Heroes Hall open to pay tribute to veterans on Memorial Day

Heroes Hall will be open on Memorial Day, providing the public with a fitting venue to honor veterans on this solemn occasion.

Located at OC Fair & Event Center, Heroes Hall is a new permanent year-round museum with exhibitions, performances and educational programs that celebrate the legacy of Orange County veterans and others who have served our nation. Admission is free from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Memorial Day, May 29.

On display

Current exhibitions include The Things They Carried and The SAAAB Story, about the history of the Santa Ana Army Air Base. The two-story museum space will rotate themes semi-annually with each focusing on an aspect of the personal stories and experiences of veterans.

The Things They Carried is based on the book by Tim O’Brien and offers a glimpse into veterans’ personal experiences of war. Working in conjunction with local veterans groups, the stories of Orange County veterans are gathered and told through  personal objects they have loaned to Heroes Hall for the exhibit. 

The SAAAB Story exhibition celebrates the history of the flight training center, its contribution to the war effort, the airmen that served here and its role in the development of the growth of Orange County.

Tributes to veterans

The Heroes Hall Medal of Honor Plaza and Orange County Walk of Honor are tributes to veterans from Orange County who received the highest honors that the United States government bestows for acts of valor and heroism. There are 28 plaques celebrating the stories of these veterans; 11 received the Medal of Honor. There are 17 plaques lining the Orange County Walk of Honor that include veterans that have received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Air Force Cross and the Navy Cross. Names are added as new information becomes available.

Open July 4

Heroes Hall will also be open on Independence Day, July 4, and is open free to the pubic 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Heroes Hall will be open during the OC Fair July 14-Aug. 13 with fair admission.

‘Voices – Veterans Storytelling Project’

A special program, “Voices – Veterans Storytelling Project,” will take place May 23 at Heroes Hall, starting at 8 p.m. RSVP at veteranstorytelling.eventbrite.com to receive free tickets. The performance is suggested for mature audiences.

For more information about Heroes Hall, visit ocfair.com/heroeshall
or call (714) 708-1500.