NEWS RELEASE  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Robert F. Salant, Public Affairs, (718) 791-4758, rsalant123@outlook.com

Farmingdale, NY, November 16, 2025 – On December 7, 2025, American Airpower Museum hosts the annual “Dropping of the Roses” Pearl Harbor Memorial Ceremony conducted by the Long Island Air & Space Forces Association (LIAFA).  The American Airpower Museum (AAM) has provided space for this event each year ever since the museum opened its doors in 2000. December 7, 2025 is the 84th Anniversary of the Japanese attack on the U.S. Navy Fleet based at Pearl Harbor.

Welcome remarks by Col. (ret.) Bill Stratemeier, LIAFA Public Affairs, bstrat@optonline.net, (631) 807-4624.  A solemn ceremony remembering all who served and those who perished at Pearl Harbor follows, including a special tribute to our guests of honor, five World War II centenarian veterans!  In keeping with the “Dropping of the Roses” tradition began by Joseph Hydrusko in 1970, the blessing of 84 American Beauty Roses (including one extra white rose for 9-11) will commemorate the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.  Includes Color Guards from the Navy Reserves and veterans’ organizations.  Our Chaplain will conduct a Blessing of the Roses, Taps will be played and Roses loaded onto our warbird.  The event, “Dropping of the Roses,” features a vintage WWII Texan from the Skytypers, taking off at 12:30 p.m. from Hangar 3 at the American Airpower Museum, and flying straight to the Statue of Liberty to drop roses at 12:55 p.m., the exact time in New York that Pearl Harbor was attacked.  The public is welcome to attend our “Dropping of the Roses” Ceremony on December 7, 2025.  FREE admission between 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.  After 12:00 p.m. $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and veterans, $12 for children 3 to 12.  Children under 3 are FREE.  Museum members, active military/guard/reserves, FREE with ID.  (No tickets or pre-registration necessary.)

Ceremonies such as this help keep the history of World War II alive.  Americans should never forget the contributions and sacrifices of our veterans.  Each year we welcome public attendance, FREE OF CHARGE, because public support strengthens the missions of AAM and LIAFA to honor veterans and educate younger generations about U.S. military history. By showing your support, you’re also helping AAM preserve the museum’s historic aircraft.  Help “Keep ‘Em Flying!”

What? Dropping of the Roses at American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport
Where? Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, (631) 293-6398 
When? December 7, 2025 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

For more information, please contact Event Director Fred DiFabio, President of the Long Island Air & Space Forces Association, (631) 754-6383, fdifabioafa202@hotmail.com.    

PHOTO CAPTION: Navy Cadets deliver roses to a vintage AT-6D Texan Warbird at AAM to be dropped over the Statue of Liberty.  (Photo by Robert F. Salant for AAM)

The American Airpower Museum is an aviation museum located on the landmarked former site of Republic Aviation at Republic Airport, Farmingdale, NY. The Museum maintains a collection of aviation artifacts and an array of operational aircraft spanning the many years of the aircraft factory’s history. The Museum is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Educational Foundation Chartered by the New York State Board of Regents.

 The American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport is Long Island’s only flying military aviation museum… 

“Where History Flies”
Hangar 3, 1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY 11735 – (631) 293-6398
info@americanairpowermuseum.org – www.americanairpowermuseum.org
@american_airpower_museum