On Monday, December 7, 2020, the American Airpower Museum hosts their annual “Dropping of the Roses” Pearl Harbor Anniversary Memorial Ceremony conducted by the Long Island Air Force Association (LIAFA). The American Airpower Museum (AAM) has provided space for this event each year ever since the museum opened in 2000. December 7, 2020, is the 79th Anniversary of the Japanese attack on the U.S. Navy Fleet based at Pearl Harbor.
There will be welcoming remarks given by Col. (ret.) Bill Stratemeier, Treasurer, LIAFA. Various VIPs will offer remarks, including Laura Curran, Nassau County Executive, Tom Ronayne, Director, Suffolk County Veterans Services, plus several World War II Veterans will be on hand. A Navy Chaplain will conduct a Blessing of the Roses, Taps will be played and Roses presented to our Pilot who will depart AAM’s ramp in a vintage military aircraft to drop the Roses over New York’s Statue of Liberty.
While AAM usually has an audience of 350 or more, we are restricted this year to no more than 50 due to the Covid-19 pandemic; therefore this event is not open to the public. AAM will comply with all CDC protocols and looks forward to a normal “Dropping of the Roses” ceremony in 2021.
Ceremonies such as this are important to help keep the history of World War II alive. Americans should never forget the contributions and sacrifices of our Veterans. By publicizing this event, the media supports our mission to honor Veterans and U.S. military history by educating the public and preserving historic aircraft and their legacy for future generations.
The American Airpower Museum (AAM) is an aviation museum located on the landmarked former site of Republic Aviation at Republic Airport, Farmingdale, NY. The Museum maintains a collection of aviation artifacts and an array of aircraft spanning the many years of the aircraft factory’s history. The Museum is a 501 (c) (3) Nonprofit Educational Foundation. AAM is Long Island’s only flying military aviation museum.