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Northwest Hillsborough Events Salute Memorial Day

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Northwest News & Tribune

Published: May 19, 2008

NORTHWEST Local veterans groups are planning several events over the Memorial Day weekend in Keystone and Town 'N Country to honor those who died in military service to their country.

Additionally, free tours of the SS American Victory, a World War II-era cargo ship berthed in the Channelside district in downtown Tampa, will be offered Thursday though Monday to retired and active merchant mariners, veterans of all wars and active-duty personnel.

On Sunday, American Legion Post 147 in Odessa will mark the 25th anniversary of Keystone United Methodist Church's participation in Memorial Day services.

Post officials will present a certificate of commendation to the Rev. Bob Wooten during the 8:30 and 11 a.m. church services to thank the church for its participation.

All veterans are invited to attend either service. During the 11 a.m. service, two members of the post's auxiliary unit will present wreaths in memory of prisoners of war and those missing in action.

Keystone United Methodist Church, established in 1868, is located at 16301 Race Track Road.

Legion officials say the church has a longstanding reputation for support of community activities, not the least of which is patriotism. Post 147 is at 17413 Gunn Highway.

At 11 a.m. Monday, Post 147 will hold a Memorial Day service at Keystone Park, 17928 Gunn Highway. The public is invited.

In the Town 'N Country area, American Legion Post 152 at 11211 Sheldon Road has obtained a special license to open its post to the public Saturday through Monday. The lounge will offer karaoke and fun and games, where patrons dress in sports attire, on Saturday night and will have a dart tournament Sunday night. The post caters to crowds of mixed ages and is open from 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday.

At the post on Monday, there will be an antique car show from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and a Memorial Day service at 3 p.m., with the release of patriotic balloons. A cookout will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday, with hamburgers, hot dogs and fries for sale.

In Tampa, the 63-year-old American Victory, a veteran of World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars, will be on display. The ship is open for tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and Monday. Tours on Sunday will be offered from noon to 4 p.m.

Admission for those not offered the free tours is $8 for adults, $4 for children 4 to 12 and free for children 3 and younger. Discounts are available for seniors, visitors holding Florida Aquarium ticket stubs, AAA members and groups of 10 or more.

Visitors get to view the ongoing work to restore this ship, which is a functioning, 1940s-era merchant vessel.

The tour takes visitors through the three-level cargo holds, radio and gyrocompass rooms, hospital, galley, weaponry, reefers, steering stations, flying bridge, signaling equipment, wheelhouse, mess rooms, crew and officer cabins, chartroom, lifeboats and cargo equipment. Closed-circuit hookups allow a view of the engine room.

Tribune staff

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