SARASOTA, Fla. — The Kirk Pinkerton, PA law firm in Sarasota recently made a $1,000 sponsorship donation for the 5th Annual Florida Fun Shoot presented by Operation Patriot Support, an all-volunteer organization that is dedicated to supporting veterans, law enforcement, first responders that have been wounded, injured or are otherwise in need and their families, including this area’s Gold Star Families.
On Friday, Feb. 16, over 180 participated in the Florida Fun Shoot at Sarasota Gun Club, including Bill Robertson, Kirk Pinkerton’s CEO and a personal injury attorney with the firm. Kirk Pinkerton attorney Elisha Robertson, combat-wounded veteran Charles Lemon Kieth Hagen and John Robertson joined Robertson on the team. The sporting clay event honored the Gold Star Families, veterans, law enforcement and first responders in attendance.
“People always thank us for these events, but to us, functions like this are all about the people we support,” said Dave Pfeiffer, president of Operation Patriot Support. “We are simply the conduit for our sponsors to reach them. The donations through these events allow us to provide for these veterans, fire responders and law enforcement officers. Sponsors like Kirk Pinkerton are what make us successful and without them, we couldn’t do it.”
In years past, the event celebrated Medal of Honor recipients, wounded Special Operations warriors and many others. This year, the MAC-V-SOG Special Forces were recognized. The Studies and Observations Group MAC-V-SOG was a top-secret, joint unconventional warfare task force under the command of the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV). The U.S. Army Special Forces’ “Green Berets” ran top-secret missions into North Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. The Green Berets assigned to MAC-V-SOG retain the record as the most decorated with 12 Congressional Medals of Honor, 102 Distinguished Service Crosses and hundreds of Silver Star Medals and Bronze Star Medals.
John Stryker Meyer (call sign “Tilt”), a Green Beret hero of MAC-V-SOG, shared his story and the now declassified missions he and his fellow Green Berets completed. Meyer and a fellow retired Green Beret served as ambassadors for the shoot and rode the course shaking hands and personally greeting all the participants.
“Growing up with my family’s history of service, I learned early on that all the freedoms we enjoy are due to the American soldiers who protect us around the globe,” said Robertson, whose family military service dates back to the Civil War when his great-great-grandfather fought for the Confederacy in the 7th Tennessee Infantry. “I had the privilege and honor to meet and shoot with a number of our country’s noble veterans. It’s a cause I’m truly passionate about and happy to contribute to.”
The event has risen over $250,000 in four years, with an average growth of approximately 30 percent per year.
Along with direct support to individuals, the Operation Patriot Support partners with, and provides funds to, select other organizations that have a like-minded purpose to support the men and women serving as well as retired military, law enforcement and first responders. The organization offers support with assistance for specific needs and by providing our heroes the opportunity to enjoy fellowship and outings to hunt, fish and shoot.
With more than 30 years of law experience, Robertson, a Sarasota native and fifth generation attorney, represents clients throughout the state who have been injured or lost a loved one as the result of another’s negligence.
About Kirk Pinkerton, PA
Kirk Pinkerton, P.A. has been serving Sarasota and Manatee counties with distinction since 1926, representing prominent clients and Sarasota pioneers like John Ringling. Since that time, the law firm has continued to provide clients with quality, results-driven legal services at the highest level. For more information, visit www.KirkPinkerton.com.