Third annual Veterans of South Pinellas County (VSPC) Charity Pancake Breakfast, Parade and Street Fair Friday-Saturday, April 12-13, will benefit the “Building Homes for Heroes” (BHfH) program for local area wounded veterans.
This year’s honoree is Staff Sergeant Charles Claybaker, a US Army Ranger severely injured in Afghanistan in January 2010. While on a special operations mission in the Kabul Province, the US Air Force CV-22 Osprey aircraft he was riding in crashed. SSG Claybaker and his wife Kandice were selected to receive a home in St. Petersburg. The VSPC plans to assist the couple with additional renovations to this home after the couple takes possession of the property later this spring.
The Friday evening “Salute to the Military Parade” in Pass-A-Grille will feature over 60 entries including a military Color Guard from the Boca Ciega High School ROTC, all five branches of the military and the Florida National Guard, the Lakewood High Spartan Marching Band and Admiral Farragut Academy Band, floats, military personnel with their vehicles and equipment, antique cars and fire engines.
This will be followed by a Street Fair in front of The Hurricane, featuring a Flag Raising, US Army Induction Ceremony, entertainment including the Chick-fil-A Cow with Baby Cow, food vendors, a Military Vehicle and Equipment Display, and more fun events for the kids.
Saturday morning brings a unique experience on the roof-top of the Hurricane Restaurant with vistas from the Gulf of Mexico to the Grand Canal. Enjoy a gourmet pancake breakfast prepared by Chef Bruce Muncy, stepson of VSPC member Howard Fletcher, along with his staff from the Seminole Hard Rock Casino. You will also be able to partake of one of the most liked of military meals, “SOS.”
More than 20 items will be up for auction in the Sealed Bid Tent next to the Hurricane. Items offered include hotel stays, helicopter rides, specially filled cigar humidors, fishing equipment and a motorcycle training course worth over $400.
After breakfast, the fun will continue at the street level between 9th and 10th Avenue, and throughout historic Pass-A-Grille Park. Included will be live music entertainment, informational booths, Fire Engine rides, a live Magic Show, and games for kids with a Basketball Shoot-Out, Football Toss and a Fishing Tournament at Merry Pier.
VSPC & Event History
The organization was founded in 2004 by Bill Allen. Allen served in the US Army in Korea, where he was captured and spent three years in a North Korean prison. He had always done charity work for local and national military organizations. The Veterans of South Pinellas was originally named the Veterans of Tierra Verde since most members were locals. The group reached about 30 members in 2008 then quickly dwindled to only a handful after the passing of many WWII and Korean veterans. By 2010, the group was considering disbanding due to their declining membership.
In late 2010, Brooks Cavender, Howard Fletcher, Bill Allen, John Mowry and Don Schmidt decided to try to revive the group by participating in the annual Tierra Verde Garage Sale sponsored by the Tierra Verde Women’s Group. The members donated items to be sold and raised $500 for the Fisher House.
As Don Schmidt recalls, “The big news was that we had three new members join our group so Howard and Brooks recommended that we try a Pancake Breakfast in April 2011. I asked the Falkensteins at the Hurricane Restaurant if they would host such an event on their rooftop. They agreed and the expectation was for 50 to 100 people to show up for pancakes with the money earned going to St. Pete Beach Support Our Troops and Wounded Warriors. Our group was shocked when over 250 showed up to eat pancakes and enjoy the morning event. The two charities were given a check for approximately $1,300 each after the breakfast.
“Six new members joined the group, mostly Vietnam era Veterans who had been somewhat reluctant to join, and we took the new name, Veterans of South Pinellas. Medal of Honor recipient, Gary Littrell, joined the group at this point, which prompting more interest and more new members. The US Army Recruiting Station in St. Petersburg offered to assist with future events to familiarize the local citizens of the Militarie’s Capabilities.
“In 2012 the concept expanded into a Military Fair and Pancake Breakfast with the Recruiters bringing Humvees and recreational equipment for the children. The 320th MP Company in St. Petersburg brought three pieces of substantial military hardware to the event including a Tank Wreckar, ASV Armored Vehicle and a Combat Ready Humvee to share. Numerous weapons were displays were included with storyboards explained what the weapon’s capabilities.
“Pancakes were again served at the top of the Hurricane. Over 800 people enjoyed the pancakes that morning and an estimated 2,000 enjoyed the Street Fair and meeting all the active military personnel demonstrating the equipment and weapons. Chase Bank and BB&T Insurance sponsored the event, along with many local businesses and individuals.
“Now we were 40 strong and were fortunate that Howard’s stepson Bruce Muncy was a Chef at the Hard Rock Café. He volunteered with his team to cook that morning, in addition to the staff at the Hurricane. “We donated around $2,600 to St. Pete Beach Support Our Troops and about $7,200 to Building Homes for Heroes. We became involved with BHFH when Gary Littrell and several of our members were invited to attend a “key ceremony” for Sgt. Joel Tavera, one of the most seriously wounded soldiers from Iraq. BHfH had built him a beautiful home, with more details on their website. “Our group was so impressed that we decided to work as much as possible with BHfH to assist them in fund raising for their efforts. Howard then recommended that we have a Parade to salute the U.S. Military and invite all the branches of the service to participate in 2013. Brooks, our President, suggested we try for some bands, and we were fortunate to get both Boca Ciega High School and Admiral Farragut Academy to participate.”
Dedicated Volunteers
| Event Coordinator | Don Schmidt |
| Parade Committee | Howard Fletcher, Harry Metz, Jim Williams, J.T. Boyd |
| Fund Raising Committee | Wayne MacDowell, Jim Williams, Dennis Gulkis, Howard Fletcher |
| Promotion Committee | Brooks Cavender, Howard Fletcher, John Mowry, George Stone |
| Decorations Committee | Virginia McNivens, Darla Roeker, Laurie Laurenty |
| Food/Beverage Committee | Wayne MacDowell, Harry Metz, Brooks Cavender, Jim Williams, Dave and Darla Roeker |
| Sealed Bid Auction Committee | Wayne MacDowell, Augie D’Alessio, Harry Metz |
| Fishing Tournament | Harry Metz |
| Senior Advisors | Gary Littrell, Bill Allen |
| Housing Representative | Gary Littrell |
Wayne MacDowell has been a member of the 305th Bomb Group Memorial Association for more than 35 years on behalf of his Uncle/Godfather, 1st Lt. Wright Gerke. He was a B-17 pilot who was killed on a 1943 bombing mission to Gelsenkirchen, Germany. Wayne recalls, “VSPC member, retired Sgt. Major Augie D’Alessio, knew of my interest in helping military charities as we’re both involved with the St Pete Beach Support Our Troops program. He suggested that I attend the VSPC monthly breakfast meeting and they welcomed me into the fold. It has been a privilege to help out with fund raising for this meaningful group of individuals who just don’t talk about things … get things done!”
For a sponsorship, donation and/or Pancake Breakfast tickets, contact the Veterans of South Pinellas County, a 501(c)(3) Charity,
7217 Gulf Blvd. #14-155 St Pete Beach More information from Don Schmidt – 727-592-2860 donschmidt45@yahoo.com or Wayne MacDowell – 727-360-1142 waynemacdowell@aol.com
Author: Steve Traiman
Date: April 2013