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The following is an update from the Public Affairs Office of NASCC:
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Robert William “Bob” Barker, former Navy fighter pilot and television host for “The Price is Right,” regrets that he will not be able to travel to Corpus Christi for the Naval Air Station’s anniversary celebration March 12, 2016.
“I spoke to him on the phone yesterday afternoon, and he feels terrible that he won’t be able to make it,” said Capt. Steve Banta, NASCC commanding officer. “He hurt his back, and his doctor says he is not well enough to travel. Having him participate was an added plus to our anniversary celebration. However, the theme of the event is, and always has been, the cooperation and partnership with the City of Corpus Christi that we’ve enjoyed for the past 75 years. NAS Corpus Christi wouldn’t be here today without the support of the city and this outstanding local community.”
Corpus Christi’s civic leaders gave the Navy an added incentive to build here in 1940: 640 acres of undeveloped city land added to what the federal government would purchase. The city also gave $2 million to help with the cost of construction.
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Fence line at the construction site of Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, July 1940. Source: National Naval Aviation Museum
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The 75th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, March 12, is free and open to the public. NASCC’s Main (South) Gate will open at 10 a.m. The official ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. with Corpus Christi Mayor Nelda Martinez as the keynote speaker. The ceremony will end at noon with a flyover of historic and current naval training aircraft.
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A variety of static displays, including naval aircraft and historic automobiles, as well as other family-friendly activities and entertainment will be held throughout the afternoon on the NASCC seawall. Entertainment from the local community includes the championship Flour Bluff High School NJROTC drill team, the FBHS dance team and cheerleaders, and numerous other groups.
Military entertainment includes demonstrations from the Marine Air Training Support Group-22 USMC Martial Arts Program, NASCC Firefighters, NASCC Military Working Dog teams, and a Search and Rescue demonstration by the U.S. Coast Guard.
There will be games and activities for children as well as food trucks selling refreshments.
A free concert will begin at 4:30 p.m. with Costello, a local Texas country band, followed by Country Singer/Songwriter Sara Evans at 6:30 p.m. The day’s celebration will conclude with a fireworks display beginning at 7:45 p.m.
Reminders:
- Saturday, March 12, the Main (South) Gate to NAS Corpus Christi will open at 10 a.m. to the general public.
- Driving on the installation, visitors must have a valid driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance.
- Visitors will be directed to parking adjacent to the ceremony site.
- All are reminded that they may not bring: coolers; backpacks, large bags, tents and large umbrellas; animals, unless they are service animals; weapons of any kind; alcoholic beverages; cooking equipment; skateboards, bikes, and roller blades; illegal drugs or paraphernalia; fireworks; and kites, balloons and radio-controlled devices.
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Sara Evans
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Pass & Review – First graduation exercises held aboard the naval air station Nov. 4, 1941. (Photo from Doc McGregor collection, courtesy Corpus Christi Public Library)
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“Many of the aviators who fought and died in the great naval battles in the Pacific, the battles that ultimately won the war, were trained at the Corpus Christi Naval Air Station.” Murphy Givens
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An aerial view of Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi, Texas, as it appeared on January 27, 1941. The air station was commissioned in March 1941.
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For more information about the NAS Corpus Christi 75th Anniversary Celebration, call the Public Affairs Office at (361) 961-2674 or 961-3420, or visit the Facebook page “NASCC Anniversary.”
Related articles:
Captain Steve Banta Talks about NAS CC 75th Anniversary at March FBBA Meeting