Events | Friends of Port Chicago National Memorial

National Park Service, East Bay Regional Park District and Friends of Port Chicago National Memorial Commemorate the 72nd Anniversary of the Port Chicago Explosion and Celebrate the National Park Service Centennial

Thank you so much for making plans to join us this Sunday to commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the Port Chicago explosion in Concord, Calif.

We’re honored to have U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Congressman Mark DeSaulnier among our special guests!

This is a reminder that guests are only able to access the event through shuttle buses running from the Pittsburg/Bay Point BART Station. There will not be access to the site by private vehicle. When you arrive at the BART station, walk to the bus loading area where you will be assisted by park rangers.

Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
COMMEMORATING THE PAST – ENVISIONING THE FUTURE
Sunday, July 17, 2016
3:30 PM to 8:00 PM
3:30 PM Shuttle service starts from Pittsburg/Bay Point BART Station
5:00 PM Public commemoration begins
6:30 PM Shuttle service recommences to Pittsburg/Bay Point BART Station
8:00 PM Event concludes

The shuttle buses will run a continuous loop to and from the BART Station until right before the program begins at 5pm. The shuttles will begin again when the program ends.

TIPS: Please dress for an outdoor event located on rough, uneven terrain. Comfortable, sturdy shoes are recommended. Consider bringing a sun hat, sunscreen, and a water bottle as well. It looks like we’ll be granted beautiful weather with temperatures reaching the low 80s with light wind.

On July 17, we will honor the 320 men who lost their lives in the largest WWII military disaster on the home front and celebrate the future of the Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial.

The ceremony takes place at the site of the future Visitor Center in the planned Concord Hills Regional Park. This jointly operated facility will commemorate the Port Chicago catastrophe which occurred on July 17, 1944 at Port Chicago Naval Magazine in Concord, Calif., when two ships being loaded with ammunition exploded.

This event will also celebrate the Centennial of the National Park Service and highlight the future Visitor Center planned jointly by the National Park Service and East Bay Regional Park District at the future Concord Hills Regional Park.

This event is an opportunity for friends, family, and others interested in the Port Chicago disaster and its aftermath to join together in a day of remembrance and an opportunity to celebrate the Centennial of the National Park Service and visit the site of the planned Concord Hills Regional Park.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
EAST BAY REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
THE FRIENDS OF PORT CHICAGO NATIONAL MEMORIAL

POCH_Poster_2015_RegSize

Join the National Park Service and the Friends of Port Chicago National Memorial to honor the 320 men who lost their lives in the largest World War II military disaster on the home front.

Visitors are invited to attend the ceremony at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, 2015, at the site of the catastrophe, which occurred on July 17, 1944, at Port Chicago Naval Magazine in Concord, Calif., when two ships being loaded with ammunition exploded.

This annual event is a rare opportunity for friends, family, and others interested in the Port Chicago disaster and its aftermath to join together in a day of remembrance.

As the event will be held on an active military base, all visitors must have reservations and a security check. Visitors ages 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult, but do not need to provide the information below. When reserving a spot, please be ready to give the following:

First Name, Middle Name, Last Name
Date of Birth
E-Mail or Mailing Address
Daytime Phone Number
The number from your state issued driver’s license & state that issued ID

Reservations are required and must be made by July 6, 2015. To make a reservation, please leave a voicemail message at 925-838-0249 x 6520 or email thaddeus_shay@nps.gov. Your reservation is confirmed when you receive an acknowledgement from NPS staff. For more information about the event, please visit www.nps.gov/poch.

The National Park Service offers guided 90-minute tours of the Port Chicago Naval Magazine throughout the year on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 1:30 p.m. Not all dates may be available, and reservations must be made two weeks in advance online or by phone at 925-228-8860 ext. 6520.

Media contact:
Thaddeus Shay, (925) 838-0249 ext. 6520
thaddeus_shay@nps.gov

Category: Events

July 17: 72nd Anniv.of the Port Chicago Disaster

July 18: National Park Service Commemorates the 71st Anniversary of the Port Chicago Explosion