The town of Lady Lake invites the public to celebrate the ribbon cutting ceremony of Snooky Park this Thursday.
The new park, a natural preserve, has a 2,000-foot walking path dotted with a collection of tree species, such as cedar, live oaks, water oaks and palm trees. Amenities found at the park include picnic shelters, water fountains and restrooms.
The park was named in honor of U.S. Navy veteran Atticus “Snooky” Blanton, who lost his life aboard the USS Arizona in the attack on Pearl Harbor. Blanton was born on Dec. 20, 1920 in Fort Myers and grew up in the Lady Lake area.
At the age of 18 — amid the Great Depression — Blanton found himself in need of job experience, so he decided to join the Navy. In 1940, he enlisted and shortly after found himself assigned to the USS Arizona, which was docked in California at the time.
After orders from President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the same year, the USS Arizona and other Pacific Fleet battleships were sent to Pearl Harbor. In a letter home, Blanton, then a Shipfitter 3rd Class, informed his family that he was sailing to the naval base.
Unfortunately, Blanton had no way to foresee future events.
On December 7, 1941, Japan launched a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor; during the attack, the USS Arizona was struck by several bombs. One armor-piercing bomb hit near the ship’s forward magazine, resulting in a devastating explosion. It is believed most of the crew members died instantaneously. More than 1,100 sailors and Marines were lost with the ship.
Ten days after the attack, Blanton’s mother, Annie Lottie Blanton, received a telegram from the war department, which read, “Your son Atticus Lee Blanton is missing in action.” A month later, an additional telegram informed her he was presumed dead.
The town is honored to dedicate the park to Atticus “Snooky” Blanton, a hometown hero, according to a press release.
The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place Thursday, June 19, at 10 am. at 120 W. Lady Lake Blvd., Lady Lake.