Join Us for Pancakes, Progress, and Patriotism

As chairman of the Coffee County Democratic Party, I am thrilled to invite you, your family, and your friends to a truly special event: our Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser and Future Forward Saturday meeting on July 12, 2025. This gathering will take place in the Community Room of the Coffee County Administrative Plaza, right in the heart of Manchester.

Breakfast will be served hot and fresh starting at 8:00 a.m. For just $10 per person (ages 13 and up), you can enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes, knowing that every dollar you spend goes directly to support the Manchester VFW Post 10904. Children under 13 eat free, making this a family-friendly event for all. At 9:00 a.m., we’ll transition to our Future Forward Saturday meeting, where we’ll discuss the path ahead for our community and our party.

We are honored to welcome Dr. Nathan Higdon, Vice Chair of the Tennessee Democratic Party, as our guest speaker. Dr. Higdon brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to progress and service in Tennessee. His insights will inspire us as we work together to build a brighter future for Coffee County and beyond.

Let me emphasize: we are the first and only political party in Coffee County to host a fundraiser for VFW Post 10904. This is not just a breakfast—it’s a statement of our values and our gratitude to those who have served.

Our commitment to veterans is not new, nor is it a campaign slogan. The Democratic Party has a proud and enduring legacy of supporting our military and those who have worn the uniform. From the GI Bill to expanding VA benefits, Democrats have consistently fought to ensure that our veterans receive the care, respect, and opportunities they have earned through their service.

We believe that supporting veterans means more than waving flags or offering words of thanks. It means investing in their health, their education, and their families. It means standing up for their jobs, their benefits, and their dignity—every single day.

Sadly, this commitment stands in sharp contrast to the actions of the Trump administration. Under the guise of “efficiency,” the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by figures like Pete Hegseth, has slashed thousands of federal jobs held by veterans, undermining the very stability that military service was supposed to guarantee. Hegseth’s push to privatize veterans’ healthcare and cut VA funding has been widely criticized by veterans’ advocates and former VA officials, who warn that such moves threaten the quality and accessibility of care for those who need it most.

The so-called “Big Beautiful Bill,” recently passed by Congress, is another blow. While it is celebrated by some as a legislative victory, the reality is that it includes provisions that will raise the national debt, cut essential services, and jeopardize funding for veterans’ programs. The bill’s impact is already being felt, as layoffs and budget cuts ripple through the VA and other agencies that serve those who have sacrificed for our country.

This is why our pancake breakfast fundraiser matters. It’s not just about pancakes—it’s about showing up for our veterans when others have turned their backs. It’s about living our values, not just talking about them. And it’s about building a community where service is honored, and every veteran knows they are not forgotten.

Join us on July 12. Bring your appetite, your ideas, and your commitment to a better Coffee County. Together, we can make a difference—one plate, one conversation, and one act of service at a time.

Mike Stein

Chair, Coffee Co. Democratic Party