LA Fleet Week Foundation in partnership with Veterans West at Battleship IOWA & Operation Comedy will host a gathering of hundreds of Veterans and Gold Star Families aboard the USS Iowa to honor their service in Afghanistan.
We look forward to hosting a terrific evening for our Operation Enduring Freedom Veterans and Gold Star families. The goal will be to come together for an in-person buddy check on the evening prior to the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks that sent us to Afghanistan. Obviously the news coming out of the withdrawal has been very unsettling for many, so we want this to be a great community event to help ease us through these difficult times. This event is FREE and open to ALL Veterans and Gold Star family members and a guest. All guests must be 21 or over. Complimentary coffee, wine and beer has been donated compliments of Anchor Steam, Bev Wine, Black Rifle Coffee, and Gilley’s. Battleship IOWA will be slinging dogs and sides at the brand new Vicky’s Dog House throughout the evening.
OPERATION COMEDY & CASINO NIGHT
FRIDAY, SEPT 10
6:30pm – Sunset reception, entertainment by DJ Ravidrums, followed by A special tribute to OEF Veterans and Gold Star Families & guest speaker
8pm – Midnight – Operation Comedy show featuring Jeff Ross, April Macie & Kate Quigley, musical performances, casino games with prizes, food & drinks
OUTDOOR EVENT & ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- The event will be held on the deck of the Battleship Iowa and is outdoors. We kindly request that you bring along proof of vaccination or a negative covid test taken within 48 hours of the event for admission.
- Must be 21 to enter the USS Iowa gangway.
- Certified Peer Support Specialists (also veterans themselves), provided by the Veterans Wests’ program, the Veteran Peer Access Network will be on-site to provide support.
- On-site parking is available for $2 an hour and the first hour is free.
PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS
Grab your tickets on our Eventbrite ticket link here!
NEED TO STAY OVERNIGHT
Special rate of $149 available at Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor Hotel. Please use this LINK to book your room BEFORE Sept. 6th.
Special rate of $149 available at Crowne Plaza Los Angeles Harbor Hotel. Please use this LINK to book your room BEFORE Sept. 6th.
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR M|V|A
In-Kind Sponsors:
Anchor Brewing Company, Gilley’s Beer, Aces & Eights Casino Company, Black Rifle Coffee Company, Bev Wine
In-Kind Sponsors:
Anchor Brewing Company, Gilley’s Beer, Aces & Eights Casino Company, Black Rifle Coffee Company, Bev Wine
IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTENDBUT WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT THIS EVENT
WE WILL BE PUTTING TOGETHER A WELCOME VIDEO WITH MESSAGES OF SUPPORT.
Please upload your video message here.
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please email Laurie Baker: LBaker@lafleetweek.org
If you’re able to contribute financially to help offset the operational costs of the event, you can do so by donating to the LA Fleet Week Foundation here. 100% of your charitable donation will contribute to the operating expenses of hosting this event.
—
Janice Bowman is a Coast Guard veteran, a member of the American Legion, and the programs manager for Military & Veterans Affairs at VETERANS WEST aboard the at Battleship IOWA.
Author: caLegion Contributor
The above article may contain opinions which are the author's own and may not necessarily reflect an official stance taken by The American Legion Department of California. We do our best to vet any information posted to the website. Please email webteam@calegion.org with any changes and/or corrections to anything published here.
