USS Midway Museum to Honor Military During 3rd Annual Legacy Week

Monday, 18 May 2009
Contact: Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216

An inspirational ceremony aboard the USS Midway will kick off a weeklong tribute to America's armed forces, past and present. The 3rd Annual Legacy Week, which runs from May 23 to May 29, is the USS Midway Museum's annual salute to the United States military. Among the highlights of the week will be a wreath ceremony, the dedication of the U.S. Post Office's new Bob Hope stamp, as well as a special screening of the movie, "Top Gun."

The Memorial Day Weekend starts with the special Veterans Remembrance Ceremony. The event, which is open to the public, runs from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Saturday, May 23.

"Five veterans, one each from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and the Global War on Terrorism, accompanied by an active duty and a youngster, will present a biodegradable wreath over the side of the USS Midway to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for America," said Scott McGaugh, marketing director of the Midway. "I think the more we can engage and educate and inspire today's generation about those who have served our country past and present, the better."

Everyone who attends the event will be admitted to the museum for the day, free of charge.

This year's theme of Legacy Week is a salute to Top Gun, in honor of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the fighter weapons school at Miramar in 1969.

"The Midway will have a variety of family-oriented activities with a Top Gun theme to them," said McGaugh. "For example, kids get to 'repair' an aircraft, learning to rivet and stencil on names and numbers."

On Friday, May 29, at 11 a.m., the U.S. Postal Service will unveil the commemorative Bob Hope stamp on the flight deck of the USS Midway. That event is open to the public and does not require an admission fee.

"It's especially fitting for the postal service to salute Bob Hope on the flight deck of the USS Midway since on two occasions, Hope performed for the sailors of the USS Midway more than 30 years ago," said McGaugh.

The Hope family made a personal request that the Postal Service unveil the stamp on the aircraft carrier, McGaugh said. Anyone in attendance can buy first-day issues of the stamps on the flight deck, following the ceremony. Several of Hope's children will be in attendance.

Legacy Week wraps up at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 29, with a screening of "Top Gun," starring Tom Cruise, onboard the Midway.  For $10, you can watch the show, enjoy flight simulators, eat food provided by Kansas City Barbeque and meet the real Top Gun instructor Viper, who was the inspiration for the film's character of the same name.

Throughout Legacy Week, anyone who visits the museum can write a complimentary postcard to our troops overseas, which will be sent to several ships deployed around the world. The Navy will also have a dive tank near the entrance, conducting underwater rescue demonstrations. Also on display at the museum's entrance are the winners of the "What America Means to Me" contest. Twenty to 40 elementary student artworks will be displayed on the hangar deck near the museum entrance.

Midway officials anticipate more than 20,000 people will attend Legacy Week.  Also throughout the summer, until Labor Day, kids between 6 and 17 years of age get in free with every paid adult ticket (coupon).

For more information on Legacy Week, visit USS Midway Museum online or call 619-544-9600.

---