Battleship Missouri Memorial To Honor Veterans At Sunset Ceremony, November 11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BATTLESHIP MISSOURI MEMORIAL TO HONOR VETERANS AT SUNSET CEREMONY, NOVEMBER 11
U.S. Representative and combat veteran Tulsi Gabbard to deliver keynote address

(NOTE: Media wanting to cover the ceremony are asked to RSVP to Ashley Nagaoka of Anthology Marketing Group at ashley.nagaoka@anthologygroup.com or 808-238-1724, by Wednesday, Nov. 4. For access to the Battleship Missouri Memorial, a Public Affairs Officer from Navy Region Public Affairs must escort media members across the Ford Island Bridge. Please meet the media escort at Schooners Restaurant, 57 Arizona Memorial Drive, Bldg. 604, on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 3:30 p.m.)

Pearl Harbor, HI – (Oct. 16, 2015) – Services around the world honoring the sacrifice and valor of our nation’s veterans will come to a close with a special Veterans Day sunset ceremony onboard the Battleship Missouri Memorial on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

This free event will honor the service of all our nation’s veterans and feature a special tribute to those who served in the Vietnam War, as this year marks the 40th anniversary of its conclusion.  

“It is an honor to host our nation’s final Veterans Day service onboard the majestic USS Missouri, which today stands in the waters of Pearl Harbor as a historic symbol of peace that reflects all of our veterans’ steadfast courage and commitment,” said Michael Carr, president & CEO of the USS Missouri Memorial Association. “We look forward to honoring America’s heroes and their families who have sacrificed so much to protect the country and freedoms we cherish every day.”

U.S. Representative and combat veteran Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) will deliver the keynote address. Rep. Gabbard is a member of both the House Armed Services Committee and House Committee on Foreign Affairs. She also serves as a Military Police Major in the Hawaii Army National Guard, where she served two tours of duty in the Middle East.   

Capt. Gerald “Jerry” Coffee, USN (Ret.), Vietnam War veteran and prisoner of war for seven years, will address attendees as the ceremony’s distinguished guest speaker. Tim Guard, Chairman of the Board for the USS Missouri Memorial Association and Vietnam veteran, will also present remarks.

The event runs from 4:30-5:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public. Complimentary round-trip shuttle service for the ceremony will be offered from the Pearl Harbor Visitor Center beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Battleship Missouri Memorial
Since opening in January 1999, the Battleship Missouri Memorial has attracted more than 6-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 $25 per adult and $13 per child (4-12). Military, kamaaina (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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Please credit image to the Battleship Missouri Memorial

Link to image: http://i.imgur.com/lPtR4pt.jpg
Caption: Today, the USS Missouri rests in the heart of Pearl Harbor at the 1,000-foot Pier Foxtrot-5 on Ford Island.

Media Contact:
Ashley Nagaoka    
(808) 238-1724    
Ashley.Nagaoka@anthologygroup.com  

Jaclyn Hawse
(808) 455-1600 ext. 246
JaclynH@ussmissouri.org