St. Augustine rolls out the red carpet for military and families

Members of the Elks Lodge #829 will cook and serve lunch, sponsored by the United way of St. Johns County and children will receive goodie bags provided by the Daughters of the Confederacy.

"This year marks a half-century of paying tribute to our men and women of the armed services through Pal Day,"� said K. C. McCarthy, Greater Jacksonville Area USO executive director. "Through this unwavering commitment our total community recognizes the dedication and sacrifice the military and their families make for the safety of our nation."� Armed forces personnel and their families can pick up free Pal Day tickets by stopping by the NAS Jax and NS Mayport USO or the USO Welcome Center at Jacksonville International Airport. A limited number of tickets also will be available at the Visitor Information Center on the day of the event.

Contributing businesses include the Authentic Old Jail, Castillo de San Marcos and St. Matanzas, Colonial Spanish Quarter Village, Florida Heritage Museum, Government House, Museum-Cathedral Place, Lightner Museum, Marineland of Florida, Mission of Numbre de Dios, Museum of Weapons and American History, Old Florida Museum, Old St. Augustine Village, Old Town Trolley Tours, Oldest House Museum, Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth, Potter's Wax Museum, Ripley's Believe It or Not Museum, Alligator Farm, Lighthouse & Museum, Sightseeing Trains, and Spanish Military Hospital Museum.