United States Navy Memorial

Please join us on September 20th for our 2024 POW/MIA Recognition Day Wreath Laying Ceremony. National POW/MIA Recognition Day was established by an Act of Congress in 1998. It honors those who were prisoners of war (POWs) and those who are still missing in action (MIA) and is observed on the third Friday of September.  At present, more than 81,500 Americans remain missing from World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and the Gulf Wars/other conflicts. Out of the more than 81,500 missing, 75% of the losses are located in the Indo-Pacific. Please join us in-person or online as we honor these heroes.   Event Details:
 When: Friday, September 20th at 2:00pm
 Where: Online or in person on the Navy Memorial Plaza Agenda:
 2:00pm: Wreath Laying with the Commandant of Naval District of Washington
 2:45pm: Project Recover video program, panel discussion, and Q&A Register here: https://ow.ly/rg5G50T91j6

Chief Selects were announced last week which means the Delbert D. Black National Chief’s Mess and the Navy Memorial will soon be buzzing with Chiefs from the east coast to learn about the history and heritage of their new rank. Last year, we had 30 messes and 1,032 Chiefs and Selectees visit us, and with the addition of our newly renovated exhibits, we're excited to continue to be a part of their tradition. #NavyChiefNavyPride #CPOPride

Chief Selects were announced last week which means the Delbert D. Black National Chief’s Mess and the Navy Memorial will soon be buzzing with Chiefs from the east coast to learn about the history and heritage of their new rank. Last year, we had 30 messes and 1,032 Chiefs and Selectees visit us, and with the addition of our newly renovated exhibits, we're excited to continue to be a part of their tradition. #NavyChiefNavyPride #CPOPride

We are excited to share that the 2024 Lone Sailor Awards Dinner is less than a month away! This year, we’ll be honoring U.S. Navy Veteran Jack O. Bovender, Jr., and Master Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Edward C. Byers, Jr., USN (Ret.), as they receive the prestigious Lone Sailor Award. We will also be paying a special tribute to the brave crew of the USS Arizona, honoring their sacrifice and valor during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The theme of the evening is "Empower," highlighting our commitment to the Sailor of Tomorrow program and other Navy Memorial initiatives that Honor, Recognize, and Celebrate our Sea Services. Within this mission, empowering the Sailor of Tomorrow, our future leaders, becomes indispensable for ensuring the Navy’s sustained continuity and strength. Proceeds of the Lone Sailor Awards Dinner will support this program, and others like it, ensuring the legacy of the Sea Services continues for generations to come. Interested in attending or becoming a sponsor? Reach out to us at [email protected].

Shipmates,   Tuesday night marked our last Concert on the Avenue with the full Navy Band of the year! It was a great event and such a fun way to wrap up our summer programs. I love seeing our Navy leadership dancing out on the Plaza and connecting with so many visitors who make their way to the United States Navy Memorial for special programs like this.    I’d like to say a big thank you to MCPON Honea and his team for hosting the reception and the Fleet Reserve Association for sponsoring the reception before the concert. I appreciated the opportunity for MCPON explore the newly renovated National Chiefs Mess and to then watch him tell some of the guests at the reception about heroes like our first MCPON, Dell Black, and his incredible spouse and Navy WAVE, Ima Black.    We were honored to welcome a multitude of exceptional guests to the Navy Memorial. It was exciting to celebrate retired Chief Robert Lee’s 80th birthday on the Plaza with a shoutout from the Navy Band and to host allies and partners like Commodore David Frost from the Royal Australian Navy.    Don’t miss our final concert of the summer next Thursday! The Sea Chanters will be preforming on the Plaza and if you have never seen them perform come on down to the Navy Memorial's Granite Sea at 7 pm on August 20th--you will not be disappointed.   Please also mark your calendars for some of our upcoming events: September 19th: Lone Sailor Awards Dinner  September 20th: POW/MIA Wreath Laying November 11th: Veteran’s Day Wreath Laying

…And that’s a wrap on our Concerts on the Avenue with the full Navy Band. We closed out the season with MCPON Honea and Mrs. Evelyn Honea dancing the night away! We also had the honor of celebrating Robert G. Lee’s 80th birthday – a retired Navy Chief who makes it a tradition to join us at the COTA every year for his special day! We are so grateful to our event sponsor #FleetReserveAssociation for the fantastic reception and to the @USNavyBand for an amazing summer on the Plaza. See you next summer for more music and memories!

Quincy, Massachusetts unveiled their very own Lone Sailor Statue on Friday at the Quincy Navy Park at Squantum. This statue is the 19th Lone Sailor around the world and the first in Massachusetts. U.S Navy Memorial President and CEO, John Nowell, Jr., attended the ceremony. The park is built on parts of the former naval air station and at a plant that built destroyers in World War II, and has been dedicated to the city's Navy veterans. Learn more here: https://ow.ly/yZZS50SWiMo

We had a terrific time at Tuesday’s Concert on the Avenue! We were thrilled to welcome Rear Admiral David J. Faehnle, Commandant, Navy District Washington, to the Plaza as this weeks reception host. The Sea Chanters were amazing and had a fun surprise during rehearsal! Mike Rowe stopped by the Navy Memorial and joined them for a few songs Thank you to Surface Navy Association for sponsoring this event!

The National Chief’s Mess CPO Business Directory features business owners from a wide range of industries-- From automotive to real estate, woodworking, IT, family businesses, and more! We would love YOUR HELP connecting with Chiefs today! If you know a Navy Chief who owns a business, tag them below, and we will send them a private message on how to join the Delbert D. Black National Chief’s Mess CPO Business Directory, designed to foster connection within our community and to support small businesses owned by Navy Chiefs!! #NavyChief #CPOPride

Join us in recognizing Purple Heart Day today. On August 7th, we honor those who were harmed or lost in the field of battle. Thank you to those who have served; your sacrifice means the world to us 💜 This photo is from Purple Heart Day 2023, when Honor Flight Northeast Indiana honored over 100 Purple Heart recipients with a wreath laying in front of the Lone Sailor. #PurpleHeartDay #HonorFlight #LoneSailor #MilitaryHonors #MilitaryHeroes #SupportOurTroops #NeverForget #PurpleHeartRecipient