Events

The annual 'Dropping of the Roses' Pearl Harbor Memorial Ceremony will take place on Sunday at the American Airpower Museum. The AAM will host the event, as the museum has every year since it opened in 2000, conducted by the Long Island Air & Space Forces Association. Dec. 7 is the 84th anniversary of the Japanese attack on the U.S. Navy Fleet based at Pearl Harbor. The 'Dropping of the Roses' tradition began in 1970 by Joseph Hydrusko. The warbird carrying the roses will leave the AAM at 12:30 p.m. There will be a solemn ceremony remembering those who served and those who perished at Pearl Harbor, including a special tribute to their guests of honor, five WWII centenarian veterans. 84 American Beauty Roses, including one extra white rose for 9-11, will be dropped at 12:55 p.m., the exact time in New York that Pearl Harbor was attacked. Their Chaplain will conduct a Blessing of the Roses, and the roses will be released from the warbird at the Statue of Liberty. There will be free admission for the public from 10:30 a.m. until 12 p.m. After noon, it will be $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and veterans, $12 for children 3 to 12, and children under 3 are free. Museum members and active military/guard/reserves are free with ID. The event will take place at Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, in Farmingdale. More information can be found online or by calling Event Director Fred DiFabio at 631-754-6383 or fdifabioafa202@hotmail.com.