MEDIA ALERT                                                                                                                                                                                          JANUARY 9, 2019 

Oakland Welcomes and Honors WWII Vet On His Journey to Oakland

95-year-old sailor visiting Oakland to view mast of USS Oakland at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park 

(Oakland, CA)– Visit Oakland, the city’s official destination marketing organization, is happy to assist in bringing WWII vet to the city Oakland. The retired 30-year Navy veteran, Robert Almquist, is visiting Oakland this Thursday to pay his respects to the mast of his late ship, the light cruiser USS Oakland at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park.  

Almquist spent the years 1942 to 1946 aboard the 542-foot vessel in the Pacific. Now he’s returning to honor the only remaining piece of the ship that was retired back in 1959.

Almquist’s visit to Oakland is part of a 2,000-mile journey from his home in Wisconsin. He began his trip in San Diego, this Tuesday, viewing a plaque bearing his name at the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial. Tomorrow he’ll be welcomedby Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf at City Hall and will receive an official proclamation. On Friday, he will visit the USS Oakland mast at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park, followed by a luncheon aboard the USS Hornet in the Officers Stateroom with recognition from the Oakland Navy League and the local chapter of the VFW (The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US).  

WHAT                 Oakland Honors 30-year Navy Veteran, Robert Almquist

WHEN                 Thursday, January 10

                            Private        Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf Giving Official Proclamation

                             Friday, January 11

                             11:00AM     Viewing of USS Oakland Mast, Middle Harbor Shoreline Park

                             1:00PM       Luncheon Aboard USS Hornet in the Officers Stateroom

                                                 Recognition from the Oakland Navy League and the local chapter of the VFW (The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US) 

WHERE                Middle Harbor Shoreline Park: 2777 Middle Harbor Rd., Oakland, CA 94607

                              USS Hornet, Officers Stateroom: 707 W Hornet Ave., Alameda, CA 94501

For all press inquires, please contact Allie Neal at (925) 286-5284 or allie@visitoakland.com.

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ABOUT VISIT OAKLAND

Visit Oakland is a non-profit organization marketing Oakland, California as a travel destination. Visit Oakland offers a wide variety of complimentary services and materials for travelers interested in visiting Oakland. For more information, check out www.visitoakland.com. Want to share the Oakland love with the world? Follow @visitoakland on Facebook,Twitter,Instagramand LinkedIn.

CONTACT

Allie Neal, PR Manager, Visit Oakland

O: (510) 208-0529 C: (925) 286-5284  E: allie@visitoakland.com