The LST-325 visits Wheeling

Gabrielle Contraguerro, Staff Writer

September 24, 2024

The LST-325 docked at the Waterfront in Downtown Wheeling from September 5th to the 10th for the first time in over 10 years. The 325 acted as a landing strip for planes during WWII, and made 44 trips around the channel. The crew is completely voluntary, and receives zero federal funding.

“The technology that we got on this ship is old school, new school, and well rounded,” said Kenn Rapp, a former EMT, and current cruise director of the LST-325.

The purpose of the LST-325 was to put tanks on the beach. “If you roll back to your history lessons, The Dunkirk in the very first part of the war, the Germany soldiers would drive the French and the British out of France,” said Rapp.

Mr. Triveri, a social studies teacher at Wheeling Park high school, went to the LST-325 as a child.

“It is important that students see living history and to experience the sights and smells,” said Mr. Triveri. “It is important to realize that these soldiers are not just fictional characters, but they are real and had lives.”

If you missed your chance to see the LST-325, It is open for tours seasonally throughout the year in Evansville, Indiana. But unfortunately, it will not visit Wheeling for another ten years.

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About the Contributor

Gabrielle Contraguerro, Staff Writer

Gabrielle Contraguerro is a sister, a daughter, and most importantly a singer. Gabrielle has been singing for four years. She was a member of St. Michael's Schola for two years and a member of Wheeling Park concert choir. Musical theater has been a big part of her life. She was casted as the role of Deloris in Sister Act, Maui in Moana, and Crystal in Little Shop of Horrors. She started her singing career when she was in middle school and is planning to continue after high school. Besides singing, Gabrielle is an Allstar Cheerleader. She has been cheering since she was a little girl. Singing is her number one passion, but cheering comes as a close second. Gabrielle has done a plethora of singing events. In March 2021, she was asked to sing at the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. She sang the National Anthem. The following year, she was asked to sing at the wrestling OVAC. That is when everything started to go well for her. Musical Theater has been encouraged by her friends, family, and teachers. Gabrielle did her first play in the fifth grade and hasn’t stopped since. Her favorite show she has been in was Little Shop of Horrors. She was awarded as the best actress two years in a row at St. Michael’s. Gabrielle is proud of the work she has put in. With balancing academics, choir, theater, and sports, she has become a better person. Singing has changed Gabrielle’s life and she couldn’t have done it without her friends and family supporting her.