Kids & Family
Hornet Pays Tribute to Tuskegee Veterans March 17
The event is part of the monthly Living Ship Day on the carrier
The USS Hornet Museum will pay tribute to several local veterans of the famed WWII Tuskegee Air Squadron on March 17 as part of its Living Ship Day.
The event begins at 1 p.m. with a presentation by the Tuskegee veterans sharing their experiences. It will be followed by a meet and greet.
Find out what's happening in Alamedawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A number of musical performances and activities will take between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Among the musical performers are The Frisky Frolics and the Swinging Blues Stars who take the stage at 12:30 p.m. There will also be a variety of children’s activities.
The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military aviators in the United States Armed Forces. They fought and flew with distinction during World War II. Their story was recently chronicled in Red Tails. Despite the racial discrimination they faced both in and outside the Army, they trained and flew with distinction. In recognition of their efforts and bravery, the Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
Find out what's happening in Alamedawith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Among those scheduled to attend include Capt. Edward Woodward of Vallejo. He joined the Tuskegee Squadron in 1945 and served 30 years in the military. Lt. Lee Roy Gillead of San Francisco trained in the B-25 Bomber program and is a Tuskegee author and historian. Also expected are Capt. Les Williams of Belmont, who was the first pilot to graduate from the B-25 Bomber program, Lt. Burl Smith of Oakland who was trained as a fighter pilot, Sgt. Clyde Grimes of Oakland, who was in intelligence bureau of Tuskegee Airmen, and Lt. Col Harold Hoskins of Danville, who was in the class of 46A, also served in Vietnam from 1963-1964.
Any other Tuskegee veterans will be given complimentary admission to the museum that day.
During Living Ship Day aboard the U.S.S. Hornet the museum comes to life as an operating aircraft carrier with flight simulations between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., when aircraft are lifted to the flight deck and placed into launch position. Visitors can meet former crew, sit in the cockpit of a fighter jet, and enjoy the sights and sounds of naval aviation.
These demonstrations are held on the third Saturday of most months. Normal museum hours and admission prices apply. Museum members receive free admission. Free parking is available across from the pier.
Regular museum admission is $6-$15 for youths through adults. For more call (510) 521-8448.
