About 20 submarine veterans will lead tours of the USS Cincinnati Peace Pavilion in West Chester Township on Thursday, Sept. 17. The free event at VOA MetroPark runs from 5 to 7 p.m. as part of Cincinnati Navy Week, which continues through Sept. 20.
Cincinnati is one of 12 cities selected to host Navy Week this year, according to WCPO. The veteran guides will share their experiences and explain what life was like aboard a nuclear submarine for months at a time underwater.
West Chester Township and MetroParks of Butler County are hosting the celebration in conjunction with Veterans Services of Hamilton County, according to the township's event calendar. The event also marks the Navy's 251st birthday.
What to expect
At 6 p.m., a Navy parachute jumper will descend carrying American and Navy flags. The Navy Drill Team performs at 5:30 p.m., and Navy Band Northeast plays from 6 to 6:30 p.m.
Families can explore STEM education activities, naval history displays and the MidPointe Library Book Mobile. Food trucks, refreshments and giveaways are also available.
The pavilion
The USS Cincinnati Peace Pavilion is a $9.5 million, 360-foot full-size representation of the USS Cincinnati (SSN-693), a Los Angeles-class nuclear attack submarine that served from 1978 until it was decommissioned in 1996. The memorial incorporates real artifacts from the submarine, including its conning tower, upper rudder and a diesel engine the crew painted red and nicknamed "The Big Red Machine" after the Cincinnati Reds' back-to-back World Series teams of 1975 and 1976.
The pavilion opened to the public on May 16. Around 140 former crew members visited before opening day. Organizers estimate more than 1,000 sailors served aboard the submarine during its 18 years in service.
Joseph Jaap, president of the Submarine Cincinnati Memorial Association and a Navy veteran who spent more than 25 years working to bring the memorial to West Chester, told WCPO that education drives the project.
"We need kids to participate and think of career goals, both STEM: science, technology, engineering and math. We need skilled trades," Jaap said.
How to get there
The USS Cincinnati Peace Pavilion is at VOA MetroPark on Tylersville Road in West Chester Township. Parking is free and accessible off Tylersville Road or Cox Road.
