FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Taking the shindig back to the roots of Flagler County, the local Republican Party hosted their annual Lincoln Day dinner at Cattleman’s Hall on Tuesday evening with a boots and bling, farm-to-table event, and the three most important things at the heart of it all, God, family and country.
Welcoming keynote speaker U.S. Congressman Cory Mills, better known for his actions than his words, it was a star-studded evening for the Florida Republican party faithful.
Mills, who represents Florida’s 7th District, has earned a reputation for putting Americans first, organizing rescue missions to save Americans trapped in Afghanistan after the disastrous withdrawal that left 13 American service members dead, from Israel and most recently from Haiti. Describing the 67 seconds it took to evacuate Americans from Haiti on a well-executed mission to the harrowing rescue the following day, attendees sat breathless as he recounted the experiences.
The evening was the birthday of Flagler County Republican Party Chairman Perry Mitrano’s mother-in-law 81-year-old Carol Minotti, and in addition to a surprise cake to celebrate, she was able to meet one of her favorite Congressmen, said daughter Diana Minotti.
“There was so much energy and so much love in this room tonight that it really gives me hope,” said Minotti. “She loves Cory Mills, I mean loves Cory Mills. This was like a dream come true. She got to talk to him, meet him, take pictures with him.”
Attendees included Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power, Florida Speaker of the House Paul Renner, Florida Senator Travis Hutson, Florida Representative Tom Leek and a who’s who of Flagler County Republicans, all with a message of unifying Republicans as the November election draws closer.
Flagler County Republican Party Chairman Perry Mitrano, spoke on the importance of not just allegiance to a political party as he reminded guests that in the end, it’s about being Americans, together.
“This was our Lincoln Day Dinner celebrating his fine work as president. Freeing slaves and bringing on the 13, 14 and 15th amendments which really changed the dynamic and really allowed the party to grow. We became the Grand Old Party which is now of course, the Republican Party,” shared Mitrano.
“It should be as Americans, not necessarily any other party, the goal it to promote it get it to be what it’s supposed to be, freedom, no matter what party.”
