Nimitz Junior Corps Family Fun at the National Museum of the Pacific War - 3/11 & 13

Join us for a discussion on rationing during WWII and the importance of growing one’s own food. We will start individual Victory Gardens and make “synthetic rubber” silly putty. To be held in the Nimitz Ballroom and the Memorial Courtyard at 340 E. Main St. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Space is limited – please call or RSVP to vinyard@nimitzfoundation.org Cash or check only please.

10:30 to 11:30 am. $5 fee per child age 6 to 13. Call (830) 997-8600 ext. 205 for more information.

Field Kitchen Exhibit at the National Museum of the Pacific War - 3/7-15

During Spring Break, experience the sights, sounds and taste of the front lines with this fully functioning WWII Field Kitchen at the National Museum of the Pacific War’s Pacific Combat Zone, 500 E. Austin Street. Byron “Cooky” Vinyard from the Tri-State Living History Association has spent the last 10 years putting this kitchen together.  He has traveled all over the country providing meals for veterans on special days and educating the public on the history of World War II. Call (830) 997-8600 ext. 205 for details.

Dedication of the Admiral Chester W. Nimitz Sculpture - 2/7

A humble man from small beginnings in the Texas Hill Country who went on to command over two million men and women in the Pacific during WWII will be remembered in his childhood home in Fredericksburg, Texas.  Join us as an eight foot bronze sculpture of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz will be unveiled and dedicated in the Nimitz Platz on Main Street between the Command Post and the Nimitz Hotel, 340 East Main.  The statue was sculpted by Rip Caswell of Troutdale, Oregon, and was commissioned by the Navy Order of the United States.  The statue is one of two casted.  The other sits on Ford Island, Hawaii overlooking the USS Arizona.

10:30 am.  Program is free and open to the public.  No seating will be available. Call 830-997-8600 for more information.

Columbus Day Author's Forum - 10/14

The National Museum of the Pacific war, 340 East Main, is hosting the annual Columbus Day Authors' Forum Monday from 2 pm to 4 pm. This year’s authors include John Domalgalski, author of Sunk in Kula Gulf, Dan King; author of The Last Zero Fighter; and Gregory Fletcher, author of Intrepid Aviators. Join these authors to discuss their work and ask questions in an intimate setting.

Free, but standard fee if touring the museum.

Family Fun Day at National Museum of the Pacific War - 8/3

Families looking to spend some quality time together out of the house and out of the heat are invited to participate in a free Family Fun Day at the National Museum of the Pacific War on Saturday.

There are plenty of activities planned for children to work on with their parents and all activities will have a brief lesson with them. This event is free, but pre-registration is suggested to ensure enough materials are on-hand for everyone to have their own items to take home.

 Please email manee@nimitzfoundation.org to RSVP or call 830.997.8600 x 207. Standard admission if touring the museum.

Dogs are a man’s best friend. That friendship is evident nowhere like it is evident between a Wounded Warrior and his service dog. On Saturday July 13th at 10 a.m. in the ballroom of the Nimitz Museum of the National Museum of the Pacific War, you can witness that friendship in person.

TADSAW (Train a Dog Save a Warrior), along with their four legged friends and the warriors they assist will give a presentation on the importance of the use of dogs for helping wounded warriors and utilizing dogs for Animal Assisted Therapy. One of the TADSAW dogs was recently inducted into the Texas Animal Hall of Fame as Hero Dog of the Year.

Dennis Blocker, USAF (Ret) and his retired war dog Laky, will talk about their training, experiences overseas, and dealing with dogs with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder)

This program is free to the public. For more information contact Brandon Vinyard at (830)-997-8600 x205.

The Train a Dog Save a Warrior program unites wounded warriors, suffering with PTSD, with homeless, rescue shelter dogs, who are evaluated and deemed viable, to nurture a healing and rejuvenating bond between the two. The result is a positive, non-judgmental, unconditional relationship desperately needed by both.

The National Museum of the Pacific War is a Texas Historical Commission property supported, operated, and managed by the Admiral Nimitz Foundation.

Book Signing at Admiral Nimitz Museum - April 6

On Saturday, April 6th at 1:30 pm in the historic ballroom of the Admiral Nimitz Museum, the author of For Crew and Country: The Inspirational True Story of Bravery and Sacrifice Aboard the USS Samuel B. Roberts, John Wukovits along with veterans who served onboard the USS Samuel B. Roberts, DE-413 will be present to talk about his book and the experiences of the veterans that were part of the crew.

For Crew and Country tells of the most dramatic naval battle of the Pacific War and the incredible sacrifice of the USS Samuel B. Roberts, DE-413. At 1:30 pm author John Wukovits will talk about what inspired him to write this story and the input he has had from the crew and their family members. Following John Wukovits guest will hear first from those who were at the Surigao Straits, and their courageous David and Goliath battle with the Japanese fleet.

