Breakfast Shoppe Honors Taylor Wild with Fundraiser

The day before Lance Cpl. William Taylor Wild IV left for training in California he stopped by The Breakfast Shoppe for some Chicken and Waffles with his brother and sister in tow.

Owner Kyle Algaze said the dish wasn’t on the menu that day, but he made them especially for Taylor. Algaze said Taylor’s brother Griffin teased that Taylor always got what he wanted.

That’s just one memory Algaze and The Breakfast Shoppe family is left with now that Taylor Wild is gone. Wild, 21, a Severna Park High School graduate, was among seven Marines killed during a training exercise March 18 in Nevada.

“It was just a nice story that he was here and his brother joked about it,” Algaze said. “It’s a neat thing we will always remember him by.”

The Wild family are regulars at The Breakfast Shoppe. Algaze said Taylor’s dad Bill comes in a few times a week. At Taylor Wild’s viewing, his mom Betz told Algaze it was one of his favorite places. When Wild joined the Marines the restaurant put a brick up to remember him by while he was away.

Now, The Breakfast Shoppe and the rest of the Severna Park community is left to mourn the loss of Wild, and reflect on the memories of him they have stashed away like mini treasures.

“We miss him dearly and our hearts go out to his family and friends at this time,” Algaze said.

Wild's passing has been hard on The Breakfast Shoppe staff. Algaze said the past week has been difficult for everyone and he wanted to do something to help, which is why he is starting a fundraiser in Taylor’s honor.

After asking Bill Wild for a suggestion, Algaze decided to start collecting money for Friends of the Fallen, a support group of volunteers located at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. The group provides assistance to families of the fallen.

Bill Wild told Algaze that when they went to greet Taylor’s body at Dover, a member from Friends of the Fallen was already there—making brownies and providing support.

“Bill suggested Friends of the Fallen and said they don’t get enough recognition for what they do. I thought I could help with that,” Algaze said.

From now until Memorial Day, every Breakfast Shoppe customer who makes a donation to Friends of the Fallen will have their name on a card honoring Taylor Wild hung on the wall. A donation will be presented to Friends of the Fallen in Wild’s behalf on Memorial Day.

The Breakfast Shoppe will be handing out letters to describe the fundraiser in more details. To make a donation, just stop by the restaurant in Park Plaza. 

“Taylor was a brother, son and a friend who held our country in the highest regard. He gave the ultimate sacrifice, and it is our goal to honor him in any way possible,” Algaze wrote in the letter. “On Behalf of a Grateful Nation, thank you Taylor. We miss you.”

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For more on Lance Cpl. William Taylor Wild IV, click here.