Students embrace history of USS Midway
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The USS Midway is more than just a top tourism spot. It’s an event destination hosting huge events from the entertainment, sports and military world. But It’s also heavily involved in the community in a way you likely don’t know about.
The iconic ship has hosted events like a star-studded Top Gun Maverick movie premiere, college basketball game between San Diego State University and Syracuse, memorials honoring America’s military heroes and annual celebrations of the nation’s freedom.
But below the 78-year-old ship’s main deck, more than 100,000 students have been part of a floating classroom for 20 years. Valuable lessons aboard the iconic vessel that are one of a kind. Students near and far of all ages have studied history hands on to work on a simulated scenario of what happened in April 1975 at the end of the Vietnam War, and how the mighty Midway played a big part in it.
“Doing this little experiment that we got to do and learning how they got to make some hard choices and they did it to save people, I think is pretty cool,” said Naomi Lopez, an 11th grade student from Calvary Chapel Christian School in Downey.
“I think this is an awesome experience just to really see how all this is,” said Chase Adrian, an 11th grade student from Calvary Chapel Christian School in Downey. “Just the experience of knowing that a ton of people got to fight and serve.”
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The vessel’s education director Tina Chin says students become engaged in what she calls Midway magic during their field trip, which lasts three to four hours.
“The feedback overwhelmingly from the kids is positive, “Chin said. “They love the Midway, their teachers love the Midway. We’re celebrating 20 years as a ship and some teachers have been participating for 20 years.”
“It’s living history and they get to walk and they get to interact with staff. They get to interact
with volunteers and everything comes to life. It’s not just in a book and it’s not on a screen,” Chin said.
The classroom outreach is just one of the many programs Midway does well.
“We need to give back to the community that allowed us to be successful,” said Laura White, USS Midway Foundation Director.
And that desire to give back is what has led to the creation of Freedom Park, which will eventually surround the Midway as a promise to those who have served.
“We’re looking at our community to come join us and help us raise $40 million to finish building this pie, which is going to be an awesome asset to our veterans, the community and the city of San Diego,” White said.
She says it will continue to be the ship’s and ultimately Freedom Park’s mission to entertain, educate and to honor our military members past, present and future.
“I couldn’t see myself doing something as brave as this,” Adrian said. “But I’m thankful for all the people that did.”
The $65 million project will be the largest veterans park on the west coast when it’s finished in 2028. It will include large lawn areas, a native plants garden, a parade of veterans’ amphitheater and much more. The official groundbreaking will be held on April 25th.
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