November 11: Celebrate Veterans Day/Remembrance Day Onboard USS Hornet
The USS Hornet Museum in Alameda, CA will pay tribute to veterans from the United States and Great Britain in a Veterans Day/Remembrance Day Ceremony on Fri., Nov. 11, 2011 at 11am. The event will be held on the USS Hornet to recognize all veterans.
Online, November 6, 2011 (Newswire.com) - For the first time in its history, the USS Hornet Museum will host a combined United States and Great Britain Veteran's Day / Remembrance Day Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 11. This special joint memorial service will be held on the USS Hornet to recognize all veterans. The aircraft carrier is docked at the former naval air station in Alameda. The public and the media are invited to take part in this special observance.
In Great Britain, Remembrance Day was known as Armistice Day, the name was changed to Remembrance Day after World War II. It marks the signing of the Armistice which occurred in 1918 on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month bringing an end to World War I.
The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. with the singing of both the American and British National Anthems by the Honey Bee Trio, followed by the Queen's Club of San Francisco, a private British-American officers club. Bagpiper Jim Marsh will play "The Crags of Tumbledown Mountain," a tribute to the Scotts Guards. It will be followed by a moment of silence to honor all veterans past and present who fought to defend the freedom we share today. The Hornet band will be performing throughout the day.
Kate McNally of the British Consulate in San Francisco, will be on hand to take part in this special joint service.
Several guest speakers will be featured including: Vice Admiral Manson K. Brown, USCG, Pacific Area Commander and Defense Force West, will pay tribute to the veterans; and Ret. U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Thomas F. Brown III.
David Styles who served in the British Royal Air Force. Styles, a noted British historian in aviation and the automotive field, will talk about how the United States and Great Britain stood "shoulder-to-shoulder" during both the first and second world wars. Later in the day, Styles will debut his latest novel, "Two Flights to Victory" which chronicles the two key raids that bookend WWII - the Doolittle Raid in 1942 and the bombing of Hiroshima in 1945. Styles was recently appointed Volunteer Aviation Historian at the California State Military Museum.
The Hornet's Resident Chaplain John Berger, will pay respect to all veterans with a special service, followed by a wreath tossing ceremony. Flowers will be provided for those who wish to participate.
All military veterans wearing unit jackets, hats or who have proper ID will receive free admission to the day's events. Admission prices for the general public range from $6-15. Parking is free.
The commemoration is part of the Hornet's monthly Living Ship Day (weather permitting) when the museum comes to life as an operating aircraft carrier. Visitors can meet former crew, sit in the cockpit of a fighter jet, and enjoy the sights and sounds of naval aviation.
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About the USS Hornet Museum:
The USS Hornet Museum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to inspiring people of all ages to experience the legacy of naval history, science, and space technology. A registered state and national historic landmark, the ship is permanently berthed at 707 W. Hornet Avenue, Pier 3 in Alameda, CA. The ship is open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Regular museum admission is $6-$15 for youths through adults and there is ample free parking across from the pier. For more information, visit www.uss-hornet.org or call (510) 521-8448.