How This Journey Started:
The Creation of "Baking for Veterans"
My Husband, My Father, and Me
My adventure includes the stories of two remarkable men who profoundly impacted my life: my father, Lt. Col. James F. Philbin, and my husband, Sergeant Rudolph Speckamp (Rudy). Their dedication to serving our country shaped who they were and inspired the path I walk today.
It all began with the example set by Lt. Col. James F. Philbin, who devoted 28 years of his life to the United States Air Force. As a pilot flying C-119s during World War II, his love for his country and the military was unmatched. He instilled in me a deep sense of patriotism and a profound appreciation for the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women.
Rudy's story is one of resilience and passion. Born in Kaufbeuren, Germany, he was one of six boys. At age fourteen, Rudy began his culinary journey, embarking on an apprenticeship program that took him around the world, mastering various cuisines. At age 22, he moved to the United States to attend Cornell's prestigious Cooking School. Six months after his arrival, he was drafted by the Army but chose to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. After completing basic training, Rudy was deployed to Vietnam, where he served for 18 months. During his service, he was exposed to herbaceous gasses, which later affected his health and led to his untimely passing.
After his honorable discharge, Rudy returned to New Haven, Connecticut, to continue his culinary career. He eventually relocated to Owings Mills, Maryland, where he became an Executive Chef and manager at Samuel Owings 1767. It was there that we met and began pursuing our dream of owning our own restaurants.
First, we opened Capriccio Restaurant in Baltimore's ''Little Italy" and later Rudys' 2900 in Finksburg, Maryland, which we owned for 23 years. Rudy's culinary talents earned him numerous accolades, including becoming a Certified Master Chef and a member of the U.S, Culinary Olympic Team, where he won three gold medals.
After selling our restaurants, Rudy shared his expertise as an Associate Professor and Consultant for The Culinary institute of America (CIA) in Hyde Park, NY, for 12 years training veterans from the Wounded Warrior Project. He also had the honor of teaching military personnel who served President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush at Camp David, updating their menus and teaching them to cook.
In his 12th year at the CIA, Rudy was asked to teach at the CIA school in Singapore. Unfortunately, it was there that he fell ill due to the activation of the Amyloid Protein in his body-a condition known as Amyloidosis, which was a consequence of his exposure to herbaceous gases in Vietnam. Rudy passed away on September 11, 2017. He loved the United States deeply and was immensely grateful for all he had achieved. The support I received from the Veterans Administration was tremendous, and it inspired me to "give back."
In honor of Rudy and my father and to express my gratitude, I decided to use the skills I developed as a restauranteur to bake and donate desserts to veterans. My journey in creating "Baking for Veterans" began three years ago when I was diagnosed with an immune deficiency that prevents me from socializing with others. Being so isolated, I decided to channel my energy into serving veterans. Baking allows me to contribute while remaining safe. All my supplies are delivered to my door, and a veteran, Danny LaDuke, kindly picks up several boxes of baked goods from my building to deliver to the Veterans Administration.
This initiative has been so well received that I developed a 501c3 nonprofit organization to further help veterans, with hopes of creating a scholarship for them in the future.
Honoring Veterans With Sweet Gratitude
Baking for Veterans Inc. was founded with a shared vision to express heartfelt gratitude to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country. Through our veterans baked goods donations, we continue to fulfill this mission, offering a touch of sweetness and support to those who served. As a non-profit bakery, our sole purpose is to spread joy and appreciation.
Show Your Support
Join us in honoring our Veterans by contributing to our cause or sharing our mission with others.