Free day in oldest city

For the past 50 years, the USO Council of St. Augustine and many of the city's tourist attractions have hosted this special day set aside each December specifically for First Coast military members and their families to enjoy the city's attractions free of charge.

Hundreds of people, many proudly wearing their military uniforms, turned out in the nation's oldest city to spend a few hours visiting the sights and to watch the annual Christmas parade.

''This is the first time we've come here for Pal Day. It's a lot of fun and it's great that the USO and City of St. Augustine offer this to us each year. We came to watch Christmas Parade and have visited the Potter's Museum, Ripley's Believe It of Not and the Fountain of Youth,'' said AM1(AW/SW) Trenson Wiessgerber of Fleet Readiness Center Southeast, who was with his wife, Deana and daughter, Emilie.

Castillo de San Marcos Living History Program Manager Joseph Brehm talks with IC2(SW) Jarrod Crowder of USS John L. Hall at NS Mayport, on how life was when the fort was an active working fort more than 300 years ago.

The first Pal Day was held in 1957 during the Korean War Era when the USO Council in St. Augustine wanted to recognize military members and their families and provide them with something a little special. The event proved so successful, that it has continued since then every first Saturday in December. By opening their doors for free, the city's businesses get a chance to show their appreciation to the service members who serve our country and defend our freedom.

Military families enjoyed favorite attractions such as Ripley's Believe It or Not, 3D World, The Fountain of Youth, Alligator Farm, trolley rides, Potter's Wax Museum, Castillo de San Marcos, and numerous other attractions.

Nearly 500 service personnel and their families enjoyed a free lunch at the Elks Lodge No. 829 in St. Augustine. Elk members spent the morning preparing the food, and then much of the late morning and early afternoon serving up plates of hot dogs, coleslaw, baked beans, chips and sodas.

AE1(AW/SW) Joseph Krajewski of the Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Unit Jax, and his family watch as a group of reenactors play some instruments in the Spanish Quarter Village in St. Augustine Saturday.

''We are here today to take a tour of St. Augustine and enjoy the attractions. I found out about Pal Day a few days ago and we thought it would be nice for the family to get out and spend some time together and enjoy everything here,'' said HM3 Valmiki Indalsingh of Naval Hospital Jax, who was enjoying Pal Day for the first time with his wife, Trisha, son, Michael and daughter, Dana.

''We just finished touring Ripley's Believe It or Not and plan to take a ride on the trolley to see the different sites.''

Although the city was bustling with tourists and locals who lined the streets for the parade and to experience the city's holiday festivities, Pal Day gave military members and their families a nice way to spend some quality time together and enjoy the sights of the nation's oldest city. Mark your calendar for next year's event, which will take place on Dec. 1, 2007.

HM3 Valmiki Indalsingh of Naval Hospital Jax and his family enjoy a ride on one of the trolleys around the historical city of St. Augustine. All attractions were free to military members and their families for Pal Day Saturday.