June 2021 Mini-Beacon

June 2021 Mini-Beacon

In this issue: Fireworks, Command Sergeant Major Gary Lee Littrell, and it’s never too late to pay your dues…
June 26th Pride Picnic + Fireworks

This weekend marks the end of the month-long PrideFest.  On Saturday, enjoy an evening along the beautiful downtown waterfront with picnics, musical performances, and a fireworks display.

Click here for more information and to purchase $5 tickets. 

July 4th Fireworks Return to the St. Pete Water Front

“The Fourth” Independence Day Celebration at the St. Pete Pier

This 3-day event is filled with fun activities for all, including the inaugural St. Pete Pier Run, Silent Disco, Gulp Coast Craft Beer Garden, Food Trucks & Vendors, Pie Eating Contest, Live Music on the Visit St. Pete Clearwater Main Stage, Karaoke, Independence Day Movie, roaming entertainers, and so much more!

The traditional Fourth of July fireworks show sponsored by the City of St. Pete is scheduled for Sunday, July 4th, at 9 pm and will be visible from the entire Downtown waterfront, including Bayshore Dr., Straub Parks, Vinoy Park, and others.

For other ideas on how to celebrate July 4th across Tampa Bay:  https://www.visitstpeteclearwater.com/event-guide/fourth-of-july-festivities

If you are staying home to celebrate, be a Good Neighbor on the 4th of July…

A few tips for being considerate to your neighbors that may be trying to sleep, have young children or pets:

  • Only blow stuff up on the 4th of July.  Many pet owners have a plan in place for 4th of July, but not the entire weekend.
  • Stop the noise by 10 p.m.  Some noise is to be expected, but not into the wee hours of the morning.
  • Be mindful of street traffic.  Don’t use the middle of the road as your staging area.
  • Only use legal fireworks.  Nobody wants their roof catching on fire.
  • Clean up after yourself.  Fireworks can be messy, but also leave behind sharp bits that can injure bare feet or puncture tires.
This issue of the Mini-Beacon is brought to you by paid advertisers, NextHome South Point and Solar Mania USA.  A big thank you to these supporters of our neighborhood!

June 14th FLAG DAY and July 4th INDEPENDENCE DAY

A thoroughfare named after you is a big deal.  It means you have come to the attention of a lot of people for a some very important reasons.  And you get your name stamped on a street sign.  A ceremony may mark the occasion along with a citation of the events triggering the honor.  And then what?  People drive along the road. The sign becomes part of the landscape. And people may stop noticing.

One such sign stands on the west bound lane of Pinellas Bayway between 37th Street South entrance to Maximo Moorings and the 41st Street South entrance to Maximo Moorings.  It honors Command Sergeant Major Gary Lee Littrell.

Here is the background on the designation: 
Command Sergeant Major Gary Lee Littrell Medal of Honor Causeway and Bridge
During its 2010 session, The Florida Legislature passed House Bill 5, Section 3 which provided for the designation State Road 682 (Pinellas Bayway) from State Road 699 (Gulf Boulevard) to US 19 as “Command Sergeant Major Gary Lee Littrell Medal of Honor Causeway and Bridge”.  On October 21, 2010, the St. Petersburg City Council approved the request.  The full text of the citation from the Medal of Honor Citation database is provided below.

Command Sergeant Major Gary Lee Littrell is a current resident of St. Pete Beach. Here is one of his quotes:  “To our youth, don’t give in to peer pressure. If it’s wrong, say no. Your peers will respect you for it and you will be my hero!”
The President of the United States, authorized by Act of Congress, March 3, 1863, has awarded in the name of The Congress the Medal of Honor to SERGEANT FIRST CLASS GARY L. LITTRELL UNITED STATES ARMY
Rank and organization: Sergeant First Class, U.S. Army, Advisory Team 21, 11 Corps Advisory Group. place and date: Kontum province, Republic of Vietnam, 4-8 April 1970. Entered service at: Los Angeles, Calif. Born: 26 October 1944, Henderson, Ky. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sergeant. 1st Class. Littrell, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, Advisory Team 21, distinguished himself while serving as a Light Weapons Infantry Advisor with the 23d Battalion, 2d Ranger Group, Republic of Vietnam Army, near Dak Seang. After establishing a defensive perimeter on a hill on April 4, the battalion was subjected to an intense enemy mortar attack which killed the Vietnamese commander, 1 advisor, and seriously wounded all the advisors except Sergeant. 1st Class. Littrell. During the ensuing 4 days, Sergeant. 1st Class Littrell exhibited near superhuman endurance as he single-handedly bolstered the besieged battalion. 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 Sergeant. 1st Class. 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. Sergeant. 1st Class. Littrell repeatedly prevented widespread disorder by directing air strikes to within 50 meters of their position. Through his indomitable courage and complete disregard for his safety, he averted excessive loss of life and injury to the members of the battalion. The sustained extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by Sergeant. 1st Class. Littrell over an extended period of time were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him and the U.S. Army.

It’s never too late to pay your annual dues…

2021 Dues Form

Here are convenient ways to pay your dues:

  • Pay online at:  Maximo-Moorings.com
  • Mail your check to: Maximo Moorings Community Association; 4905 34th Street S.,  #207; St. Petersburg, FL 33711
  • VENMO:  Carol-Hansen-21
  • Call Carol Hansen – (credit cards) 727-235-2892
Would you like to advertise your business in the Mini-Beacon?  Email Tracy Earle to discuss opportunities.

Is there a topic you would like to see in the next issue of the Mini-Beacon?  Please let us know, email: communications@maximo-moorings.com

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