What are your plans for the upcoming holiday? Memorial Day is May 31. Of course, it’s the summer season’s unofficial start, which makes it the perfect time for a Kiawah Island beach vacation. After all, what’s better than spending time with the family by the Atlantic Ocean? Between the beach, seafood, and sitting on the porch, it’s a relaxing way to spend quality time.
But it’s also important to honor our fallen. Memorial Day started as a way to commemorate soldiers killed in the Civil War. Almost three million Americans have died in wars - from the American Revolution through the War in Afghanistan and even current conflicts.
A great way to learn more about our country’s military history and honor those brave men and women is to visit Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum in nearby Mount Pleasant. Home to the aircraft carrier, the USS Yorktown, the Museum offers hands-on history lessons with exhibits and displays. Each year, about 300,000 visitors board the ship to take a deep dive into history.
The USS Yorktown, also known as “The Fighting Lady,” served in the Pacific in World War II, earned battle stars in Vietnam, and picked up the Apollo 8 astronauts after reentry.
Military aircraft displayed on its 40,000-square-foot hangar deck includes a Hellcat, a Wildcat, and a Cougar. Nearby, there’s a B-25 Mitchell that carried the “Doolittle Raiders” in their raid over Japan in 1942. In all, 28 historic aircraft are exhibited throughout the grounds.
The site is also home to the USS Laffey Destroyer, Medal of Honor Museum, and the USS Clamagore submarine, which is currently closed to tours. The Vietnam Experience features a replica of a naval support base camp from that era, including a patrol boat. Hear the sounds of helicopters and gunfire, see the barracks, and more.
Patriots Point is open daily from 9-6:30 with safety measures in place, including mask requirements and some small indoor spaces closed due to social distancing requirements. FYI, there’s a good bit of climbing up and down and some tight spaces. Pro tip: Don’t wear flip-flops.
Another local attraction also gives a glimpse into the area’s military history.
The grounds at the Fort Sumter and Fort Moutrie National Historic Park incorporate several sites around Charleston Harbor, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired on April 12, 1861. While the fort and Visitor Center at Fort Moultrie are closed, Fort Sumter and Liberty Square are now open.
Take a ferry from the Liberty Square Visitor Education Center, part of the National Park Service. Learn about the area’s contribution to the war with a self-guided tour and interpretive wayside exhibits. Be aware this is mostly an outdoor attraction with some limited access.
Both historic sites are about an hour's drive from your Kiawah Island property and just 30 minutes from Isle of Palms and Wild Dunes Resort.