SPC Zachary L. Shannon Memorial Highway Dedication Ceremony

In collaboration with the Florida Legislature, State Senator Ed Hooper and State Representative Adam Anderson, the Florida Department of Transportation, Pinellas County, and the VFW, the City is hosting the Zachary L. Shannon Highway Designation Dedication Ceremony on Monday, October 23, 2023 at 10:00 am, held at the Dunedin Youth Guild Park (2750 Bayshore Blvd, Dunedin, FL). 

Zachary L. Shannon was a Dunedin native and graduate of Dunedin High School who joined the ROTC program and enlisted in the US Army in August 2010. He was promoted to Specialist (SPC), volunteered for deployment to Afghanistan, and was killed in duty in Kandahar, Afghanistan on March 11, 2013 at the age of 21 in a helicopter crash. The crash killed five service members serving in Operation Enduring Freedom. SPC Shannon's remains arrived at MacDill Air Force Base and a celebration of life was held on March 24 at the Dunedin VFW Post 2550, where more than 500 people attended. SPC Shannon was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division based out of Hunter Army Airfield, GA.

During the 2023 Florida Legislative Session, Representative Adam Anderson drafted the bill language to honor Zachary Shannon nearly 10 years after his death by naming a portion of Alternate US Highway 19/Bayshore Blvd (between Orange Street and Michigan) in Pinellas County as "SPC Zachary L. Shannon Memorial Highway". The bill ultimately was signed as House Bill 21 by the Governor on May 30, 2023 with an effective date of July 1, 2023.  As part of the designation process, local city and county ordinances or resolutions are required to be passed supporting a road naming designation.  On July 18, 2023, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners adopted Resolution 23-47 and on August 15, 2023, the City of Dunedin Commission adopted Resolution 23-16 supporting the honorary designation. 

As a part of the Dunedin community and representative of the Veteran Community in Dunedin, the VFW “SPC Zachary L. Shannon Memorial” Post 2550 has been integral in developing a dedication ceremony for October 23.  The Ceremony will take place at the Dunedin Youth Guild Park starting at 10:00 am on Monday, October 23, 2023.  The ceremony will include Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and Dunedin Fire Rescue Honor Guards, a presentation of colors, presentation of legislation, an invocation by Captain USMC (Ret.) Rev. Robert “Bob” Swick, acknowledgements by Representative Adam Anderson, Pinellas County Commission Dave Eggers and VFW personnel, the story of Zach Shannon by the Shannon family and unveiling of the SPC Zachary L Shannon Memorial Highway Plaque.  Following the ceremony, the VFW Post 2550 will lead a procession from Dunedin Youth Guild Park down Edgewater/Bayshore to Post 2550 (360 Douglas Ave, Dunedin), where a reception will be held. 

When

Location

Dunedin Youth Guild Park, 2750 Bayshore Blvd, Dunedin, FL, Dunedin, 34698, View Map

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