Big Birthday Celebration at Toymakers of East Lake

Question:  How many candles does it take to celebrate your 95th birthday??  Answer:  Only two – but one has to be a nine and the other has to be a five.

Thad Pollard, a WWII veteran Seabee and a very active member of the Toymakers of East Lake, turned 95 on July 1st.  He first celebrated in Michigan with family and friends who have known him for decades.  Upon his return to Florida, the Toymakers held a surprise birthday party at the toy shop in Palm Harbor on July 4.  Members honored Thad with a Chocolate-Chocolate cake and a standing rendition of the Star Spangled Banner recorded by Whitney Houston.  Thad shared some of his life story about WWII and his time with Buick Motors.

Thad is best known around Toymakers for his Bandsaw skills as he cuts out hundreds of wooden toys for the children we serve.  But he also teamed with another Toymaker to weld and build 12 rolling paint racks that greatly increased productivity in painting over 12,000 toys and 48,000 wheels this year.  If that is not enough activity for a retired Seabee, Thad actively participates in repairing and maintaining wheel chairs that the Honor Flights veterans take to the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC.

July 4th was an inspiring day this year at Toymakers.  May God bless Thad Pollard for his service and eternal kindness to others.  And may God Bless America, and especially Thad Pollard, for service to our country.