27Jan2012
Harris Teeter, FD Buyer Honor Marine Heroes
Celebrity Chef Rick Tarantino, the Atlanta Cheesecake Co.,and others learn anew that ‘America is in great hands.’
BY PAUL CHAPA
Celebrity Chef Rick Tarantino and I recently prepared a feast honoring 12 young Marine heroes at the Second Annual Harris Teeter/Frozen & Dairy Buyer Heroes Dinner. The event was at the home of Commanding General, Major General Jon “Dog” Davis, at the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, Havelock, N.C., on Jan. 19.
Tarantino, a contributing editor at Frozen & Dairy Buyer, prepared all the food, which was provided for the second year in a row by Harris Teeter. On hand from Harris Teeter was David Melvin, manager of the New Bern, N.C. store.
HEROIC ACTS
The 12 Marines were honored for heroic acts, ranging from rendering medical aid at a motorcycle accident to the donation of a kidney for a fellow Marine’s wife who had a fatal kidney disorder. A Marine had posted an ad seeking a kidney donor, and a sergeant who did not know either of them answered without hesitation and gave one of her kidneys.
“All of your stories are very amazing,” Davis said. “You are true modern day heroes. You made courageous choices, and I am very proud of you.”
“Thank you for everything that you do,” said Tarantino. “I love opportunities like this. It is such an honor to be here with you, doing what I love.”
As one Marine was enjoying her second slice of Atlanta Cheesecake (flown in by the manufacturer especially for this occasion), she said, “This is a very humbling experience. This evening I sat in a room full of people who went out on a limb, some of them saved lives, but we all are considered heroes. That’s a really big deal!”
Don’t be surprised if you see some of these heroes at the Fourth Annual Retail Patriots event in Washington, D.C. during the National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association convention. While I’m on the subject, we’re seeking photos of people who have served so we can show them in a collage during the event. Please send a photo of yourself in uniform to paul@fdbuyer.com. As my 10 year old daughter Gabby once asked me,” I know Cousin Joe and Col. Marshall keep us safe now, but who will keep us a safe when we get old?” David, Rick and I had the honor of meeting that next generation on Jan. 19, and can tell you we’re in good hands.
