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Commissionings | Reenlistments |
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Retirements |
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The USS KIDD Veterans Memorial is a popular destination for many of our local ROTC units and college graduates who wish to hold their commissioning ceremonies and start their military careers here. Others already in the Armed Forces often like to reenlist aboard the KIDD. Some even choose to wrap up their military careers by holding their retirement ceremonies here.
For those wishing to make their ceremony memorable, we offer a unique and special setting at a very affordable price.
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A Marine Corps reenlistment is held at the Lejeune Statue during the Marine Corps birthday in November. |
Prices & Reservations Information
A base price of $150.00 is charged for your ceremony and includes use of your chosen venue or location, discounted admission for a party of twenty-five (25), podium, sound system, seating, and use of the museum's service flags.
For parties of twenty-six (26) or more, there is an additional charge of $6.00 per person for those attending above the initial twenty-five (25) included in the base price. |
If you are catering your event, there is a $100.00 flat fee. This covers the set-up and breakdown of tables and chairs in our P-40 Courtyard. Our kitchen area is available for use by the caterer of your choice and includes a refrigerator, freezer, 4-burner stove, oven, hotplate grill, microwave, ice machine, and a 3-basin sink. Our staff can place you in contact with local caterers whom you can negotiate with and make arrangements for your luncheon or refreshments.
Reservations may be made by calling (225) 342-1942, x. 10, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., daily. Bookings cannot be made on the following dates: July 3, July 4, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day.
Choosing The Appropriate Setting
Your branch of service will understandably determine where you would like to hold your ceremony. Most Navy and Coast Guard personnel prefer to be aboard ship on the fantail or the foc's'le. Air Force graduates enjoy holding their event beneath the wings of the P-40E Warhawk or in the Memorial Plaza in the shadow of the A-7E Corsair (the "D" model Corsairs were used by the Air Force; the "E" model by the Navy). The Marines often gather near the statue of Lieutenant General John Archer Lejeune, 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps. Army personnel and graduates often migrate into the Memorial Plaza, surrounded by the names of over 7,000 servicemen and women that provide a link to their heritage and demonstrate the cost of freedom.
Of course, these venues are susceptible to the weather. Inside the museum, our theater on the 1st floor seats one hundred (100) people comfortably and provides a range of audio/visual equipment that supports CD, DVD, VHS, and Laserdisc formats.
Additional Services
If you would like to have a color guard present for your reenlistment or retirement service, our staff can put you into contact with several Reserve and JROTC units in the Baton Rouge area.
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If you would like your U.S. flag flown from the USS KIDD or above the Louisiana Memorial Plaza, we can do this for you at no charge. Simply ship your flag to us in a timely fashion with return shipping information, the cost of return postage, and a timetable in which you need it returned. |
The KIDD herself is also able to take part in your service in the place of a rifle squad, firing a salute from her 5"/38-cal. guns. Check with the Reservations Department on the costs associated with this.
Our staff can also recommend local photographers to help you document this milestone in your career.
Where Can I Park?
Four parking garages are located in our immediate vicinity. The Baton Rouge River Center garages (East & West) are located one block away at the corner of Government Street and St. Ferdinand Street. Two garages for the Belle of Baton Rouge Casino are located within one block of the museum: the first at the corner of South Boulevard and South River Road, and the second immediately adjacent to us at the corner of South River Road and France Street.
To minimize street crossings for the children, priority is given to visiting school groups for museum curbside parking, particularly during the months of April and May.
How Can I Support The KIDD Museum?
Simply by hosting your commissioning, reenlistment, or retirement ceremonies at the KIDD, you are providing invaluable support for the Memorial. We receive neither state nor federal funding and must operate on whatever funding can be generated from tours, Overnights, fundraisers, and events such as this. Purchasing an annual membership to the museum may appeal to you. And, of course, donations are always welcomed and help to support our mission of honoring our men and women in uniform and educating the public about their sacrifices.