Navy Plans Anniversary Celebration for October on the Midway

The USS Midway Museum and the local Navy community are celebrating the sea service’s 237th birthday with three days of public events, some free, on the historic warship, Oct. 9-13.

The festivities begin with the Navy Boot Camp Challenge, Oct. 11 and 12, on the flight deck of the USS Midway. Test your physical fitness ability against that of local active-duty sailors in free intermediate and hardcore advanced classes.

Space is limited for each of the classes both days, so register today. Workouts begin promptly at 7 a.m. You must be 16 to register.

Later on Thursday, Oct. 11, the USS Midway Museum presents a special screening of the 2012 movie “Battleship,” starring Taylor Kitsch, Liam Neeson, Alexander Skarsgård and Rihanna. San Diego-based warships are featured in the movie, including the destroyers John Paul Jones and Sampson and the amphibious assault ship Bonhomme Richard.

Navy displays and demonstrations are planned for the evening, and the movie’s technical advisor will share behind-the-scenes stories and answer questions from the audience. The event starts at 6 p.m. General admission tickets are $10 and can be purchased at www.midway.org.

Navy Band Southwest will perform a special Navy birthday concert on Midway’s flight deck Saturday, Oct. 13. During the concert the Navy will recognize “Champion Award” recipients, local people who have made a positive impact on the lives of sailors and their families. The free concert begins at 1 p.m.

For more information about Navy birthday events in San Diego, contact Lt. Cmdr. Cate Cook at (619) 532-1430.

– From a Navy news release.