Mount Pleasant, South Carolina — Next month, a Celebration of Life will be held onboard the USS Yorktown to honor one of Patriots Point’s longest-serving volunteers. Dave Shuler died last month at the age of 92 years. He has been a volunteer at Patriots Point since 1995, when he answered an ad in the Moultrie News.
“His love for the people that came on here was very evident,” Volunteer Bill Casassa stated. “He really enjoyed interacting with the public and helping people understand a lot about what these ships mean.”
Shuler, a Citadel graduate, has previously served in the military and brings his experience and curiosity to his role onboard the naval aircraft carrier.
“He was a storyteller, which when you’re a volunteer, I think it helps to be a storyteller, because that captivates people’s attention,” Bill Cosgrove, the volunteer coordinator, said. “They don’t want facts and figures of just how long the ship is, and how many airplanes [there are]; They really want to know what the story is behind the Yorktown, and Dave told that story.”
Shuler received a pin in January to commemorate his three decades of service.
“I think he was very appreciative of the friends that he met,” Volunteer Diane Zielinski said. “The volunteers are a kind of tight-knit group.”
Shuler’s 93rd birthday, May 3, will be commemorated at the Celebration of Life.
