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FL Veteran Mobilizes Care For Abandoned Gravestones | Patch PM

Veteran gravestone cleanup | 2 big lottery wins | Cruise line test | Increased fire risk| Coast Guard underwater memorial: Patch PM

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The gravestone of U.S. Army soldier Emery Cooper prior to cleaning (left) and after being cleaned (right) by Trae Zipperer, founder of By Memorial Day. Cooper died by accidental drowning in 1943 at Fort Dix. He’s buried at Palmetto’s Old Memphis Cemetery.
The gravestone of U.S. Army soldier Emery Cooper prior to cleaning (left) and after being cleaned (right) by Trae Zipperer, founder of By Memorial Day. Cooper died by accidental drowning in 1943 at Fort Dix. He’s buried at Palmetto’s Old Memphis Cemetery. (Courtesy of Trae Zipperer)

Here are some of the share-worthy stories from Florida Patches to talk about tonight:

Royal Caribbean Plans Test Cruise From Miami After CDC Approval

The Royal Caribbean cruise line has been granted permission from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to launch a simulated cruise in preparation for the return of cruising after the COVID-19 pandemic brought the industry to a standstill last year.

FL Veteran Builds Movement To Clean Abandoned Gravestones

Trae Zipperer just wanted to travel the country with his daughter, sightseeing and visiting historical sites, cemeteries, battlefields, museums and national parks. From that family trip cane a national movement to clean and repair all 6 to 7 million abandoned veterans' gravestones in small community and church cemeteries across the country.

Find out what's happening in Sarasotafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Fire Risks High In Tampa Bay As Memorial Day Weekend Approaches

Even the smallest fire can become an uncontrollable blaze this time of the year. A lack of rain, low humidity and an easterly breeze in Tampa Bay prompted the National Weather Service to issue several "red flag warnings' over the weekend due to increased fire danger and discouraged residents from any outdoor burning.

Coast Guard Sinks 13th Statue In Nation's 1st Underwater Memorial

It's been 41 years since U.S. Coast Guard Seaman Apprentice William R. Flores died along with 22 shipmates when the Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn and the tanker Capricorn collided near the entrance to Tampa Bay. It was the worst peacetime disaster in Coast Guard history. On Tuesday, a 6-foot statue of Flores was lowered into the waters off the coast of Clearwater, the 13th statue in the Circle of Heroes memorial, the nation's first underwater dive memorial honoring veterans.

Find out what's happening in Sarasotafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Memorial Day Events, Ceremonies

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