The San Diego Air & Space Museum is saluting the 250th Anniversary of the United States Navy during a special ceremony featuring the ringing of the Spirit of Liberty Foundation’s America’s Freedom Bell on Monday October 13 beginning with early admission at 9:30 am, the Museum announced today. Monday’s Salute honors all active-duty military, their families and veterans of the U.S. Navy.

The Museum will be opening early at 9:30 am to all active-duty military, veterans and their families who wish to participate in the salute. In honor of the Navy’s 250th Anniversary, admission to the Museum is free all day Monday, October 13 for active-duty military and their families, members of the reserve and National Guard, and veterans.

“We take great pride in honoring the United States Navy and its tremendous positive impact on San Diego every day of the year, especially on the day of its 250th Anniversary,” said Jim Kidrick, President & CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. “As a U.S. Navy veteran, I know from personal experience how important the support of their families is for active-duty military. We’re proud to show our appreciation of the U.S. Navy, their families and all former members of the military by welcoming them into the Museum on the Navy’s special day.” The U.S.

Navy’s 250 Anniversary Salute includes:
• The reading of a statement from the San Diego Air & Space Museum saluting the U.S. Navy on its 250th Anniversary by a Museum docent who is a Navy veteran.
• The ringing of the Spirit of Liberty’s Foundation America’s Freedom Bell nine times, including eight for the last year and the End of the Watch, and one time for the new year and the Start of the Watch.
• Following the Salute, all current and former members of the U.S. Navy and any branch of the military in attendance are welcome to ring the Spirit of Liberty Foundation’s America’s Freedom Bell for a short period immediately after the ceremony in honor of their service or in memory of a family member or loved one.

The Museum is home to numerous artifacts and displays honoring the U.S. Navy, including a rare Sea Dart out front, and a PBY Catalina and F4 Phantom in the Pavilion of Flight. A Curtiss Triad, the first airplane ever sold to the Navy, is on display in the World War I Gallery. The Museum’s World War II Gallery has four classic Navy aircraft, including an SBD Dauntless, F6F Hellcat, F4F Wildcat, and a Corsair painted in the markings of Col. Jerry Coleman, the only professional baseball player to see combat in both World War II and Korea. There also is an impressive display of iconic U.S. Navy aircraft carriers in the World War II Gallery, as well as a walk-in carrier ready room. The Museum’s Jet Age Gallery includes an F18 Blue Angel, an A4 Skyhawk, and cockpits of an A7 Corsair II and A4. The “Space Our Greatest Adventure” special exhibition features a one-of-a-kind tribute to former naval aviator and San Diegan Wally Schirra, the only NASA astronaut to fly in space during the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs. The Museum’s International Air & Space Hall of Fame portrait gallery honors dozens of former naval aviators, as well the Blue Angels, Top Gun, and the 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation.

America’s Freedom Bell was created by The Spirit of Liberty Foundation. It was cast on June 6, 2013, to honor America’s Heroes and Armed Forces. The Bell contains 330lbs. of bronze, and 11lbs. of steel salvaged from the 9/11 Twin Towers. The Bell has the Official Emblems of each branch of the Armed Forces embossed encircling it in the order of their founding: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and the Coast Guard. It is inscribed with the words: “HONORING OUR ARMED FORCES PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE.”