Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park to commemorate 80th anniversary of USS Little Rock

Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park Press Release

The Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the commissioning of USS Little Rock with a ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday, June 14, at One Naval Park Cove, Buffalo.

This ceremony will feature remarks from Naval Park staff and Little Rock veterans, and end with birthday cake to commemorate the cruiser’s 80th year and honor veterans, military service members, and supporters. It is free and open to the public.

A special 80th anniversary USS Little Rock commemorative flag will be given away to the first 200 visitors to the Naval Park on Flag Day.

USS Little Rock, a Cold War flagship of the U.S. 2nd and 6th Fleet, is the last surviving vessel from the Cleveland-class of light cruisers in the world. Originally classified as CL-92, USS Little Rock was one of three ships to be converted to a Galveston-class guided missile cruiser and was recommissioned in 1960 as CLG-4. The ship patrolled the Atlantic from the Arctic Circle to South America and was a fixture in the Mediterranean Sea. USS Little Rock arrived in Buffalo for display in 1977.

The Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is the nation’s largest inland naval park and the home of four U.S. Naval vessels: USS The Sullivans, USS Little Rock, USS Croaker, and PTF-17. Located on Buffalo’s waterfront, this unique family destination is committed to its mission, which is to honor, educate, inspire and preserve. The Buffalo Naval & Military Park also features a museum, United States military exhibits, and a manicured Veterans Park with 15 monuments and memorials dedicated to those who served this country.

More information about the Buffalo Naval Park is available at www.BuffaloNavalPark.org.