Veterans Day @ the USS Hornet 2022

Please join the USS Hornet as they honor Veterans Day. Veterans will be allowed on for FREE.

The USS Hornet will have a ceremony and guest speakers starting at 11:00 am. Featured speaker will be Leon Watkins of The Walking Ghosts of Black History. Leon will discuss his organization’s recently opened exhibit “African Americans in the Military” that is located on the 2nd deck of the USS Hornet Museum. The ceremony will culminate with a wreath toss off the fantail to honor our Veterans.

The USS Hornet will pay special tribute to U.S. Navy Commander Frederick Rutherford Schrader, who had been listed as MIA in WW2. The Defense POW / MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced that as of September 27, 2022 they accounted for Schrader.

After the ceremony, all guests are welcome to view the African Americans in the Military exhibit, and Leon Watkins will be on hand to answer any questions and provide background.

Event guests will include George Retelas and Tim Hampton, volunteers for the USS Hornet. They will have a table set up next to the TBM Avenger where they will be signing copies of the movie “Eleven” (created by George Retelas) about the USS Hornet’s famous Air Group 11 from World War II and they may be joined by Dick Miralles, the last known living member of Air Group 11 (His appearance is TBD for the moment).

At 1 PM, Ladies First will sing a set in the Hangar Bay. From Concord High School, Ladies First is a select barbershop group comprised of singers from grades 9-12. Last time they were on the ship they really amazed the crowd!

At 2 PM the official Memorial Squadron of the USS Hornet will make 2 passes overhead in their aircraft!