The final goodbyes have begun tonight for Congressman C.W. Bill Young.
From Washington to constituents in the Bay area, family, friends and even strangers are gathering in the longtime representative's honor. Young, who served 42 years in Congress, died Friday night at age 82.
Young's family had an hour of privacy before the public began arriving at 5 p.m. for Young's public visitation at the Bill Young Armed Forces Reserve Center, 2801 Grand Avenue in Pinellas Park.
The Young family released the following statement to those who were in attendance:
"Our family would like to thank the thousands of people who have come out this evening to pay their respects to our husband, our father and our grandfather. He touched so many lives over his 53 years of public service to the people of our nation, our state and our community. He loved this community and this is a special moment to see that love shared by so many this evening."
Major General Emmett Titshaw said he's honored the family chose the facility for Young's visitation.
Titshaw remembers many office visits with Young in D.C. and called the congressman a champion of the American fighting man and woman.
"His legacy will be very far reaching,” he said. “The national security that we experience in this nation have his fingerprints all over it."
The congressman's son, Bill Young II, said many considered his father an inspiration as someone who held office and served until his death.
"The things that were important to him were serving his country and taking care of his family," Young II said. "And he did a wonderful job at both of those things."
Young II also said the family was pleased to hear that lawmakers are working to rename the VA Medical Center at Bay Pines in Young's honor. It was one of many projects in the Bay area for which Young secured millions of dollars in federal funding. Young II said the congressman's 10 grandchildren will one day understand the things their grandfather did for the community.
"When you have held elected office for 53 years, you're going to do a lot of good if you do it right, and he always did the right thing," Young II said. "And I think it's just a great attribute and recognition to what we've done to have so many things bearing his name and it will be great for all the young grandkids 40 or 50 years from now to see what impact their grandfather had on people's lives."
Officials said tonight's visitation may be extended due to the number of people expected to attend.
The U.S. House will not be in session Thursday so that federal lawmakers can attend Young's funeral. According to partner newspaper the Tampa Bay Times, several members of Congress are flying into Tampa on a U.S. Air Force plane including House Speaker John Boehner, Majority Leader Eric Cantor and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
Others also expected to attend are Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, Gov. Rick Scott and many high-ranking military leaders.
The public funeral will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Indian Rocks, 12685 Ulmerton Road, Largo. As many as 6,000 people are expected to attend.
A private burial will follow.
Flags of the United States and the State of Florida will be flown at half-staff at all local and state buildings, installations, and grounds throughout Florida from sunrise to sunset on Thursday.
Traffic concerns during visitation and funeral
Sheriff's officials said motorists would be wise to avoid the Gateway area just north of Gandy Boulevard between U.S. 19 and 28th Street from about 2:30 to 9 p.m. Traffic is expected to be heavy because of the visitation.
There also will be significant delays along Park Boulevard from 113th Street east to 28th Street because of a motorcade from about 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. Officers will be securing the intersections along the route.
On Thursday, sheriff's officials are advising motorists to avoid the area around the church from 11 a.m. until at least 3:30 p.m. After the service, a procession will travel to the cemetery at Bay Pines VA Medical Center. Motorists should avoid the Bay Pines area from about 2 to 5 p.m.