combsandco

The Syrup – Small Moments That Make Life Meaningful

The success of the Pancakes for Roger campaign isn’t measured in dollars raised or photos collected. It’s about the stories people share, the memories they honor, and the way this tradition continues to bring people together.

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By Susan L. Combs | March 21, 2025 at 02:40 PM

Every February, the world joins me in honoring my dad, Major General Roger E. Combs, by taking a moment to eat pancakes and take some pics. Simple, right? But Pancakes for Roger was never really about breakfast, and to be honest, it was never just about a man who broke my heart at the end of his life when he made a simple request for a favorite food. It was about what that request represented: gratitude, connection, and the small moments that make life meaningful.

Smashing records and setting the bar even higher

In 2025, we set out with ambitious goals: raise funds for the University of Missouri School of Law Veterans Clinic and gather 1,000 photos from around the world of people celebrating Pancakes for Roger month. Well, we didn’t just meet those goals—we smashed them.

• Thanks to our generous sponsors and corporate matching donors, we raised over $13,000 for the Veterans Clinic, ensuring that those who have served our country get the legal support they need.
• We collected pancake pictures from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., as well as 25 countries, and six continents.
• And that 1,000-photo goal? We hit 1,142 submissions!

Yes, we had people eating pancakes on the beaches of New Zealand, in the mountains of Switzerland, and at kitchen tables across the U.S. We had military veterans, families, business teams, and complete strangers all taking part in something bigger than breakfast. That’s the power of a shared tradition.

More than just a meal

The success of the Pancakes for Roger campaign isn’t measured in dollars raised or photos collected. It’s about the stories people share, the memories they honor, and the way this tradition continues to bring people together.

This year, I heard from an active-duty Airman who made pancakes with his kids for the first time since returning home from deployment. A group of law students at Mizzou sat together over breakfast, discussing how they hope to help veterans through their future work. A woman in Japan told me she made pancakes in honor of her grandfather, a fellow veteran, who had passed away years ago. These are the moments that make this campaign special.

Because at its core, Pancakes for Roger is about remembering the little things — the moments we too often take for granted. It’s about slowing down, pulling up a chair, and taking a moment to be grateful. My dad knew that. And whether he was piloting CH-46 helicopters or sitting in a courtroom, he never lost sight of what mattered most.

What’s next?

This campaign started as a personal way to honor my dad, but it has grown into something bigger than I could have ever imagined. And we’re not done yet.

As a full-fledged non-profit, we are partnering with other non-profits around the country to make the greatest impact on veterans’ needs as we grow our endowment fund. Our mission is clear:

Creating pathways to improve the lives of veterans and their communities.

With the continued support of this incredible community, we will create lasting change for those who have served.

Thank you!

To everyone who participated, donated, shared, and made Pancakes for Roger 2025 a success—thank you. You are part of something special. And I know my dad is looking down, smiling, probably wondering how the hell we got we got a mule and a pig to pose for pancake pics!

I would also be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to acknowledge something else: Being a part of the insurance industry has afforded me the ability to launch this non-profit. The relationships I’ve built, the opportunities I’ve had, and the people who have stepped up to help have been instrumental in taking Pancakes for Roger to the next level.

A special thank you to some incredible individuals from our industry who have gone above and beyond this year through their efforts:

Eric Silverman, Angela Kidd, Antinea Martin, Allison De Paoli, Stephanie Berger, Jolene Bibian, Dr. Cristin Dickerson, Dawn McFarland, Taylor Miles, Jenny Weaver, Talia Hansen, Marie Goldbeck-Strunk, Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim, Juli McNeely, Kyle Gorman, Ali Goodwin, Sara Walker Hite, Amanda Brewton, Colleen Blum, David Mordo, David Smith, Lisa Laliberte, Robin Tefft, and Julie Parks.

So, as we look ahead, let’s keep the momentum going, keep lifting up our Veterans, and most importantly — keep the syrup flowing.

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