The Queen Mary once again hosted a day filled with live music, arts and crafts, and family-friendly activities to honor veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families on Veterans Day.
Veterans and their guests enjoyed free admission aboard the legendary ship on Tuesday, Nov. 11, and special programming and activities designed to commemorate and celebrate their service — including meet-and-greets with the ship’s captain and officers.
In the Queen’s Salon, the programming began with a presentation of the colors by the Poly High School JROTC and the singing of the national anthem. Families with children were entertained by making arts and crafts, and writing letters to active troop members.
“This day is dedicated, from all of our team here on the Queen Mary, to you – our veterans,” Steve Caloca, managing director of the Queen Mary, said during the celebration. “We thank you so much.”
Army Veteran Robert Respicio, center, poses for a photograph with the Vintage Vixens during the Queen Mary’s Veterans Day celebration in Long Beach on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, Ashley North, Jennifer Vigiletti and Maureen Russell of the Vintage Vixens perform during a day of celebration honoring our nation’s heroes on Veterans Day at The Queen Mary in Long Beach on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Air Force Veteran Randy Mills attends the Queen Mary’s Veterans Day celebration in Long Beach on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Air Force Veteran Robert Nordland attends the Queen Mary’s Veterans Day celebration in Long Beach on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The Vintage Vixens speak with Navy Veteran Michael Sheehan during the Queen Mary’s Veterans Day celebration in Long Beach on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, Jennifer Vigiletti, Maureen Russell and Ashley North of the Vintage Vixens perform during a day of celebration honoring our nation’s heroes for Veterans Day at The Queen Mary in Long Beach on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Jennifer Vigiletti of the Vintage Vixens performs during a day of celebration honoring our nation’s heroes for Veterans Day at The Queen Mary in Long Beach on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From right, Ashley North of the Vintage Vixens speaks with Navy Veteran Michael Sheehan during the Queen Mary’s Veterans Day celebration in Long Beach on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Jennifer Vigiletti, center, introduces herself to Army Veteran Tom Taradash during the Queen Mary’s Veterans Day celebration in Long Beach on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, Ashley North, Jennifer Vigiletti and Maureen Russell of the Vintage Vixens perform during a day of celebration honoring our nation’s heroes for Veterans Day at The Queen Mary in Long Beach on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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Army Veteran Robert Respicio, center, poses for a photograph with the Vintage Vixens during the Queen Mary’s Veterans Day celebration in Long Beach on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Caloca went on to share how his father is a 93-year-old Marine veteran who was called to serve in the Korean War when he was only 18 years old.
“Our everyday freedoms and ability to live in this nation in any way, shape or form, is due to our veteran service in the Armed Forces,” Caloca said. “Although we can never repay our veterans for their service, we can express our gratitude, respect their commitment to the greater good, and acknowledge their sacrifices. Today is not only a day of admiration, but I think you would all agree, it’s a day of reflection.”
As a war veteran itself, the Queen Mary proudly welcomed fellow veterans and their families aboard for a day of reflection, gratitude and celebration, officials said. The ship is a retired troop carrier that played an integral part in carrying Allied troops during World War II. The Queen Mary carried more than 800,000 troops from the U.S. to the European Theater, Caloca said.
Guests were also treated to live entertainment featuring patriotic performances by the USO Girls.
“We really enjoyed the entertainment,” said Don Wanzo, 37, who served in the Army.
The Wanzo family, who live in Long Beach, attended last year’s event and returned this year because it was an amazing experience, they said.
Wanzo said he recommends other veterans and active-duty members and their families to attend next year.
Army veteran Tom Taradash and his wife, Vicki, from Arizona, were staying at the Queen Mary to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary this year. They stayed to enjoy the Veterans Day celebration before heading to their next destination. The couple said they enjoyed the performance by the USO Girls as well.
“Yesterday, we were on a tour of the ship, and we ran into one of the singers over here,” Vicki Taradash said. “She was practicing, and so she told us about today, so we said we’d stay for it.”
Admission also included access to select self-guided tours of the ship’s renowned exhibits and spaces, including the Churchill Exhibit, the Engine Room, the Ship Model Gallery, the Wheelhouse, and the Shipyard. Guests were also able to get cocktails at the historic Observation Bar and got access to the Queen Mary’s No.3 Speakeasy to enjoy live swing and wartime jazz, ration-inspired cocktails, and a midday tribute to the ship’s WWII legacy.