On Friday, 5 August, our second group of four STEM (Science, Technology, Education, and Math) Fellowship teachers completed their program at the Cold War Gallery. The lesson plans they developed will be launched this fall on the new U.S. Navy Museum website. We're really excited about the innovative topics developed by our two groups of teachers, covering a wide variety of subjects related to the new Covert Submarine Operations exhibit. The teachers capped their two week program with a trip to Norfolk, VA for a 90 minute tour of the nuclear attack submarine USS Helena (SSN 725).  

Once again, thanks go out to our members who contributed to a mid-year appeal to support this program and to the local Courtyard by Marriott Capitol Hill/Navy Yard for berthing our fellows. The Naval Historical Foundation was pleased to initiate this program and looks to expand its scope for next year.  

Our second group of STEM Fellowship teachers pose at the entrance to the Covert Submarine Operations exhibit at the Cold War Gallery. From left to right: Rich Gill, Ken Nagel, Ryan Gardner, Mark Clemente.

Captain Thomas J. Hudner, Jr., USN (Ret.) and a contingent of colleagues honored the Naval Historical Foundation with a visit on 28 July. Captain Hudner generously sponsored the creation of a model F4U-5 Corsair for display in the Navy Museum's Cold War Gallery. This Corsair is modeled after the aircraft he flew in 1950 during his heroic attempt to rescue Ensign Jesse L. Brown in Korea earning him the Medal of Honor.  A program sponsored by the Library of Congress' Veterans History program and held at the Navy Memorial honoring Ensign Brown, a pioneer African-American naval aviator, brought Captain Hudner to the DC area, and opened this opportunity for him to view the Corsair model and Cold War Gallery for the first time. For additional information regarding Captain Hudner, please visit the Naval History and Heritage Command's website. Joining Captain Hudner at the Gallery was Commander Roland M. Christensen, USN (Ret.). Commander Christensen was Ensign Brown's first Flight Instructor at Naval Air Station, Glenview. 

The Battleship Missouri Memorial will commemorate the 66^th anniversary of the formal end of history's most destructive war with a free public ceremony, titled "The End of the War in the Pacific," on Friday, Sept. 2, 2011, from 8 to 9 a.m. 

The event will be held on the Missouri's forward main deck, near the site where Supreme Allied Commander Gen. Douglas MacArthur and representatives from 10 nations assembled to accept Imperial Japan's formal, unconditional surrender on Sept. 2, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri (BB 63), then anchored in Tokyo Bay.

 
Suggested attire is aloha for civilians and summer whites or service equivalent for military personal.

In the shadow of the Mighty Mo's main guns, the commemorative ceremony will feature guest speakers, patriotic music, performances of a rifle salute and Echo Taps from atop the turret and superstructure, and opportunities for guests to tour the ship's decks. Speakers will include Dr. E. Bruce Heilman, WWII veteran and chancellor of the University of Richmond.

The USS Hornet Museum will honor Korean War veterans with its tribute "The Korean War: Forgotten No Longer" during its monthly Living Ship Day series on Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The day will feature firsthand accounts from naval aviators. Attendees will also learn how Gen. Douglas MacArthur and U.S. Forces bravely defended South Korea from the invading communist army. The event features two key speakers with a special introduction by a Korean War Navy Ace, Rear Admiral Vince Anzlotti, who was awarded the Legion Merit Medal and five Navy Commendation Medals.

The day's keynote speakers include:

Richard Fred Kaufman PhD, of Sacramento, recipient of the distinguished Flying Cross Medal, six Air Medals, two Navy Commendations, and three Korean Service Medals with the Korean Presidential Citation. He is also a retired Professor from California State University Sacramento. His pursuit of an academic career in later years led to a number of published articles, and a film production titled "A Carrier Pilot in the Forgotten War."

Daniel Vencill PhD, of Oakland currently teaches economics at San Francisco Sate University. Vencill received his doctorate from Stanford University and has published over 60 articles in his academic career. He is a WWII lecturer focusing on the Pacific Theater and has taught onboard Hornet since 2009. He will provide an enriching talk about General MacArthur and what we have learned from the Korean War Conflict.

In addition, the public will have the opportunity to speak with and meet other Korean War Veterans throughout the day.

The media and public are invited onboard for an array of special events that will appeal to people of all ages, including families with children. Among the day's highlights are a musical performance from the Honey Bee Trio, Korean Era Military Displays and Reenactors/Historical actors provided by the Santa Cruz Living History Group, and a big band performance. The USS Hornet Museum is located at 707 W Hornet Ave, Pier 3 in Alameda. Please visit their website for additional information. 

The 21st Reunion of the USS John R. Craig (DD 885) Reunion Association will be held September 7-11, 2011, in Rapid City, South Dakota. The event is being organized by the Association's Secretary, Jerry Chwalek, who can be reached at jermail@ameritech.net. Please visit their website http://www.ussjohnrcraig.com/ for further details.