The Original Oyster House restaurants honored over 1,000 Mobile and Baldwin County law enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics by providing a free “Never Forget” Lunch on Friday, September 9, 2016. This year local Mobile attractions including Gulf Coast Ducks, GulfQuest, USS ALABAMA Battleship, WildNative Tours, Mobile Carnival Museum and Visit Mobile joined the Original Oyster House on the Causeway to honor first responders and also provide a free or discounted admission, moon pies and other giveaways. Gulf Coast Ducks amphibious tour bus was on display as well as the LifeSouth Community Blood Mobile which collected 22 units of blood at lunch exceeding the daily average of 17. All blood donations collected are distributed to local hospitals in Mobile, Baldwin, and Escambia Counties.
The 9th Annual Never Forget Lunch was established in honor of the 9/11 First Responders who risked their lives to save, protect and serve and also to recognize all first responders for their service.
“Sometimes we don’t think of our first responders until we need them,” stated David Dekle, co-owner of the Original Oyster House. “They risk their lives on a daily basis to help others and are taken for granted. Law Enforcement today gets such a bum rap and yet they put themselves in danger for our benefit. Firefighters run into burning buildings and some never come out. The goal of this event is to remember and honor these heroes and for them to enjoy a day of appreciation,” said Dekle.
The Original Oyster House has become the “must-go-to” place for great fresh Gulf seafood, service and southern hospitality and for its panoramic waterfront sunsets. A top-spot for hand-shucked and fire-grilled oysters, the Original Oyster House has also become legendary for its homemade gumbo, cheesy grits with blackened shrimp, as well as handcrafted desserts including its famous Peanut Butter Pie. The Original Oyster House (OOH) has two locations, Mobile: 3733 Battleship Parkway, on the Causeway and Gulf Shores: 701 Hwy 59 on the Original Oyster House Boardwalk. Both locations offer spectacular waterfront views and have been celebrated as the area’s finest family restaurants for 33+ years. For more information about the Original Oyster House, visit www.originaloysterhouse.com/911 or call 251-928-2620.
Gulf Coast Ducks covers over over 3,000 years of local tales (some tall) as well as exciting stories about the USS ALABAMA, Battleship Memorial Park, Mobile Bay, the Port of Mobile, and much more in and out of the water. For more information visit www.gulfcoastducks.com.
GulfQuest National Maritime Museum is an interactive museum dedicated to the Gulf Coast’s rich maritime history including early settlements and trade routes, marine archeology and shipwrecks, Gulf marine life, weather and hurricanes, marine and coastal environments, maritime commerce and shipbuilding, ship navigation and communication, offshore oil/gas platforms, and much more. For more information visit www.gulfquest.org.
Displacing more than 44,500 tons, the USS ALABAMA Battleship measures 680 feet from stem to stern, half as long as the Empire State Building is tall. Armed with nine, 16-inch guns in three turrets and 20, 5-inch, .38-caliber guns in 10 twin mounts, her main batteries could fire shells, as heavy as a small car, accurately for a distance of more than 20 miles. For more information visit www.ussalabama.com.
WildNative Tours offers wildlife, eco & sunset boat tours on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Guided activities including canoe, kayak and hiking exploration as well as customizable group adventure and expedition programs are avialable. For more information visit www.wildnativetours.com.
The Mobile Carnival Museum highlights the history of Mardi Gras and features 14 galleries, a history film, replicas of floats and a boutique gift shop, and can also be rented for special events. For more information visit www.mobilecarnivalmusuem.com.
LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, a 501(c) 3 non-profit community blood supplier. For more information visit www.lifesouth.org.
Pictured at the 2016 Never Forget Lunch at the Original Oyster House are Jeremy Bonds, public relations coordinator of GulfQuest and Judi Gulledge, executive director of the Mobile Carnival Association. Mobile attractions participated this year.
The Original Oyster House restaurants honored over 1,000 Mobile and Baldwin County law enforcement officers, firefighters and paramedics by providing a free “Never Forget” lunch on Friday, Sept. 9, 2016.
David Dekle, co-owner of the Original Oyster House greets city of Mobile Fire & Rescue members.