Downtown Muskegon Blog

Behind the Scenes – LST Limbers Up for Summer

Downtown Muskegon comes alive during the summer season with festivals, gardens, and historic sites that appeal to locals and tourists alike. While the Spring Cleanup (you can participate this Friday!!) helps get things tidied up at the last minute, most attractions have spent the better part of the fall, winter and spring planning and implementing new initiatives. One of those hard working organization is the LST Preservation Association, whose President is Dan Weikel. Dan took time out of his busy schedule getting ready for summer to answer the following questions.

MS: The LST just seems to do an amazing job of stretching grants and volunteer labor into constant improvements that make the ship a better and better tourist destination. How, and why, do you do it?

DW: A sharp Board of Directors, as interested in preserving this historic piece of American history as I am, and developing a realistic prioritized plan, and then executing that plan.

MS: One of the improvements this spring is the boardwalk that allows patrons to enter through the new doors at the bow of the ship. How has that been received?

DW: It has been received with enthusiasm. As one enters through the open bow doors and up the ramp, you are almost overwhelmed by the sensation that you are walking where Americans soldiers walked as they were thrown into battle during WWI. Many of them did not return. We feel their spirits are still aboard watching as you enter.

MS: Also tell us about the improved gift shop. I know your wife Barbara, is the driving force there and is really raising the profile of the shop.

DW: Yes, she and her team are indeed doing a magnificent job. Their results last year were so excellent that we have more than tripled the size of our new on board gift shop. They specialize in quality nautical, military, and patriotic items.

MS: Tell us about Armed Forces Day.

DW: Armed Forces Day is a tribute to U.S. veteran and homefront workers. The ship will open its big bow doors to visitors with a Muskegon Lions Club pancake breakfast at 8 a.m. and we'll be serving a lunch of brats and hot dogs from 11 to 1. The day's events will include a color guard and 21-gun salute, a keynote address by Nancy Frye at 12:15 p.m.

MS: Finally, tell us how the public in general can support the LST?

DW: Basically there are three ways: 1.) By touring the ship and attending the special on board events. 2.) Support the ship with monetary donations and volunteer service. 3.) Sending us memorabilia and artifacts from Muskegon veterans (any time period, and service) that we can display in our new and huge “Muskegon Connection Military Collection.” We can use photos, letters, posters, uniforms, field equipment, arms, and anything else that helps us tell the story of Muskegon veterans. This display is outstanding! It is a march through the history of the military as seen and executed by veterans from Muskegon…. From the civil war to the current Mid East war.

MS: Downtown has a rich variety of experiences available that give a sense of history and the LST definitely fits that bill. Also, the creative ways, such as Movies on Deck, and Armed Forces Day, that you use to draw the public in are commendable and we thank you for your hard work

DW: We appreciate your questions and interest. Ours is a noble mission, in our opinion. We strive to restore and preserve LST 393 as a piece of American History, and to honor all veterans. We feel strongly that if we do not preserve and understand our history, we loose the knowledge of how great this country is and the sacrifices our veterans have made to keep America great.


Check it out on the web

LST 393 website
Wikipedia - LST
Flickr Pics of LST 393

posted by Dan & Sarah @ 11:09 AM