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Tampa

Festival planned for troops

A festival will welcome military personnel home and support those still deployed.

By ANNE ARSENAULT
Published March 18, 2005

Show support for soldiers serving overseas or welcome home troops who have recently returned from duty during Operation Shoebox's 2nd Annual Yellow Ribbon Festival on Saturday at Veterans Memorial Park.

The Bayshore and Lutz Patriots will kick off festivities at 9 a.m. by waving flags along U.S. 301 near the entrance of the park. Open to the public, the festival starts at 10 a.m.

Last year's event drew several hundred people, and Operation Shoebox founder Peggy Chiasson expects this year's to attract even more.

Established in February 2003, Operation Shoebox sends care packages to troops deployed across the world. Chiasson, of South Seminole Heights, began the project when her son went to Iraq with his Marine Corps unit. She wanted soldiers to know that people at home were thinking about them.

When she started the organization, Chiasson was "just a mom wanting to make a difference," she said. To date, Operation Shoebox has sent more than 28,000 packages to members of the military.

The Yellow Ribbon Festival is "just another way of letting them know that we appreciate what they're doing," Chiasson said.

She encourages attendees to bring flags, signs, yellow ribbons and banners welcoming home troops.

"It's all about the camaraderie and the unity," she said.

The free festival will feature activities for children, including a moonwalk, frog jumping show, face painting, food vendors and music by the Bear Fax band and the Little Hometown Soldiers, a group of military children from throughout the bay area.

Flag-folding and ROTC demonstrations are scheduled, and the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots of America will have helicopters and military vehicles on display.

U.S. Army Sgt. Randy Knox, who recently returned from Iraq, will share his experiences, photos and memorabilia from his tour of duty.

Several organizations, including the American Legion, Operation Homefront, the Vietnam Veterans of America and the Tampa Area Marine Parents Association, will have information booths set up throughout the park. Each branch of the military has also been invited to set up recruitment stations.

The 2nd Annual Yellow Ribbon Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Veterans Memorial Park, 3602 N U.S. 301. Admission and parking are free. The park's military museum will be open during the festival. Displays highlight the role of Florida and its residents in military campaigns throughout history. For information, call Operation Shoebox at 873-7474 or 781-6231 or visit www.operationshoebox.us

[Last modified March 17, 2005, 08:40:12]