National Park Service News Release

For Immediate Release –May 23,2011

Blanca Alvarez Stransky   419 285-2184

Salute to the Troops 2011: Perry’s Victory and Miller Boat Line Join

to Honor Military Personnel and Veterans on Saturday, May 28

PUT-IN-BAY, OHIO –Active duty military and veterans may travel to Put-in-Bay, South Bass Island for free aboard the Miller Boat Line (departing from Catawba) as part of the Memorial Day Weekend festivities on Saturday, May 28 at Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial. “Every year for Memorial Day Weekend, the community rolls out the red carpet for our nation’s servicemen and women.  We really appreciate the generosity of the Miller Boat Line in support of this year’s Salute to the Troops: A Tribute to Native American Veterans event at the Perry’s Victory Visitor Center” said Superintendent Blanca Alvarez Stransky.  “We are looking forward to honoring America’s armed forces and hope our local veterans and active duty military take advantage of the free transportation to our Memorial Day event,” added Stransky.

     Miller Boat Line asks that military personnel and veterans simply identify themselves at the ticket booth to obtain free passage to South Bass Island and the “Salute the Troops: Tribute to Native American Veterans” event.  Upon arriving at Put-in-Bay, military and non-military personnel wishing to attend the “Salute the Troops” event will receive free passage on the Tour Train at 12:00 noon and 12:30 p.m. at the Lime Kiln dock upon arriving at Put-in-Bay.

 “Salute the Troops: A Tribute to Native American Veterans” starts at 1 p.m. at the Perry’s Victory and International Memorial Visitor Center.  “This year’s ceremony will honor America’s Indigenous Peoples and Culture and the contributions they have made to our armed forces and national security throughout the course of history and today “said Stransky.

The program focuses in on Native American contributions as part of Perry’s Victory’s five year Bicentennial celebration. This year activities at Perry’s Victory will focus heavily on recognition and celebration of Native American history, tradition, contributions, and culture. Inside the Visit Center a short film on the proud Native American tradition of military involvement and a digital display of “Portraits of Native American Veterans” both donated by Jeff Mitchell and the First Warrior Organization of Chiloquin, Oregon will be available for public viewing. Special features of this year’s ceremony include participation from members of local Tribal Councils and Guest Speaker Keith Heavyrunner, chairman of the Blackfoot Tribal Council in Browning Montana and War Veteran.  Additionally, the ceremony will include singing of the National Anthem by local vocalist Debbie Parker and Patriotic sing along led by George and Mary Krejci of Port Clinton.

This year’s activities conclude with an ice cream social sponsored by The Perry Group, the non-profit friends group, whose mission supports educational activities at Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial. For additional information about this and other special events at the park this summer, please call (419)285-2184 or visit www.nps.gov/pevi.  For more information about the Memorial construction project, please contact Superintendent Stransky at (419)285-2184.                                                     -NPS-