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

If you can’t make it in person, the ceremony is live on Twitch: https://m.twitch.tv/usshornetmuseum

We will have a ceremony and guest speakers starting at 11 am. Our 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. We will culminate with a wreath toss off the fantail to honor our Veterans.  

We 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 of our 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.  

Other guests will include George Retelas and Tim Hampton, volunteers for the USS Hornet. They will have a table set up next to our 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!

Links for more information on speakers and guests:

The Walking Ghost Of Back History (thewalkingghostsofblackhistory.yolasite.com) 

“Eleven” The Movie | Offical Site & Trailer (eleventhemovie.com) 

Ladies First – Concord Choir (chsminutemenchoirs.net) 

(2) Memorial Squadron | Danville CA | Facebook