American Airpower Museum To Commemorate Anniversary Of Pearl Harbor With Annual Dropping Of The Roses

PRESS RELEASE

December 7, 2024, is the 83rd Anniversary of the Japanese attack on the U.S. Naval Fleet at Pearl Harbor.  To commemorate the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, the American Airpower Museum (AAM)  will host their annual “Dropping of the Roses” event.  It will feature a vintage World War II AT-6D Texan military aircraft which takes off at 12:30 pm on December 7th from Hangar 3 at the American Airpower Museum, and flies to the Statue of Liberty to drop roses at 12:55 pm, the exact time in New York that Pearl Harbor was attacked. 

 The public will witness a solemn ceremony remembering all who served and those who perished at Pearl Harbor, plus a Color Guard from the Navy Reserves and veterans’ organizations. The day’s activities will also include the honoring of WWII veterans. Guests will watch as the Chaplain conducts the blessing of 83 American Beauty Roses (including one extra white rose for 9-11) to commemorate the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.  Taps will be played and Roses presented to our pilot, who then departs AAM’s ramp in a vintage military aircraft to drop the Roses over New York’s Statue of Liberty.

 The public is encouraged to attend FREE OF CHARGE, but should plan to arrive between 10:30 am and 12:00 pm on December 7th for free admission.  After 12:00 pm, admission to AAM is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and veterans, and $10 for children ages 5 to 12.  Tickets and/or pre-registration are not required.  American Airpower Museum is located at Republic Airport, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY 11735, (631) 293-6398, www.americanairpowermuseum.org.

Ceremonies such as this are important to help keep the history of WWII alive.  That’s why the Long Island Air & Space Force Association, along with the American Airpower Museum, cordially invite the News Media to attend and cover this historic event.  Americans should never forget the contributions and sacrifices of our veterans.  Media coverage strengthens the missions of both nonprofits as they seek to honor veterans and educate the public about U.S. military history.

For more information about this historic event, please contact Fred DiFabio, President of the Long Island Air & Space Force Association, (631) 754-6383, [email protected].

Stephen Chapis

Stephen “Chappie” Chapis's passion for aviation began in 1975 at Easton-Newnam Airport. Growing up building models and reading aviation magazines, he attended Oshkosh '82 and took his first aerobatic ride in 1987. His photography career began in 1990, leading to nearly 140 articles for Warbird Digest and other aviation magazines. His book, "ALLIED JET KILLERS OF WORLD WAR 2," was published in 2017.

Stephen has been an EMT for 23 years and served 21 years in the DC Air National Guard. He credits his success to his wife, Germaine.

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