THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 19, 1995 TAG: 9505180263
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 12 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
It's not hard to imagine the stirring sounds of John Phillip Sousa's march music flowing from the 19th century gazebo at the original site of the nation's oldest naval shipyard.
The tradition will be revived Saturday on Armed Forces Day, when historic Trophy Park at the Naval Shipyard will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a special program at noon.
The music will be provided by the U.S. Navy Atlantic Fleet Band, the Kempsville High School jazz band and other high school bands.
Andrew Sprowle, the man who started the shipyard more than two centuries ago, also is expected to show up for the celebration in the person of a costumed actor.
Trophy Park displays 200 years of naval armaments, arranged historically as well as aesthetically for a pleasant stroll through the park. It is the only known artillery collection that includes an example of every size and type Parrott rifle made for the U.S. Navy during the Civil War.
The latest addition to the collection is a guided missile launcher recently salvaged from the cruiser, ex-USS Virginia.
The missile launcher will be dedicated at noon Saturday by Fourth District Congressman Norman Sisisky and Capt. William Klemm, the shipyard commander. It joins other recent additions, which include a 16-inch Iowa Class battleship gun barrel, a steam whistle from the USS Iowa and a Polaris submarine missile.
The theme for the national Armed Force Day observance is ``Forces for Freedom.'' In Portsmouth, the celebration also will mark a new era in relations between the shipyard and the community.
For more than a century, Trophy Park has been the site of change of command and retirement ceremonies. Years ago, it was a favorite place for yard employees who stopped on their way home to hear concerts presented by ships' bands.
Plans are under way to revive that tradition and present concerts through the summer at the park.
From May 26 until Labor Day, the park also will be a visitors' stop on the city's Olde Towne Trolley Tour. ILLUSTRATION: Official U.S. Navy photos
This is how Norfolk Naval Shipyard's historic Trophy Park looked in
1870. That's Building 19 in the background.
An Mk26 dual arm missile launcher from the ex-USS Virginia joins the
exhibit in Trophy Park. It will be dedicated on Armed Forces Day.
A crane positions an Army 6-pounder field gun, Model 1841, in Trophy
Park in preparation for the observance Saturday.
by CNB