MOBILE, Alabama -- The 70th anniversary of the commissioning of the Battleship USS Alabama will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday and will include keynote speaker Richard P. Brown, a member of the initial commissioning crew of the battleship.
The ceremony, which is open to the public, takes place on about the same day and the same hour as when the battleship entered the Navy for service 70 years ago, according to Bill Tunnell, executive director of Battleship Memorial Park.
"The event is about remembering what was going on at that time, and we may touch on what the battleship means to the Mobile community since its retirement in Mobile," he said.
Former Navy sailors and part of the original World War II crew from the battleship will be present, and the crew and battleship exploits will be recognized.
"We will salute those who are here who served on the crew and remember those who are no longer with us," said Tunnell.
The U.S. Navy Brass Quintet from New Orleans will perform, as well.
Battleship Memorial Park, which has been open for 47 years, has had a significant economic impact on the community. Admission revenue, according to Tunnell, has been more than half a billion dollars statewide. The park does not receive funds from the state, but makes money from admission fees, gift store sales, event rentals and donations.
For this special event, officials are asking the public to contribute $100 in honor or in remembrance of someone who is now serving or has served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Brandi Stoddard and Daniel McClough, visitors from Washington state, walk along the deck of the USS Alabama (Press-RegisterBill Starling)Money raised by the campaign will fund a new audio tour for Battleship Memorial Park and will also include a complete refurbishment of the Uptake Theater on Main Deck. Someone has been hired to write the script and sound effects for the audio tour, and AT&T will provide a wi-fi system throughout the ship so the audio tour will be available on iPhones and iPads. According to Tunnell, the audio will feature crew members who served more than 70 years ago.
"Today's visitors would prefer to be told. The whole tour gives us an opportunity to give more information to those who want it on various places throughout Battleship Park," said Tunnell. He said he is hoping to have the audio tour completed by next spring.
The ship is also in the process of being refurbished, taking the ship back to its original colors and equipment. "We're hoping once visitation starts dropping off in the fall, we can clean and build new displays. Eventually visitors will be able to see the ship exactly like it was in 1947," said Tunnell.
Tunnell encouraged the public to take part in Thursday's rare event. "It's not every year an American war ship gets to celebrate its 70th," he said. Alabama residents who can provide an Alabama ID will be able to tour the battleship free of charge all day Thursday.
For more information, contact Battleship Memorial Park at 251-433-2703 or visit the park's official website.
