Memorial Day on Battleship IOWA: A Celebration of Military Lives Lost

Battleship IOWA, the former WWII warship turned naval museum, honors those who served with family activities and reverence this Memorial Day. Visitors to this historic vessel anchored at the Port of Los Angeles will be able to donate a dollar for a flag, allowing the banner to wave in honor of a loved one lost in battle or remembrance. City of Los Angeles dignitaries, veterans, current military and Battleship IOWA VIPs will be on board to speak about the national day of remembrance as well as honor visiting military. All the events will take place on board the museum’s decks. Gangplanks open at 10am and the last tour ticket sold at 4pm.

While part of the holiday’s event commemorates those lost in service, there is also much to celebrate. The Battleship IOWA’s festivities include:

• The debut of the Annual San Pedro Fish Market World Famous Shrimp-Eating Championship presented by The Kings of Fi$h (an award-winning web-series produced by San Pedro First Market) featuring 15 Major League Eaters, including the number-one-ranked Joey Chestnut.
• The San Pedro Ballet performs.
• Face-painting.
• Food and beverages provided by San Pedro Brewing. A specially brewed IPA named “Battleship” will be on tap to enjoy with the BBQ prepared on-site.
• Remarks by museum and city officials.

“Battleship IOWA is proud to celebrate the memories of those lost while defending our freedoms and liberties. These are items that as citizens, we sometimes take for granted,” says Jonathan Williams, CEO and President of Battleship IOWA. “While the day is a commemoration of the fallen; we also need to rejoice in our good fortune.”

More about Battleship IOWA Museum.