2012 Events Calendar

ARMED FORCES DAY WEEKEND MAY 18-19

 LST 393  will honor America’s heroes this year on Armed Forces Day weekend, May 18-19.

On May 18, veterans affairs coordinator Dan Weikel is working with state and local VA offices to sponsor a “veterans only” job fair. As many as 60 companies from across Michigan will set up aboard LST 393 to interview job-seeking veterans. Unfortunately, the jobless rate among veterans in Michigan is much higher than it is for non-veterans.

The job fair opens at 10 a.m. Friday, May 18. Companies interested in interviewing veterans may call the following contacts for detailed information:

* Dave Eling, Muskegon County Veterans Affairs Office, 231.724.7143

* Jesse Mikaelsen, State VA Representative, 231.739.9010

* State Rep. Holly Hughes, 877.633.0331.

Veterans interested in being interviewed only need to show up.

The tribute continues on Saturday with events starting at 10 a.m. The program and tours through LST 393 and the Museum will be free that day, although donations will be appreciated. There will be static displays of World War II and current military vehicles as well as displays and sales of military memorabilia.The Grand Rapids Accordion Ensemble will perform from 11 a.m. to noon.

The formal program begins at noon and includes:

  * All-American anthems by Metropolitan Opera Star Gwenneth Bean

* Patriotic songs by the Leffring Sisters

* American Legion 9 will present and post the colors.

* A keynote address by Dave Eling, director of the Muskegon County Veterans Affairs Office.

* Susan Harrison Wollfis narrating the setting and the meaning of the “Missing Man’s Table.”

* Special focus this year will be on Purple Heart recipients and former Prisoners of War. We encourage all veterans (or the families of a veteran) who fit into one of these categories to contact us at 231.288.4012 prior to the event so a certificate of appreciation may be prepared for each one of them – to be awarded at this ceremony.

* The ceremony ends with a 21-gun salute, Taps, and a fly-over of rare World War II-era Warbirds.

After the formal program, visitors are invited to stay for:

* A program on “How to Care For and Fly the American Flag,” will be presented by retired Navy Chief  Rhett Sease.

* A concert starting at 6 p.m. by the West Michigan Concert Winds. There will be a charge for this concert, $5 per person.

Visitors can view the many tables set up with military memorabilia and artifacts that are for sale by local military collectors. Anyone may rent a table for that day to display and sell their military items (all items must be military). To reserve a table ($25 each), call 231.288.4012. All proceeds from the rental of these tables goes to projects and services honoring our veterans.

Also scheduled that day will be a live demonstration of a WWII tracked landing LTV-4. Commonly called a “Buffalo,” this vehicle is the type used at the invasions of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. A special detailed collection of models depicting the men and equipment of the WWII U.S. 761st Tank Battalion, and the trucks of the “Red Ball Express,” will be available for inspection, as well as the largest collection of American fighting knives in the Midwest. There will be a special appearance of the WWII “Bazooka Man.”

Aboard the ship, LST 393, will be the grand opening of the LST 393 Veterans Museum’s two newest permanent displays…. “Tribute to American Women in the Military,” and the “Tuskegee Airmen.”

The USS LST 393 Veterans Museum is an official drop off location for food items being donated the “Muskegon County Needy Veterans Food Pantry.”

The Muskegon Lions Club will again have their great food available for purchase on both Friday and Saturday.

LST 393’s Friday Night "Movies On Deck"

Beginning in June, stay tuned for LST 393 Friday Night "Movies On Deck," featuring full length feature films every Friday night at dark. The ship opens at 8 p.m.

See great movies on LST 393's giant screen after you watch a magnificent sunset. In case of rain, the movie will be shown inside on the warship's cavernous Tank Deck.

There is no admission charge, but donations are gratefully excepted to help fund the veteran museum's mission.

Bring the family, your own comfy chairs, blanket, snacks (or buy ours) and head for LST 393.

Popcorn, candy and soft drinks are sold for $1.

Tentative 2012 "Movies On Deck" schedule

   JUNE 8 – Goonies (1985)

JUNE 15 -- The Maltese Falcon (1941) Humphrey Bogart

JUNE 22 -- Our Hospitality (1923) Buster Keaton.

JULY 13 -- Destination Tokyo (1943) Cary Grant

JULY 20 -- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) Harrison Ford

AUG. 3 -- Sands of Iwo Jima (1949) John Wayne

AUG. 17 -- Buck Privates (1940) Abbott and Costello.

  AUG. 24 --People's Choice as voted throughout the summer.

 Also on 2012 Calendar

April 29 -- Gun and Knife Show

May 18-19 -- Armed Forces Day

July 4 -- Muskegon Lake Fireworks

Sept. 16 -- Gun and Knife Show

Schedule your events

USS LST 393 is a unique and historic facility ready to host your next social, corporate, or special event. Nestled at the foot of downtown Muskegon on beautiful Muskegon Lake, LST 393 provides an outstanding backdrop for your special occasions.

Meetings, dinners, receptions…

Historic and reasonably-priced facilities for social, corporate, and special events... For groups from 10 to 300.  Special dinners, reunions, weddings, dances, plays, movies, and parties are even more special aboard LST 393. Full or abridged tours of the ship can easily be added to bring even more enjoyment and meaning to the experience.

There is plenty of room, either indoors in the expansive Tank Deck meeting space, or outdoors, on the topside Weather Deck with available party tent.

We can do it all for you!..

Our event staff will be pleased to assist you with your total package needs, including catering recommendations, audio-visual equipment, and entertainment options.

For your next historic event, please call us at (231) 288-4503 or (231) 730-1477.

For wedding receptions, youth sleepovers and family gatherings, please call (231) 288-4503 or (231) 730-1477.