MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Jack Willard – 609-868-5664
j.willard@battleshipnewjersey.org
EVENT: BATTLESHIP SALUTES VETERANS AND UNVEILS VETERANS BANNERS
DATE: Today, Monday, November 11, 2024 11:00am
PLACE: Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial
WHAT: The Battleship New Jersey will salute all veterans today, Veterans Day, Monday, Nov. 11, with a ceremony on the ship’s forecastle (forward deck) at 11am. The Battleship will also unveil the new Veterans banners along the Battleship’s Promenade.
The Veterans Day ceremony, emceed by Capt. Walt Urban USN (Ret.), the Battleship’s Military Liaison Officer, will feature keynote remarks by John P. Keegan, President and Chair, Charles Edison Fund. Also on the agenda will be patriotic music performed by the group, Cohesion, the Presentation of the Colors by Marine Corps League, Giordano Detachment, a Bell Ringing Ceremony at 11am, and a memorial wreath Presentation, which will features Battleship volunteer Nan LaCorte perform TAPS on bugle as a wreath is casted upon the Delaware River.
At the conclusions of the Veterans Day Ceremony, the Battleship will officially dedicate the new Veterans banners along the Promenade. This year’s 24 veterans and military supporters include the four chaplains of the USS Dorchester, a ship torpedoed by a German submarine in the North Atlantic during World War II. After saving many lives, the Four Chaplains — two ministers, a priest, and a rabbi — gave their own life jackets to four GIs and went down with the ship. The chaplains are honored by the Chapel of the Four Chaplains in Philadelphia.
Another banner honoree is Medal of Honor (MOH) recipient CPL Michael J. Crescenz, USA. Mike is the only MOH recipient from Philadelphia who was awarded our Nation’s highest award for valor during the Vietnam War. Joe Crescenz (Mike’s brother) will be attending the ceremony along with a number of family members and friends of Mike’s. Joe Crescenz will be one of the presenters casting the wreath at the end of the ceremony.
The Battleship’s banners will also honor the parents of SGT Bryan L. Freeman, USA who was KIA in Iraq. Both of Bryan’s parents, Darlene and Bryan Freeman, will be attending as our Gold Star parents. They will also be participating in the wreath laying presentation. The Freeman’s reside in Burlington County.
Some light refreshments will be served prior to the ceremony, and the cutting and serving of cake will take place after the ceremony. The ceremony is free to attend.
PHOTO OPP: Veterans Speaking and Veteran Banners Unveiling at the Battleship New Jersey
Berthed on the Camden Waterfront along the Delaware River, the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial offers self-guided tours everyday from 10am 4pm, and guided tours daily at 12pm. Families can enjoy a hot breakfast served from the chow-line and kids can meet and get their photo with Santa Claus during our annual Breakfast with Santa, Dec. 14 at 9am. For tickets, call 866-877-6262 x108. For more information about programs and events at the Battleship, visit www.battleshipnewjersey.org.
