The sun will rise
We are lurching towards normalcy , so I decided to look back at last year ’ s Docket to see what was being written . Bryan Kessler wrote that “‘ The New Normal ’ will be ‘ Back to Business ’ in no time , although Tony Mowry may already be installed as the South County Division President when it does .” He also quoted Victor Hugo from Les Misérables : “ Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise .” Well , it took longer than most predicted , but I think we can all see the dawn light creeping over the horizon .
This space typically is reserved for talk of past and upcoming events — my guess is that next year ’ s Docket articles will be celebrating the legal community here in South County . This year , however , we have had the opportunity to diverge from that script . This month we commemorate American military personnel who died in war . To honor fallen Soldiers , Sailors , Marines , Airmen , and Coast Guardsman , I drew from a favorite military podcast of mine , where the host simply reads the names of those military members killed in action over the previous year and then plays “ Taps .” Below is a partial list of local Soldiers , Marines , and Airmen killed in action from Vietnam to
SOUTH COUNTY PRESIDENT ’ S COLUMN
Anthony G . Mowry , Esq . Mowry Law Office
SOUTH COUNTY DIVISION
Iraq . Many more Sarasotans paid the ultimate price as well as sons , daughters , fathers , mothers , brothers , and sisters of our community . We remember them this month .
Army First Lieutenant Richard Grover Cleveland of Venice , died November 17 , 1968 ,
Vietnam . Army Captain Denis
Nicholas of Venice , died January 15 , 1967 , Vietnam .
Army Sergeant David Keith Deen of Nokomis , died November 9 , 1966 , Vietnam .
Air Force Captain Robert John
Edgar of Nokomis , died February 5 , 1968 , Vietnam .
President Anthony Mowry
President-Elect Patrick Reilly
Treasurer Erin Itts
Secretary AJ Stickley
Immediate Past President Bryan Kessler
Marine Private First Class David Keith Wyrick of North Port , died April 17 , 1968 , Vietnam .
Marine Sergeant Peter Woodall of Sarasota , died April 27 , 2007 , Iraq .
Army Private First Class Christopher M . North of Sarasota , died April 21 , 2007 , Iraq .
Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kyle E . Jackson of Sarasota , died January 13 , 2006 , Iraq .
“ We are the Dead . Short days ago ; We lived , felt dawn , saw sunset glow ; Loved and were loved , and now we lie ; In Flanders fields .” Your sacrifices are not forgotten .
SCD Board of Directors 2020 – 2021
DIRECTORS Lance Ball Dawn Marie Bates-Buchanan Mark Creech Jacqulyn Mack-Majka Kayla Tipple
By LINDA HARRADINE CEO , Legal Aid of Manasota
Isaac Newtown famously said , “ If I have seen further than others , it is by standing on the shoulders of giants .” Looking back at the history of Legal Aid of Manasota , this rings very true . Thirty years ago , in 1991 , a few dedicated lawyers practicing in our community created what is now known as Legal Aid of Manasota ( LAMS ). Recognizing that the legal needs of the most vulnerable residents in Sarasota and Manatee counties were not being met , they created our non-profit civil law firm to focus solely on our community and to serve only local residents . Since that time , LAMS has been the designated pro bono program , proudly serving veterans , foster children , the chronically ill , disabled
LEGAL AID OF MANASOTA
Celebrating 30 years of service to the community
persons , senior citizens , and families who have fallen on hard times .
LAMS and its pro bono partners have been instrumental in providing a critical safety net for our community by : ( 1 ) preserving homes and preventing homelessness ; ( 2 ) providing economic and financial stability ; and ( 3 ) improving safety and security for families .
For the past 30 years , LAMS has been the legal emergency room for the most vulnerable in our community . Our pro bono volunteers have donated tens of millions of dollars in free legal services and have provided countless economic benefits to our clients and the community . A 2016 study conducted on behalf of the Florida Bar Foundation found that every dollar of legal aid funding produces over $ 7 dollars worth of economic impacts . This is an astounding return on investment .
Everyone benefits from a system that treats people the same , no matter their economic situation . Legal Aid advocates for systemic reform , educates the public on their legal rights and responsibilities , and promotes health , safety and financial stability . We quietly , and profoundly , impact the lives of the most vulnerable in our community . The limited dollars we receive go directly into providing client services .
As the CEO of Legal Aid of Manasota for the past 20 years , I feel as though I am standing on the shoulders of those who came before me . Those who saw a community need and were determined to address it . I can attest to Legal Aid ’ s role as agents of social change , a process that has built on community needs of the underserved .
See LEGAL AID , Page 15
The Docket · May 2021 7