THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 11, 1996 TAG: 9610090133
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: IDA KAY'S PORTSMOUTH
SOURCE: Ida Kay Jordan
LENGTH: 78 lines
Scattered around downtown you'll see signs designating ``Liberty Shuttle'' stops.
Last Thursday, the Liberty trolley, a free shuttle service between the Naval Shipyard and Olde Towne, was launched with a ceremony at Portside.
Actually, it was too long coming.
The city had been talking all summer about instituting the buses for use by all active-duty military personnel, their families and guests. It was part of a plan pursued by the city and the Navy and the Olde Towne Portsmouth Association to get the military more involved with the community.
Everybody stands to gain if the shuttle works. Young sailors aboard the destroyers and frigates now tied up in Portsmouth are looking for something to do. Many of them lack transportation, and this, at least, will connect them with other transportation - even if they don't want to stay in Portsmouth.
The downtown business community stands to gain if it makes itself attractive to the sailors. Several thousand of them are on the ships now being berthed in Portsmouth. Thousands more are on the aircraft carriers in the yard for repairs. Capt. Bill Klemm, the shipyard commander, said last week that there are now about 7,000 persons on the ships in the yard.
Most importantly, the city and the Navy want the sailors to be happy in Portsmouth.
The Liberty Shuttle started late - the last week that Portside was open.
That's too bad because Portside is a place that appeals to people with no particular plans for the evening. It's a place with special appeal to young people when there's live music in the air. But it's a pretty dull place when it's closed.
The trolley service started a little late for baseball season, too. Taking the ferry to the ballpark across the river is fun and surely would appeal to a certain percentage of the sailors.
But the important thing is the shuttle has started.
It will enable young Navy families to get to the Children's Museum from the shipyard with a minimum of hassle and no cost. The transit from the Navy Yard to downtown will be very safe, eliminating any fear newcomers might have of running into trouble in the vacant area between their ships and downtown.
Capt. Klemm has been a major player in the move to bring the shipyard and the people of Portsmouth closer together.
He has reopened parts of the yard, most especially Trophy Park, to the public. Regular events to which the public is invited are held there.
This weekend, as part of the Fleet Week celebration, a special Civil War Day will be held at Trophy Park. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. re-enactors will demonstrate Navy weaponry of the period. They will be encamped in the area to demonstrate how both Yankees and Rebels lived during the war.
One highlight will be the appearance of a coffee wagon used to serve both sides during the war. It was interesting to me to learn that the Armed Forces YMCA had its beginnings with that coffee wagon in the shipyard during the Civil War.
Klemm is a person who loves the history of the shipyard he commands. He can reel off the dates and events encompassed by its history, which is almost as long as this nation's.
We need to listen to Klemm. He seems to have more awareness and respect for Portsmouth's history than many who have lived in the city for years. He knows what the shipyard has contributed to the nation from Colonial times to now. Portsmouth people were a major factor in its success.
As consultants and visitors keep telling us, Portsmouth has great history and great assets. We have not exploited them to the city's best advantage.
But with people like Capt. Klemm and the appreciative consultants we may now have our best chance to put Portsmouth on the map as a historic designation.
Meanwhile, the ``Liberty Shuttle'' will be bringing more young Navy people downtown. Ultimately, they should help spread the word that Portsmouth is a whole lot better and more interesting than many Navy people think it is.
Already, the Olde Towne merchants and the city have tried a lunchtime trolley between the Naval Hospital and downtown. This Saturday the hospital has invited the public to a band concert at Hospital Point.
The hospital, like the shipyard, is the first of its ilk in the nation. We're anchored by these two historic places, and it's time we increased our cooperative efforts.
The people at both facilities need us to help make their lives more enjoyable. We need them to help us emphasize our wonderful history. by CNB