Keiki of deployed families take part in an overnight stay on the Mighty Mo just in time for Christmas
Pearl Harbor, HI – (December 18, 2017) – This year, the Battleship Missouri Memorial hosted an overnight encampment for children of deployed families stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Operation Santa 2017 welcomed keiki 10-16 years old from Saturday, December 16 at 4 p.m. to Sunday, December 17 at 8:30 a.m. on the historic USS Missouri.
“The holidays are a time to spend with loved ones and share in the spirit of happiness,” said Mike Carr, president and CEO of the USS Missouri Memorial Association, caretaker of the Battleship Missouri Memorial. “We want to make sure our military keiki experience a joyful Christmas while one or both of their parents are serving our country.”
The event kicked off with a late-afternoon tour of the Mighty Mo, activity stations, followed by a gourmet Christmas dinner on the ship’s mess deck and crafting of a special message to their deployed family member. The overnight event ended with an early morning Hawaiian-style breakfast and a special appearance by Santa.
“To see every child in attendance for Operation Santa with a big smile on their face meant we made a positive impact on them this Christmas season,” said Dan Parsons, Director of Education at the USS Missouri Memorial Association. “These activities onboard the Battleship Missouri allow our future generation to experience this living piece of history and take part in honoring her legacy, and really understand why their parents serve our country.”
The Battleship Missouri Memorial offers a variety of educational programs and experiences to learn more about the Mighty Mo’s role in World War II, the Korean War, and Operation Desert Storm. The programs are open to teachers, students and parents who would like to engage and explore over 70 years of history on the Battleship Missouri.
Operation Santa 2017 was made possible with the help and support of the United Service Organization (USO)- Hawaii, Military and Family Support Center at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Historic Naval Ship Association, Green Tree Café, Roberts Hawaii, Navy League, Coca-Cola Hawaii, and Magic Memories.
Please credit the following images to Battleship Missouri Memorial.
Link to image: https://imgur.com/FKLT3eW
Caption: Keiki of deployed families at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam took part in an overnight stay on the Mighty Mo.
Link to image: https://imgur.com/OpxrM0w
Caption: Santa and his elf made a special appearance to visit each keiki during Operation Santa 2017.
Link to image: https://imgur.com/5aZZ57t
Caption: Keiki take part in various activities during their overnight stay on the Battleship Missouri Memorial.
Battleship Missouri Memorial
Since opening in January 1999, the Battleship Missouri Memorial has attracted more than 7-million visitors from around the world with a fascinating tour experience showcasing the USS Missouri’s unique place in history. Located a mere ship’s length from the USS Arizona Memorial, the Mighty Mo completes a historical visitor experience that begins with the “day of infamy” and sinking of the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and ends with Japan’s formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945.
The USS Missouri had an astounding career over five decades and three wars – World War II, the Korean War, and Desert Storm – after which it was decommissioned and donated to the USS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Association operates the Battleship Missouri Memorial as a historic attraction and oversees her care and preservation with the support of visitors, memberships, grants, and donations.
The Battleship Missouri Memorial is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. General admission, which includes choice of an optional tour, is $27 per adult and $13 per child (4-12). Military, kama‘aina (local resident) and school group pricing is available. For information or reservations, call (toll-free) 1-877-644-4896 or visit USSMissouri.org
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Jaclyn Hawse
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