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Letter to the editor

Retired general brings out down-home charm

By MARY JANE PARK
Published May 8, 2005

"Ain't this a great country? Ain't it?"

Gen. Tommy Franks' vernacular approach charmed civic leaders Wednesday morning at a breakfast to benefit the Police Athletic League.

"I'm a corny guy, and y'all just gotta put up with it," he said to appreciative laughter.

Franks lives in Tampa, where he headed U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base. He retired in 2003 as a four-star general, earned numerous service awards and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. That's an impressive resume by any standard.

It was surprising to hear him tell the crowd gathered at the Hilton St. Petersburg that he had a "distinctly mediocre career" in high school and flunked out of the University of Texas after two years. Shortly after that, he enlisted in the Army.

"Were it not for community activities like PAL," he said, "I wouldn't be here today."

President Bill Clinton promoted the general and put him in charge of CentCom in June 2000. That meant overseeing operations in 25 countries whose citizens represent all of the world's major religions. They "looked like cats fightin' in a sack," Franks said. "Then a new crop of dukes came into power."

On Sept. 11, 2001, "America changed forever," he said. "Terrorism is a greater problem than terrorists," he said of ongoing U.S. military operations.

"Cowboy up," he said. "Get ready for a long ride. There's no instant gratification. No. We can't just get it done."

St. Petersburg's PAL is in its 45th year and serves nearly 500 children in summer and after-school programs, board president Chris Ferguson said.

Several hundred government, business and civic leaders attended Wednesday's event, among them police Chief Chuck Harmon, Assistant Chief Luke Williams, Mayor Rick Baker, Chief Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judg e David Demers, Jim Henderson, Terry McCarthy, John Wing, Lerric Boyd, Richard Winning, Mary Ann Renfrow, Luanne Ferguson, Bruce Harding, Cary Putrino, Ed Camejo, John Higgins, Kim Horstman, Bob Blakley, Tim Bogott, Roy Binger, Murray Silverstein, Robert Lovejoy, Jerry Kendall, David an d Lynn Cox, Bill an d Kally Harvard, Liz Curry, Rick Rutan an d Vern Farnsworth.

Family Service Centers honored Calvin and Ruth Harris on Thursday, naming them family of the year.

The couple, both Pinellas natives and retired educators, have been energetic community volunteers. Last year, they founded the Student Development Center after-school tutoring and mentoring program for at-risk children in Clearwater's Greenwood neighborhood. Cal Harris is a Pinellas commissioner who was appointed in 1997 and elected thereafter.

The award honored other members of their family: daughter Cassandra, son Eric and son Randall, his wife, Michelle, and their children, Jaden an d Daniel. Mrs. Harris' sister, Carolyn Lofton, and Commissioner Harris' brother and sister, William Harris and Mary McGarrah, also were present for the tribute.

Mayors of nearly every city in the county attended the luncheon, held in the dining room at Feather Sound Country Club. Many of Harris' colleagues on the Board of County Commissioners and numerous other elected officials also were there. The family received an American flag that flew over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, and FSC board chairman Malcolm King read a letter of appreciation sent by U.S. Rep. Mike Bilirakis.

Gibbs High School senior Keti Krekovic, stole the show, however, remembering that she had met Cal Harris when she was a volunteer at SPIFFS, the St. Petersburg Folk Fair Society. He gave her his business card, which she tucked into a mirror at home.

Three years after that, she was trying to help a cousin find a soccer team sponsor. She remembered the commissioner and called him to ask for support.

The soccer team got financial backing, and Krekovic later worked as an intern for Harris.

"We almost gave up," she said. "We'll never forget it."

Sue Malmad and Elise Minkoff were co-chairwomen of the event, where the crowd included previous Family of the Year honorees Barbara and Bob Ulrich, Dan Doyle, Frances and Gus Stavros and son Paul; FSC president and chief executiv e Mary Jo Monahan; Ronnie Duncan; Tony Collins; Sarah Lonquist; Betty Hayward; Bill Heller; Mary Wyatt Allen; Jillian Doyle; Marty Wallace; Patsy Buker; Nancy Loehr; Phyllis King; Michele Routh; Noah Lagos; David Vetter; Ginny Rowell; Marcus Greene; Tommy Minkoff; Melody Stang; Jeff Howells; Lisa Johni; Watson Haynes; Isay Gulley; Chris Warren; and Kim Butcher.

The Woman's Service League, which raises money through its annual Fashion Show and Promenade, is accepting grant applications from organizations that serve Pinellas County.

To be eligible, nonprofits must be listed under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code.

Additional information and applications may be received by calling 392-4500 or 866-0202. The deadline for applications is July 31.

On-the-Towners take note: Event planners already are confirming dates for 2005-2006 charity benefits. Please submit information for the annual Social Calendar (including sponsoring group, date, time, venue address, ticket price and publishable phone number) to me at the address below.

Thursday

PARC BREAKFAST: Celebrates 52nd anniversary of Pinellas Association for Retarded Children. 8-9:15 a.m. St. Petersburg Yacht Club, 11 Central Ave. $20. 345-9111, ext. 383.

ART OF GIVING BREAKFAST: Women's Leadership network, United Way of Tampa Bay, event features artist Erik Wahl. 7:30-9 a.m. Club B, Raymond James Stadium, 4116 N Himes Ave., Gate B, Tampa. Donations requested. (813) 274-0913.

Friday

THE FUTURE'S SO BRIGHT MARTINI PARTY: Salvador Dali Museum's Zodiac Group fundraiser features hors d'oeuvres, martinis, music, sale of artists' lamp-shade creations. 7-9 p.m. The Bank nightclub, 1919 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. $25 members; $35 nonmembers. 823-3767.

Saturday

SERTOMA DINNER, DANCE AND AUCTION: Benefits community charities. 7-11 p.m. Family Community Services Center, 7655 38th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. $50. 867-5614.

Mary Jane Park can be reached at 727 893-8267; fax (727) 893-8675; e-mail park@sptimes.com P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.

[Last modified May 8, 2005, 00:45:19]