A family walks down the pathway toward the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier at Patriots Point, surrounded by American flags and calm waters.
A family walks down the pathway toward the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier at Patriots Point, surrounded by American flags and calm waters.
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Reps from Historic War Ships Across the World to Meet aboard the USS Yorktown For the 51st HNSA Conference

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Wednesday, Sept. 27 through Friday, Sept. 29, representatives from war ship museums across the world will meet aboard the USS Yorktown at the Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum for the 51st annual Historic Naval Ships Association (HNSA) conference.

The conference, themed “Ensuring Our Future,” will feature discussions about how members of HNSA are preserving their ships, and sustaining their organizations financially while maintaining relevancy in their region.

“We have been working for more than a year to get the USS Yorktown shipshape for this conference,” said Patriots Point Executive Director Mac Burdette.  “Not only have we restored several of our aircraft, but we’ve also remodeled the Smokey Stover Theater, replaced lighting on the pier with energy-efficient LED equipment, and repainted much of the Yorktown and the tour routes located aboard.  It is an honor for us to welcome this group of professionals to Mount Pleasant and Patriots Point.”

Retired Admiral James Stavridis, USN is the keynote speaker and will address the conference Friday evening.  As a 4-star officer, he led the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Alliance in global operations from 2009 to 2013 as Supreme Allied Commander with responsibility for Afghanistan, Libya, the Balkans, Syria, piracy and cyber security.  He also served as Commander of U.S. Southern Command with responsibility for all military operations in Latin America from 2006 to 2009.  Adm. Stavridis holds more than 50 medals, including 28 from foreign nations.  In 2016, he was vetted for vice president by Hillary Clinton and subsequently invited to Trump Tower to discuss a position in the Trump administration.

As part of the conference, on Thursday, Sept. 28, Swiss light artist Gerry Hofstetter will light up the entire pier side of the USS Yorktown for the conference from 8 to 10 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.  Normal parking fees will also be waived.

“Members of HNSA are a close family,” said HNSA Executive Director Bill Cogar.  “We are looking forward to a wonderful event on the Charleston harbor.  This is an opportunity for staff of museum ships across the world to share ideas and learn from each other’s successes, mistakes and problems, and also enjoy a little camaraderie.”