The program will end with a Q and A session with those in attendance. For Crew and Country books will be available for purchase at the program with an opportunity to have them autographed by the author and those who lived the story.

This program is open and free to the public. If you have any questions about the program or book please contact Helen McDonald at 830-997-8600 ext.206 or by email at mcdonald@nimitzfoundation.org.

The National Museum of the Pacific War is a Texas Historical Commission property supported, operated, and managed by the Admiral Nimitz Foundation.

Family Fun Day at National Museum of the Pacific War - 3/15

Families seeking to spend quality time together this Spring Break are invited to participate in Family Fun Day at the National Museum of the Pacific War on Friday, March 15 2013.  The event will take place at 10:30 in the Historic Ballroom of the Nimitz Museum. Children will enjoy a brief history lesson on kites in World War II. 

Kites were an important tool used to train anti-aircraft gunners.  Training kites were decorated with enemy aircraft silhouettes.  When flown, the kite's edges disappeared against the sky and gunners practiced shooting enemy aircraft.

The kids will have the opportunity to make kites that can be taken home and flown.   This fun activity is recommended for children ages 6-10, however younger children may attend.  A parent must be in attendance with their child for this program.

Cost for the event is $5.00 per child.  Payment may be made at the event by cash or check.  Younger siblings who attend but do not make kites are admitted free of charge.   Because supplies are limited, pre-registration is suggested. Call 830-997-8600 ext 223 to RSVP.

Admiral Nimitz Birthday Celebration - 2/24

The National Museum of the Pacific War and Admiral Nimitz Foundation are happy to celebrate the 128th anniversary of the birth of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz on February 24th. 

In celebration of Nimitz's birthday, the St. Mary’s choir will perform at 1:30 p.m. in the historic Nimitz Hotel Ballroom. Following the performance there will be cake and coffee for all of those in attendance at 1:45 p.m.  Anyone who shares Nimitz's birthday (February 24) will receive free admission to the museum for the day.  The birthday celebration is free and open to the public

The Admiral Nimitz Foundation and National Museum of the Pacific War are honored this year to host members of the Nimitz family who will share stories about Admiral Nimitz after the cake cutting starting at 2 p.m. Come and listen as some of the Nimitz family share stories about their ancestor who answered the call and lead the United States to victory in the Pacific during World War II. The Admiral Nimitz Foundation would like to encourage local Nimitz family members to come and share their stories about Admiral Nimitz. If you are a Nimitz family member and plan on attending please contact Stephanie Manee at 830-997-8600 x223 or manee@nimitzfoundation.org.

Nimitz served as Commander In Chief, United States Pacific Fleet and Commander in Chief, Pacific Ocean Areas during World War II. Admiral Chester W. Nimitz was born in Fredericksburg, Texas in what is now Fitz & Hollerin toy store near the corner of Main Street and Lincoln Street. He was raised in what is now the Admiral Nimitz Museum, the corner stone of the National Museum of the Pacific War.  

The Admiral Nimitz Foundation supports, operates, and manages the National Museum of the Pacific War which is a Texas Historical Commission property

Authors Forum at National Museum of the Pacific War - 10/8

This year's Authors Forum will feature Elliot Carlson, recent recipient of the Eliot Morrison Award for Naval History and author of Joe Rochefort's War: The Odyssey of the Codebreaker Who Outwitted Yamamoto at Midway; Bill Sloan, author of Hell in the Pacific: A Marine Rifleman's Journey From Guadalcanal to Peleliu; and Sterling Mace and Nick Allen, co-authors of Battleground Pacific: A Marine Rifleman's Combat Odyssey in K/3/5. The authors will speak in order of topics, beginning with Midway and taking us all the way through Okinawa. The program will be moderated by Richard Koone, Education Coordinator.  After the authors' presentations, they will be available to sign books. Books will be available for purchase at the event. This event is free and open to the public. It starts at 2 pm in the Nimitz Ballrom, 340 East Main Street.

Battle of Midway 70th Anniversary Commemoration - 8/17

Commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Midway at the National Museum of the Pacific War,  with Dr. Craig Symonds, Professor History Emeritus, United States Naval Academy, and author of a brilliant new recounting of America’s greatest naval victory led by the tactics of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. General Michael Hagee, USMC,  will join Dr. Symonds in discussing the leadership decisions employed by Nimitz and his team of code breakers and battle commanders and crews.

Join us August 17th 2pm to 4pm in the Nimitz Ballroom – includes a reception and refreshments during which Dr. Symonds will be signing his book, The Battle of Midway. (Books will be available for purchase.)

$10.00 regular admission
$5.00 Admiral Nimitz Foundation Members

“10 am on June 4, 1942, Japan was winning the war. One hour later, they were not.  Such was the decisive impact of the Battle of Midway.”