I attended Acquisition and Logistical Training Seminars sponsored by the Naval Aviation Depot in Jacksonville, Fla.  It is the First Coast region of northeast Florida, and centered on the banks of the St. John River.  It is about 25 miles south of the Georgia state line, and about 340 miles north of Miami.  The beach communities are along Atlantic coast.   It is the largest city by population in the US of Florida.  It is the 12th most populous city in the US and the largest city by area.  Jacksonville is a major military and civilian deep water part.  It facilities Blount Island Command, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay and the Port of Jacksonville; and operates the largest urban park system in the US.

The Ritz Theatre, opened in 1929, is located in the LaVilla neighborhood of the northern part of Jacksonville’s downtown area.  The Jacksonville music scene was active in the 1930’s in LaVilla, known as “Harlem of the South”.  Black musicians from across the country visited to play standing room only performances at the Ritz Theatre; and the Knights of Pyrhias, Hall Caboway,  Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong were a few of the legendary performances. It hosts the second largest jazz festival in the nation.

Jacksonville Beach is a beautiful white sand beach, minutes away from downtown Jacksonville.  We attended the “Springing the Blues”, which is a free outdoor blues festival on Jackson Beach. We watched dolphins swimming along the surfs, while dining at the Salt Life Food Shack; located on the Jackson Beach. This restaurant served marvelous Caribbran, Oyster Bar and Seafood Cuisine.  The oysters and margaritas were terrific!