WWII Battleship Iowa in San Pedro celebrates Veterans Day early
Usa today news
Veterans and families — and football fans — gathered on board the Battleship Iowa in San Pedro on Sunday, Nov. 9, to enjoy an early celebration of Veterans Day.
Admission was free. Highlights included a watch party for the NFL’s Week 10 game between the division rivals Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers on the World War II battleship’s fantail.
The USS Iowa hosted a Veterans Day football watch party for veterans and their families on the ship’s fantail on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Army veteran Bill Sims of San Pedro attends a Veterans Day weekend football watch party aboard the USS Iowa in San Pedro on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Army veteran Bill Sims of San Pedro reacts after a Rams touchdown at a Veterans Day weekend watch party aboard the USS Iowa in San Pedro on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Mike Nguyen, Director of Military and Veterans Affairs for the USS Iowa, left, chats with football fans at a Veterans Day weekend watch party aboard the battleship in San Pedro on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles resident Robert B. Frierson of Dream Vets of America smiles after a 49ers touchdown at a Veterans Day weekend football watch party aboard the USS Iowa in San Pedro on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Veterans, families, and football fans celebrate Veterans Day weekend at a Rams watch party aboard the USS Iowa in San Pedro on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Veterans, families, and football fans celebrate Veterans Day weekend at a Rams watch party aboard the USS Iowa in San Pedro on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Veterans, families, and football fans celebrate Veterans Day weekend at a Rams watch party aboard the USS Iowa in San Pedro on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Veterans, families, and football fans celebrate Veterans Day weekend at a Rams watch party aboard the USS Iowa in San Pedro on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Army veteran and Rams fan Bill Sims of San Pedro cheers a touchdown at a Veterans Day weekend watch party aboard the USS Iowa in San Pedro on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Football fans celebrate Veterans Day weekend at a Rams watch party aboard the Battleship Iowa in San Pedro on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
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The USS Iowa hosted a Veterans Day football watch party for veterans and their families on the ship’s fantail on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
While Veterans Day is on Tuesday, Nov. 11, the Iowa held the event on Sunday to honor former members of the United States Armed Forces.
Thank you notes were handed out to veterans who visited the ship.
The afternoon included a formal welcome ceremony, “shout-outs” to veterans during the game’s halftime, postgame activities, hot dogs and other refreshments from Vicky’s Doghouse on board the ship, and a STEM Zone for kids.
Partners hosting the event included Los Angeles DWP Valor, the Port of Los Angeles, the Marine Corps League, American Legion Post 61 and the Legion Riders, and the Combat Veteran Motorcycle Riders.
