PIT BULL SNAGS A SHIP

USCGC Tampa with CO Cmdr Kevin Lopez and his crew of 102 visited their adopted City from March 13^th-15^th.  The reception began about 6 am as a welcoming crew from the Tampa Navy League boarded the USCGC Tampa out in the Gulf for a ride in.

For the weekend visit, the Tampa Navy League had arranged for 30 tickets to the New York Yankee Spring training game vs. the Huston Astros for Saturday and had 3 sessions of 20 tickets each for the SEC Men's College Basketball tourney.  In addition, they visited Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium, and the USS American Victory ship, plus took part in the Mystique Crew's St. Patrick Night Parade.

Saturday evening the Tampa Navy League hosted a ship reception with the Tampa community, Sarasota, Clearwater, and Central Florida Navy Leagues.  Over 100 were in attendance and the ship put out a spread that was beyond great and was enjoyed by all. 

CO Lopez presented a ship's plaque to the Tampa Council. 

The City of Tampa, Darrell Smith, Chief of Staff of the Mayor's Office presented the CO with the Key to the City. 

The Tampa Council also presented the Sailor of the Year of the USCGC Tampa with a $200 savings bond to James Holt and a Hand Craved Personal Pen Set to the Sailor of the Quarter. 

The Tampa Council thanked the donors, Barefoot Wine, New York Yankees, SEC Men's Basketball, Busch Gardens, Tampa Port Authority, Aquarium, and the USS Victory Ship.

Florida State House representative Matt Hudson presented CO Kevin Lopez with a House Resolution welcoming them to Tampa and the great state of Florida.

Tampa President Chris Paddock presented Lud McKay with the Tampa Council Member of the Year award for all his efforts bringing the USCGC Tampa to Florida.

This all began over a year ago, due to the tremendous strain on our Sea Services port visits which have been at a minimum since 9/11.  Usually we get a ship during Tampa Navy Week but this year it didn't happen.  So our President requested that a board member be assigned to our Adopted ships in order to keep in better contact with them.

Tampa Board Member Lud McKay (Known as "PIT BULL") started calling, emailing, faxing, and maybe even screaming to see what we could do for the cutter.  Finally, Lud made contact and didn't let go.  Over the months that followed, he kept persistent with the Council and the Ship and we set a date about 6 weeks out and Lud went into action.  The event was planned, and what a great weekend it was with lots of activity.  The Tampa Community kicked in and it was a nonstop Port visit. 

The ship set her sails for the South and sailed Sunday morning.  We can learn a lesson from Lud in that we should never give up, keep our eye on the ball, and don't take "No" for an answer.  Bravo Zulu to Lud McKay.

Retired Admiral LeRoy Collins, present head of Florida Veteran Affairs, with wife Jane, Florida House Representative Matt Hudson, USCGC Tampa XO Michael Hudson (brother of Matt), and Skip Witunski, National Director of the Navy League.