Dog Tag Bakery celebrated one of its founders, Father Rick Curry, on what would’ve been his 73rd birthday on Friday, March 18. Colleagues, friends, and family gathered at his beloved bakery to celebrate his life and his work on behalf of the disabled. His sister Denise, who is a member of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Catholic order, spoke about Father Curry from the stage she had built to feature performances from disabled veterans. Her remarks detailed how her brother never let his disability stop him and how he spent his lifetime encouraging others to do the same.

Connie Milstein, co-founder along with Curry at Dog Tag Bakery, told the story of how they came together so quickly. “I’m creating a happy gathering place for veterans to learn to bake and learn how to become entrepreneurs to Georgetown University,” said Ximena Rozo, a Dog Tag fellow who spoke about the program and how Father Curry changed her life.

Meghan Ogilvie, the CEO of Dog Tag Bakery, and Jim Curry, Father Curry’s cousin, told stories about his great sense of humor and even greater determination to make life easy for the disabled. Guests included Blue Star Families Sheila Casey, birthday girl Kathy Roth-Douquet and her husband Col. Greg Douquet. Hilary Rosen, Betsy Fischer Martin, Polson and Sandy Kanneth, Holly Page, Jacquie Bloom, Philip Dufour.

Tammy Haddad was the MC and, after the program, led the crowd in a second line parade down Wisconsin Avenue to the waterfront to celebrate Father Curry’s life. The Friday night Georgetown crowd stopped to watch the jazz band lead the paraders, who were carrying red Dog Tag umbrellas.

Father Curry would’ve loved every minute of it. Stop by Dog Tag Bakery and try a veteran-made treat. You can learn more about Dog Tag Bakery here.

Here’s a clip from the Dog Tag Second Line Parade.