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Photo Archives Exhibit Salutes Veterans

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By GEORGE H. NEWMAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 3, 2007

PLANT CITY - The Plant City Photo Archives has set the open house for its annual Salute to Veterans exhibit for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10.
Reception hours are from 9 to 11 a.m. that day.
Photo Archives President Ed Verner said the exhibit will feature hundreds of photos of area veterans, including banners and a continuing video display.

Gil Gott, archives executive director, said the reception will include complimentary juice, coffee and doughnuts or pastries.

"We will also have live music in the exhibit gallery 119 N. Collins St., and the extensive photo exhibit of World War I and II veterans and local photos from that period," Gott said.

Photo archives exhibit coordinators Steve Smith and Bill Parolini helped to assemble the exhibit and said the display is in honor of all veterans, their families and friends.

Gott said there would be no structured program or speeches, just camaraderie and friendship amidst an overwhelming photo exhibit.

Gott said he fondly remembers the initial Salute to Veterans open house on Veterans Day 2005. The event was the same year as the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, Gott said.

"The late Betty Watkins, who served with us on the photo archives' advisory council, assisted in the collection of over 500 photographs. Many were submitted by veterans and their families that were friends of Betty," Gott said.

In addition to the photographs, many of the visiting veterans recalled war stories that involved themselves and their families.

Following the Nov. 10 opening, the veterans exhibit will remain on display through Feb. 2. The gallery's regular hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

For information, call the archives office at (813) 754-1578 or e-mail at info@plantcity photoarchives.org.

Reporter George H. Newman can be reached at (813) 865-4451 or gnewman@tampatrib.com.

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