OCTOBER 9, 2024
Announcing Our 2024 FREEDOM OF THE SEAS AWARD Recipient
We’re thrilled and humbled to share this year’s FREEDOM OF THE SEAS Award recipient. They’ve been on the front lines, facing actual fire to protect our freedoms, and we’re honored to recognize their sacrifices.
The award will be presented to crew members of USS Samuel L Gravely (DDG-107) at the Freedom of the Seas Award Gala on Saturday, October 19, 2024, aboard the iconic Battleship IOWA in San Pedro.
Held in honor of the Battle of Leyte Gulf anniversary, the Freedom of the Seas Awards is the premiere annual event of the National Museum of the Surface Navy and Battleship IOWA. USS Gravely and its crew recently returned from a deployment to the Red Sea and will accept the capstone award on behalf of the ships and sailors operating in the Red Sea.
The Surface Navy operating in the Red Sea plays a crucial role in maintaining Freedom of the Seas. In addition to fighting Houthi terrorists, Somali pirates, and Iranian smugglers, they are showing the U.S. flag in the contested Red Sea waters through which fifteen percent of all world trade travels and the cables enabling underseas commerce between Africa, Europe, and Asia lie.
To learn more about the Freedom of the Seas Award and the forces active in the Red Sea, please click the button below.
What’s Happening On Battleship IOWA
Falling Upward: A Recovery Event
Join us aboard the ship this Friday, October 11 between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM for resources, speakers – including Vietnam War combat nurse turned California superior court justice Eileen Moore, and In ‘n’ Out burgers.
Halloween STEMebration
It’s almost that time again! C’mon down to Battleship IOWA on SUNDAY, Oct. 27th for tons of Halloween fun.
- Six Candy Stations
- Trunk-Or-Treat with first responders
- Game Stations
- Witch’s Ring Toss
- Boooo-wling
- Spider Rockets
- Eyeball Bounce
- Pumpkin Bean Bag Toss
- STEM/Craft Stations
- Halloween Simple Circuits
- Spooky Tangrams
- Slime Factory
- Candy Tower Challenge
- Spooky Reading Corner
- Franklin’s Marionettes on the fantail stage – Presented by the Port of LA
This event is open to the community thanks to the support from our generous education sponsors and community partners, including: Marathon Petroleum, Crail-Johnson Foundation, Kenneth T and Eileen L Norris Foundation, the Port of Los Angeles, Boeing, Black Knight Patrol, Port of Los Angeles Police, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles Fire Department, and more.
Marine Corps League Toys For Tots
From Luis Gallegos of the Marine Corps League’s “Big Stick Det. 1496”:
I would like to cordially invite you to join us at our Annual Toys for Tots event on November 2nd, 2024, from 10am-3pm. The mission of the Marine Toys for Tots program is to collect new unwrapped toys which in turn will be donated to less fortunate children during Christmas. The event will take place at the Historical USS IOWA located in San Pedro. There will be entertainment, food and fun for the whole family. There will be over 100 Star Wars characters from the 501st Legion who will be greeting and taking pictures with our guests. There will also be a DJ spinning some tunes and Santa Claus as our special guest. In addition, we will have Marine Corps exhibitors and the Young Marines. Active Duty Marines will be present wearing their Dress Blues. As part of this great event, any child 15 and under who brings an unwrapped toy valued at $20 will get a free meal and a free tour of the battleship with a full-paid admission of an adult.
Our goal is to reach as many families we can to come join us and celebrate with us. We would love to have you on the day of the event. I am here to answer any questions you may have or to provide more information.
(562) 355-5489
commandantbigstick1496@gmail.com
Reminder: Discounted Rates For Overnights
Our popular Camp Battleship overnight program is offering exclusive discounts for the following dates:
- Saturday, November 2, 2024 – Rate $100 per person
- Friday, November 8, 2024 – Rate $95 per person
- Saturday, November 16, 2024 – Rate $100 per person
- Friday, November 22, 2024 – Rate $95 per person
- Friday, December 6, 2024 – Rate $95 per person
- Friday, December 13, 2024 – Rate $95 per person
- Saturday, December 14, 2024 – Rate $95 per person
Spaces are limited, so secure your spot today!
- Visit our website
- Fill out and send the request form with your preferred date to overnights@labattleship.com
- Place $250.00 deposit
For more information and registration, click below.
Mystery Solved
Remember these blocks?
A few folks came forward with great guesses as to what they are. One even found a photo that appears to match what we’re looking at.
These blocks seem to be the bases for a set of stanchions that ran behind Turret 2 and held a chain barricade to keep people out of the turret radius as it turned.
Here’s a shot of a similar structure (inside the red square outline) in place on our sister ship MISSOURI (BB-63) during World War II.
Gotta love our community coming through with answers!
NOTE: If you prefer not to donate electronically, please mail your check to:
Attention: Development Department, 250 S. Harbor Blvd., San Pedro, CA 90731
Thank you to our 2023 donors for their generosity and support. Want to know how your donations are making a difference? Check out our ANNUAL REPORT here.
Want to see your name on the 2024 donor list? There’s still time to make a tax-deductible contribution to our organization.
Fun Fact: We’re now over 15,000 plank owners of the National Museum of the Surface Navy!
