Bayshore Patriots honor first responders

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Sarah Hall-Kirchner
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  The early evening sky threatened rain, but still, approximately 11 smiling people stood by a 9/11 memorial, waving American flags as vehicles passed.

The Bayshore Patriots, which formed just one week after the infamous terrorist attacks, stand at the corner of Bay to Bay Avenue and Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa, Fla. every Friday, regardless of the conditions.

"I was brought up when patriotism was taught during history in school," said G.W. Bill Hamblin, Bayshore Patriots' president and co-founder. "Then I joined the military during Vietnam, where patriotism seemed to vanish. I lived through being literally spit on and kicked. I was called a 'baby killer.'"

Tears shone in Hamblin's eyes as he remembered being beaten up in a New York airport, simply for wearing his uniform. He was treated with disrespect and he does not want this generation of first responders to be treated the same way.

"We want to show our appreciation to all first responders because they do so much for us," said Hamblin. "It does not matter what we think of the wars and operations going on half way around the world, we want those who protect us to know that we support them."

As commuters pass, the bay sounds and engine noise are joined by honking horns and the occasional shout of encouragement.

"God Bless the U.S.A.," shouted one passer-by.

Sometimes they wonder if they are making a difference, said Hamblin.

"A colonel came walking up to me just last week," Hamblin remembers. "He shook my hand and thanked me for what we do out here, and then burst out in tears. That showed me that we are still making an impact on the Tampa community."

The Bayshore Patriots are made up of members from across the community, from military veterans and those simply wanting to show their patriotism to parents of military members currently serving.

"The attacks affected everyone, even if you didn't have someone in the service," said Patricia Chaplain, Bayshore Patriots member of about four years. "I thought I understood the sacrifice our service members make, but then my daughter joined the Navy. Now I truly understand and realize how much we need to support those who protect us."

Standing as a testament to what happened during the terrorist attacks 12 years ago, are two towers, a sundial, and five lights.

The two towers represent the north and south towers which crumbled on 9/11. The structure of the north tower is filled in by a beam from the original tower, pulled from the wreckage of the building.

"The huge black beam, marked with a number denoting where it came from, is damaged, but is still standing strong, just as America was after the Sept. 11 attacks," said Hamblin.

The lawn surrounding the sundial has, what appears to be a random path leading to its base. This path isn't so random - it is the face of the sundial, which is covered in shadow from about 8:46 a.m. to around 10:03 a.m., symbolizing the time the first tower was hit until the time of the crash of Flight 93.

Five lights shine upon the memorial at night, representing the five corners of the Pentagon.

Gathered around the memorial again on Sept. 11, 2013, the Bayshore Patriots waved their flags all day, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. They stood, as they do every Friday and 9/11, on their corner, waving their flags.

All day various individuals, from joggers and dog walkers to a Marine, stopped to thank the Bayshore Patriots for what they do for the community.

"What we want," said Hamblin, "is for every citizen of Tampa Bay to remember that there are first responders out there, protecting us, and that we should show our appreciation."