On Thursday, February 20, 2025, US Navy veterans and long-time Midway docents, Brian Butler, MA, and Steve Walker, Top Gun graduate, will present a dynamic visual journey of how the longest-serving aircraft carrier became the most visited ship museum in the world. Learn more about the Midway’s history, transition to museu,m and how today, a visit to Midway not only lets guests enjoy more than 80 years of naval aviation history but provides a first-hand experience to discover what it’s like to be a naval aviator.
Hear about the legacy of this amazing aircraft carrier museum, the extensive collection of restored military aircraft, and how the museum’s flight simulators and virtual reality experience put visitors in the pilot seat.
You will also hear an update on the partnership with the Port of San Diego that Midway embarked upon to create the largest veterans park on the West Coast.
For twenty years, the USS Midway Museum has been open to the public as a floating naval aircraft carrier museum, proudly known as America’s Living Symbol of Freedom, When completed in 2028, “Freedom Park at Navy Pier” will tell the story of everyday heroes who served our country and preserved our freedoms. The inspirational park will be a tremendous addition to the San Diego bayfront and will honor the military tradition of San Diego.
Important Registration Information: Capacity is limited and reservations are required. No walk-ins will be admitted.
If you have any questions please email info@coronadohistory.org or call (619) 435-7242.
Speaker Information:
Brian Butler and Steve Walker, are proud US Navy Veterans and active docents at the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum located in downtown San Diego.
Brian arrived in San Diego as a 22-year-old Navy Ensign way back in 1968 and was deployed to the Western Pacific on two San Diego-based aircraft carriers. When his three-year Navy commitment was over, he earned a master’s degree from San Diego State. He then worked at numerous San Diego area companies in marketing communications positions for over four decades. Brian has been a docent volunteer for the Midway for more than seven years.
Steve Walker served as a Naval Aviator for 23 years of combined active and reserve duty and retired as a Captain in the Navy Reserves. He has more than 4,300 flight hours, mostly in the A-4 aircraft. He is a graduate of the Navy Fighter Weapons School (Topgun). Steve was a commercial pilot for 30 years working for Western Airlines. Delta Airlines, and Net Jets (G-4’s), and amassed more than
22, 000 hours of flight time around the world. He retired from Delta in 2005. Today he is a substitute teacher working for the Diocese of San Diego in both middle and high school. He has also taught graduate and undergraduate aviation and management courses at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in their worldwide online campus. He has been an active Midway Docent for over 10 years.
