Thanks for posting that, Jo. Yes, the LST Memorial is a victim of its own success in Evansville. Some of the naysayers and croakers-of-doom said the LST would be a "flash in the pan" in Evansville and only popular for the first year or so.
How wrong they were.
We have a very dedicated group of about 20 tour guides whom the ship can rely on to always come through, and a group of 5 or 6 dedicated office ladies. But these crewmembers are getting tired, and working more than they should have to because of the great popularity of the LST.
We have worked hard at getting schools to send field trips to the ship because we think it is important for the young people to learn of the sacrifices that it takes to insure their freedom.
We would like to have more tour guides and office ladies volunteer. If you live within communting distance to Evansville -- come on down! You do not have to be an expert on the LST or a Navy veteran to be a tour guide. We will train you. We have veterans of all branches, and some top-notch tour guides who were never in the service. Men and women are welcome to be tour guides (we have recently welcomed aboard a couple of female tour guide trainees we think are very promising).
You decide the days and hours you work. Some of our guides work 2 or 3 days a week, some work only one day a week for a couple of hours. Everything helps. I can promise you great camaraderie (we are like family) and the satisfaction of doing something very worth while.
Below is the group tours for this past week. You can see from the numbers why we need more help.
May 13 thru May 17:
Tues. -- 10am; 12 adults; Red Hat Ladies
Tues. -- 10:30-11:30am; 88 adults; Travel Time Midwest Bus Tours
Tues. -- 12-1pm; 20 kids, 2 adults; Reo Education Center
Tues. -- 1pm; 10 students, 3 adults; Newburgh Christian School
Wed. -- 10-11am; 45 students, 5 adults; Delaware School
Wed. -- 11am-12pm; 90 students, 9 adults; Chandler Elementary
Wed. -- 12-1pm; 45 students, 5 adults; Delaware School (this is a 2nd tour, same day)
Wed. -- 1pm; 32 students, 3 adults; New Hope Elementary
Thurs. -- 10am; 15 adults; First Methodist Church
Thurs. -- 11am; 48 students, 5 adults; St. Benedict School
Thurs. -- 1pm; 25 students, 2 adults; Tecumseh Elementary
Fri. -- 10-11am; 43 students, 4 adults; South Terrace School
Fri. -- 11am; 120 students, 12 adults; Sharon Elementary
Sat. -- 10-11am; 16 kids, 2 adults; Boy Scout Troop 387
Sat. -- 12:45pm; approx. 15 adults; Delta Queen (from Henderson)
The above are just the group tours; this does not include normal walk-on tours.
