Veterans Memorial Park marks expansion

Jeannette Green stood in the shade Tuesday at Veterans Memorial Park, where dozens of veterans, military supporters and county officials turned out for a groundbreaking ceremony for an expansion.

Green, who retired from the Navy in 1971, applauded the $2.5 million project to renovate the park's roads, trails, parking and caretaker areas and add signage and special events bleachers.

"This will be a living tribute to those who died for our country," Green said.

Events and rotating educational displays are common throughout the year at the 3,652-square-foot museum and 35-acre park, which is off U.S. 301 on the banks of the Tampa Bypass Canal.

The Hillsborough County Veterans Council has partnered with the county to see the project through. The improvements will be paid for with $1.5 million in Community Investment Tax money and $1 million in property tax revenue.

Plans awaiting funding call for construction of 11 outdoor theater of war displays, a veterans office to serve the public and a new two-story museum building.

Leonard Black, council president, said the county commission agreed to consider matching any money veterans groups can raise for the final phases.

"It's going to be a challenge because donations are down," Black said.

The volunteer pool at veterans organizations, he said, also is dwindling.

Mary Ellen Harlan, council secretary, said that as veterans die, their relatives are needed to step up and help organize events to honor the veterans. Her husband, a Navy pilot during WW II and the Korean War, died while serving his country.

"The tears that have been shed by family members can be turned into tributes to their loved ones," she said.

Veterans council member Tom Fletcher said the park expansion is expensive but priceless.

"We draw a lot of military and retired military who migrate here for health care and other services provided by the federal government," Fletcher said. "Between MacDill Air Force Base and James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, this park is sitting in the catbird seat."

For information, call the museum at (813) 744-5502.

PAYING THE BILLS

Hillsborough County's Community Investment Tax is a half-penny sales tax approved by voters in September 1996. Since its inception, the tax has generated more than $993.7 million to fund capital improvement projects in the areas of education, public safety, transportation, water, wastewater, reclaimed water, stormwater, community stadiums, parks, libraries, museums and government facilities.

Source: www.hillsboroughcounty.org