Florida Fun Shoot at Lakewood Ranch to benefit Southeastern Guide Dogs Paws for Patriots program

MANATEE -- Moved by the valor of members of the U.S. military serving in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, to say nothing about their respect for the veterans in their own families, Pete Skokas and Dave Pfeiffer sat down several years ago to think about what to do for wounded veterans.

From that skull session, the men, members of the same church Bible group, decided to combine their love of outdoor sports with a desire to help vets through a fun shoot at Ancient Oak Gun Club at Lakewood Ranch.

Now in its third year, the Florida Fun Shoot sporting clay event will begin at 8 a.m. Feb. 19. Southeastern Guide Dogs' Paws for Patriots program has been se

lected as beneficiary.

"It's a passion for all of us," Pfeiffer said of a core group including Pete and Mike Skokas, and John Hinson.

They organized this year's fun shoot under the umbrella of 501(c)(3) nonprofit applicant Operation Patriot Support. The nonprofit is an all-volunteer organization.

More than 140 shooters have registered for the Florida Fun Shoot.

"We will get a surge of other people signing up," Pfeiffer said.

Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient Garry Littrell will appear at the fun shoot.

Littrell, a sergeant first class serving with the U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, distinguished himself while serving as a light weapons infantry adviser with the 23d Battalion, 2nd Ranger Group from April 4-8, 1970, according to his Medal of Honor citation.

The citation reads: "Repeatedly abandoning positions of relative safety, he directed artillery and air support by day and marked the unit's location by night, despite the heavy, concentrated enemy fire. His dauntless will instilled in the men of the 23d Battalion a deep desire to resist. Assault after assault was repulsed as the battalion responded to the extraordinary leadership and personal example exhibited by Sfc. Littrell as he continuously moved to those points most seriously threatened by the enemy, redistributed ammunition, strengthened faltering defenses, cared for the wounded and shouted encouragement to the Vietnamese in their own language. When the beleaguered battalion was finally ordered to withdraw, numerous ambushes were encountered. Sfc. Littrell repeatedly prevented widespread disorder by directing air strikes to within 50 meters of their position."

Also to be honored are about one dozen Gold Star Mothers who lost a child in America's wars.

The day will also feature several wounded warriors taking part in the fun shoot, as well as skydivers landing at Ancient Oak Gun Club, 16800 State Road 64 East.

There will be raffles and an auction with prizes including hunting and fishing trips, ammunition boxes signed by Medal of Honor recipients, and more.

Sponsorships and individual and team shooting opportunities are still available. Sponsorships start at $750 per team, while individual shooting registration is available at $175 per person.

For contact and shooting information, visit oscfloridafunshoot.com.

James A. Jones Jr., East Manatee reporter, can be contacted at 941-745-7053 or on Twitter @jajones1.

This story was originally published February 10, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Florida Fun Shoot at Lakewood Ranch to benefit Southeastern Guide Dogs Paws for Patriots program ."