NEW ORLEANS (May 8, 2007) – The National World War II Museum will celebrate Armed Forces Day on Saturday, May 19, 2007, with free admission for veterans, active military, Guard and Reserve and their immediate families, generously sponsored by Harrah’s Entertainment Veterans Partnership and Mr. and Mrs. Phil Satre. The Museum, in partnership with the Mayor’s Military Advisory Committee, will also host a full day of performances and programs that are open to the public, plus displays and presentations from all service branches.
10:00 a.m.
Music by the U.S. Marine Corps Band
11:00 a.m.
Salute to the Armed Forces
A short program to honor all past and present members of the Armed Services
Presentation of Community Service Awards
The Mayor’s Military Advisory Committee will present Community Service Awards to members of the military commands who have performed outstanding service to the community, over and above their normal military duties.
11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Living History Corps
The Museum’s World War II re-enactors, collectively known as the Living History Corps, are local volunteers who enrich the visitor’s Museum experience with their wealth of information and stories. Wearing the uniforms and carrying the equipment of both the Allied and Axis forces, they share their knowledge about the day-to-day lives of military men and women and the broader lessons of World War II. This event is free to the public.
1:00 p.m.
Meet the Author - Yank Magazine reporter Barrett McGurn
Barrett McGurn was a reporter for the New York and International Herald Tribunes from 1935 to 1966. He served sixteen years as Bureau Chief in Rome, Paris, and Moscow, where he received journalism awards as the year's best foreign correspondent for his coverage of the French North African War of 1955 and the Hungarian Revolution of 1956. Joining the government in 1966, he was Press Attaché of the American Embassy in Rome, Counselor for Press Affairs and Embassy Spokesman in Saigon, Assistant Press Officer of the Department of State, and from 1973 to 1982, Public Information Officer for the Supreme Court.
2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Music by the American Legion Metairie Post 175 Band
9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Special Exhibit – Boats of Wood, Men of Steel: Wooden Combat Vessels in World War II
In an era when most combat boats and ships were made of steel, wooden combat vessels represented something of a design regression. However, these crafts were built of wood to serve specific and important purposes and would prove invaluable to the Allied victory. The National World War II Museum explores the story behind these engineering anomalies with the special exhibition, Boats of Wood, Men of Steel: Wooden Combat Vessels in WWII. The exhibit, drawing on Museum collections as well as artifacts loaned from select individuals, will be on display through May 20, 2007.
For more information on this day-long event, call 504-527-6012 x 234.