USS Jackson Donates Tree to Gulfport
The USS Jackson commissioning ceremony was one of the biggest events across the Coast last year. Today a tree was planted in memory of it.
For the commission ceremony, the committee planning the event chose to buy magnolia trees for the celebration instead of renting them. On Tuesday, they donated one tree to the city of Gulfport and put it in Jones Park to commemorate the event and the men and women serving aboard the ship.
While the event was at the beginning of December, commissioning representatives hope this tree will stand as a lasting memory of the USS Jackson being commissioned right here on the Coast. “We just thought it would be nice to have a lasting memory item rather than just an event and it’s over. We’re doing this here and we’re very proud to do that. The city of Gulfport did an outstanding job of supporting the commission,” said Bob Hawley, chairman of the commissioning committee. Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes said, “It was just one of the events that really marked 2015. So, this is kind of wrapping it all up. The commissioning committee thought they’d dedicate some trees. There’s one being planted in Jackson, there’s one being planted here and there will be a commemorative plaque placed here as well.”
The tree is located at the corner of Highway 90 and 20th Avenue in the corner of Jones Park.
For the commission ceremony, the committee planning the event chose to buy magnolia trees for the celebration instead of renting them. On Tuesday, they donated one tree to the city of Gulfport and put it in Jones Park to commemorate the event and the men and women serving aboard the ship.
While the event was at the beginning of December, commissioning representatives hope this tree will stand as a lasting memory of the USS Jackson being commissioned right here on the Coast. “We just thought it would be nice to have a lasting memory item rather than just an event and it’s over. We’re doing this here and we’re very proud to do that. The city of Gulfport did an outstanding job of supporting the commission,” said Bob Hawley, chairman of the commissioning committee. Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes said, “It was just one of the events that really marked 2015. So, this is kind of wrapping it all up. The commissioning committee thought they’d dedicate some trees. There’s one being planted in Jackson, there’s one being planted here and there will be a commemorative plaque placed here as well.”
The tree is located at the corner of Highway 90 and 20th Avenue in the corner of Jones Park.
Leave a Reply