Two veterans and a (future) firefighter: St. Pete Beach Mayor Maria Lowe, left, a veteran of the U.S. Army, poses with Korean War veteran George Stone of Seminole (Army Airborne) in front of an American flag after a rainstorm washed out a fundraising event sponsored by the Veterans of South Pinellas County in Horan Park in St. Pete Beach on Saturday, March 19. With them is Ian St. John of Lutz, 9, whose mother, Michelle St. John, is a lieutenant in the St. Pete Beach Fire Department. Asked whether he planned a military career in the future, Ian said: “Kind of, but I’m mostly hoping to become a firefighter like my mom.”
A violent rainstorm disrupted a fundraising event sponsored by the Veterans of South Pinellas County in Horan Park in St. Pete Beach on Saturday, March 19.
Harry Metz, president of the Veterans of South Pinellas County, said the threat of bad weather dampened turnout and fundraising possibilities even before the rain forced organizers to suspend the 6th Annual Salute to the Military in the early afternoon.
“We tried,” he said.
The fundraiser included a car show, food, vendors and live music. This year’s benefactors were Building Homes for Heroes, Support the Troops and Heaven on Earth. For more information, call 727-322-5217.
