Gov. Crist thanks troops at MacDill Air Force Base

By Jan Wesner, Times Staff Writer
In print: Friday, May 9, 2008

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TAMPA — Gov. Charlie Crist stopped at MacDill Air Force Base Thursday, where he briefly thanked veterans for their service, shook hands with a Norwegian Army general and played coy to a question about his girlfriend.

Crist spoke to about 250 people, mostly veterans and military retirees, at the monthly luncheon of the Tampa chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.

He told the guests, who paid $14 for lunch at the base officers club and the privilege of seeing Crist, that he appreciates their service to the country.

"My main message here today is very simple — it's to thank each and every one of you."

He invoked Cuba when he talked about the importance of preserving the rights of Americans.

"We in Florida are very close to an island that doesn't have that kind of freedom," Crist said.

Moving through the crowd shaking hands before his speech, the governor stopped to chat with several military officers from other countries, including Norwegian Brig. Gen. Arne Skjaerpe. The foreign officers are based at MacDill as part of the war effort.

After thanking the troops, Crist stuck largely to familiar territory: property tax decreases, health care and the environment.

Afterwards, reporters peppered him with questions about everything from hurricane preparedness to American Idol contestant Syesha Mercado, who's from Sarasota.

When asked if he's getting engaged, Crist smiled and replied "I don't know."

Jan Wesner can be reached

at jwesner@sptimes.com or

(813) 661-2439.