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Gulf Harbors Blessing Of The Fleet Rite Set For Palm Sunday

SUNCOAST NEWS STAFF REPORT

Published: March 28, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - On Palm Sunday, Gulf Harbors Yacht Club will stage its 37th annual Blessing of the Fleet.

Yacht club officials expect between 35 and 50 boats to participate April 5, according to Barb Bailey, the community relations representative for the yacht club.

The yacht club has issued a special invitation to boat owners in Gulf Harbors Woodlands, Gulf Harbors, and Sea Forest, Bailey wrote in a press release. The ceremony is open to the public and any boat may participate.

Skippers should bring their boats to the basin off the Yacht Club, 3926 Marine Parkway, at 12:45 p.m. Palm Sunday and monitor marine VHF radio Channel 68 for instructions.

The Gulf High School Color Guard, led by Jose Rodriguez, will present the colors and the Gulf High School band, directed by William Rutherford, will play the national anthem. Taps will be sounded in memory of those who have lost their lives in combat. The band will play other patriotic songs.

Commodore Les Jockers will begin the ceremonies at 1 p.m. by introducing guests. Invitations have been extended to U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, and his father, former U.S. Rep. Mike Bilirakis, along with Pasco Commissioner Ann Hildebrand and Pasco Sheriff Bob White.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and Pasco Sheriff's Office Marine Unit will provide boats to accompany the procession.

Boats will follow the Sheriff's Marine Unit boat down the channel then back past the Yacht Club, where they will receive their blessing from the Rev. Mario Maczocchi, a Roman Catholic priest, assisted by the fleet chaplain, Mary Jo Lange.

Blessing of the Fleet certificates will be issued to all participating boats.

Following the dockside service, boats at their option will follow the lead boat into the Gulf, where they will be joined by the Hanna V with the commodore, Fleet Captain Joe Hecker, and honored guests aboard. A wreath will be cast onto the water in memory of the deceased members in 2008-09.

Dinner will be served following the ceremonies at about 5 p.m. Reservations are required and dinner is open to the public. Call the yacht club at 727-849-4559.

For further information, contact Assistant Fleet Captain Alice Conway at 727-372-2416 or Fleet Captain Joe Hecker at 813-996-9594.

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