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Vets hold raucous holiday bash

 
Published July 3, 1995|Updated Oct. 4, 2005

In addition to the cookouts patriotic events and fireworks, the 180 veterans and their spouses who gathered for a weekendlong bash at Bob and Amelia Sowerby's home proved a point.

Sometimes, vets just want to have fun. And they don't mind at all if things get a little silly.

With invited guests and special American Legion contingents from all over the state, the Ninth Annual Bob and Amelia Sowerby Independence Day party got going Thursday.

"This is our way of celebrating our service to God and country," Bob Sowerby said Friday evening. "But it doesn't always have to be serious. We're here to let off a little steam."

Sowerby, a past state commander of the American Legion, said most of the guests were war veterans and quite a few were past commanders of the American Legion.

The guests participated in off-beat party games such as the skinny legs contest, the most boring man competition and a beer-drinking endurance test.

"We started Thursday, and we'll probably still be going this Thursday," Sowerby said.

The Most Boring Man competition gathered the most entrants. The winner (and still champion) was Beverly Hills' own Michael Colangelo. He recently was crowned as the Most Boring Man in America by a national tabloid newspaper and earned a guest appearance on the Tonight Show.

However, Sowerby said an invited guest, Bill Stuart of Jacksonville, was tough competition for Colangelo.

"He (Stuart) collects toenail and fingernail clippings from famous people. He showed us some from Harry Truman and Iron Mike Tyson. I tell you, it was a close call," Sowerby said.

Bob and Amelia Sowerby have been hosting the Independence Day party at their Parsons Point home for nine years, with the help of many friends and American Legion groups.

The American Legion from Tampa helped stage the barbecue for the hungry guests, while Ormond Beach provided refreshments. The Crystal River American Legion post acted as master of ceremonies for the event, while the American Legion post of West Palm Beach took guests on boat rides on Hernando Lake, and the Okeechobee contingent hosted various games.