Battleship Texas Commemorates 75th anniversary of D-Day June 8
Event features a special exhibit of D-Day-related artifacts from the ship’s collections, a pop-up museum sponsored by the Houston Maritime Museum, live big band music and more
LA PORTE— Battleship Texas State Historic Site will commemorate the 75th anniversary of D-Day with a day of activities from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 8. Admission to the ceremony is free and open to the public and boarding will begin at 7:30 a.m. Regular ship admission will be charged beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The event will kick off with a ceremony at 8 a.m. on the bow of the ship to recognize Battleship Texas crewmembers and their families as well as members of other branches of the military. Remarks will be given by retired Navy Rear Adm. Samuel J. Cox, director of the Naval History and Heritage Command in Washington, D.C.
Special ceremony participants include the Houston Wing: Commemorative Air Force, the Patriot Guard Riders, The Jazz Connection, AirSports Skydiving Team, U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, and Cub Scout Pack 1292, Flaming Arrow District, Sam Houston Area Council.
Following the ceremony, docents from the First Texas Volunteer will tell stories of Texas’s service during D-Day, while re-enactors from Lone Star Living History Association and Sixth Cavalry Historical Association portray Texas crewmembers, U.S. Army Rangers and POWs throughout the ship.
A special exhibit of D-Day-related artifacts from the ship’s collections will be on display, including a microphone reportedly used by Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Off the ship, an “encampment” will feature vintage military vehicles, a pop-up museum sponsored by the Houston Maritime Museum, and entertainment from 1940s-style singer Maria Thorne and the Big Band sounds of The Jazz Connection. All activities off the ship are free and open to the public.
Food and refreshments will be available from local food trucks The Lunch Bag and Smoothie Strong, and in the park’s Ship Store.
Battleship TEXAS is owned and operated by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The Battleship TEXAS is permanently moored adjacent to the San Jacinto Monument, 3523 Independence Parkway, in LaPorte, Texas.
