Dennis K. Larry
Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce
c/o A&A Scottish Rite, PO Box 12372, Pensacola, Florida 32582–2372

There are kids who unfortunately begin life on this planet, Without tools to hear, which we take for granted; What's more, there are children who really must reach, Far beyond what is ordinarily needed, just to have speech.

To be able to speak and to be understood, Is a gift that's a treasure, it's more than just good! Imagine for a moment the sad life it would be, To be unable to express feelings; one wouldn't feel free.

Though not always obvious, it is not uncommon, For children very early to become quite withdrawn; Silence and reclusiveness are sadly their retreat, For the quite simple reason, they are unable to speak.

To solve this tough problem there is help in sight, Through contributions made by the Scottish Rite; There are thousands of kids whose futures are bright, Because this fine group works to make things right.

They have sponsored our program for this civic breakfast, And have sponsored, more important, a clinic at Baptist; This clinic works miracles on each and every day, For children who are taught how to hear and how to say.

Dennis K. Larry is one of Pensacola's leading attorneys and a member of the Greater Pensacola Chamber of Commerce. He serves as the Master of Ceremonies for the Chamber's monthly "Gopher Club" Breakfast usually attended by 250 to 300 members. He is renowned for his poetic verse artistry and at each meeting has a poem about the guest speaker or the sponsoring agency. On June 8, 1999, the Pensacola Florida Scottish Rite Center was the sponsoring agency and presented a program about the Florida Scottish Rite Childhood Learning Disorders Clinics (one is located in Pensacola at the Baptist Health Care Foundation). During his introduction of the morning's program, Mr. Larry read the above poem he had composed the night before the meeting. Mr. Larry also serves as Master of Ceremonies for the Pensacola Scottish Rite Annual Flag Day Program which is held in Seville Square in Downtown Historic Pensacola, Florida, each year.