USS Midway Museum to Host Veterans Day Celebration

Contact: Barbara Moreno (619) 686-6216

The USS Midway Museum, one of America’s longest serving aircraft carriers, will honor our nation’s military and veterans this Veterans Day with activities, celebrations and an added bonus of free admission to all veterans on Wednesday, November 11.

"What better way to inspire today's generation about service to their country than to participate in living history?" said Scott McGaugh, marketing director of the USS Midway Museum. “The Veterans Day Parade, plus the family-style activities aboard the USS Midway, are designed not only to honor veterans, but to educate and inspire today's youngsters about serving their country."

A naturalization ceremony for active duty personnel will begin the celebration aboard the USS Midway at 9 a.m. At 11 a.m. the 23rd annual San Diego County Veterans Day Parade will follow Pacific Highway and Cedar Street then proceed south to end at West Harbor Drive. According to the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center Veterans Day Parade Committee, “Welcome Home Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans” is this year’s theme, honoring veterans who served the ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Midway is encouraging all parade participants to come to the museum following the parade.  A special ceremony will take place on the USS Midway at 3 p.m., as active duty and veterans who flew the WWII F4U Corsair will be presented. A restored WWII Corsair fighter plane will then be lifted by crane onto the flight deck, to be led by Padres announcer and former Corsair pilot, Jerry Coleman.

Aside from visiting the 60 exhibits and 25 restored aircraft aboard the Midway, families will have front-row seats to high-energy entertainment by local band NRG, sneak previews of the History Channel’s new series “WWII in HD” and aerial exhibitions by California’s first parachute team, Skydiving Innovations. Chula Vista’s own Little League World Series Champs, the Parkview All-Stars, will also be on hand.

The San Diego Blood Bank and AM 600 KOGO will accept blood donations in the Museum’s parking lot, giving free admission to each blood donor plus a chance to win a free family museum membership. Appointments can be made online or by calling 1-800-4MY-SDBB.

The festivities will continue into the night as the USS Midway Museum and the non-profit group Freedom is Not Free, which serves the military and their families, feature the critically acclaimed movie, "The Hurt Locker," in a pre-DVD release premiere aboard the carrier at 6 pm. The $20 general admission price includes popcorn and one complimentary soda. The movie is rated “R.” Minors must be accompanied by parent or guardian.

For more information on the Veterans Day celebration, visit USS Midway Museum online or call 619-544-9600. The USS Midway is located at 910 N. Harbor Drive.

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