Friends of Fisher House Charleston
A Veterans Day Concert & Reception

Symphony of Service
aboard the Yorktown

A Veterans Day concert and reception with the Charleston Symphony and the Charleston Men’s Chorus aboard the USS Yorktown, supporting Veteran families staying at the Charleston Fisher House.

November 11, 2026 • USS Yorktown, Patriots Point • Mount Pleasant, SC

Friends of Fisher House Charleston
Patriots PointCharleston Men's Chorus
Charleston Symphony
About the Event

A Veterans Day gathering aboard the USS Yorktown.

On November 11, the Charleston community will gather aboard the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point for a Veterans Day program honoring those who served and supporting veteran families receiving care in Charleston.

The day is planned in two parts: a public program on the flight deck featuring music, remembrance, and community participation, followed by a private evening reception for sponsors, donors, and partners in support of the Fisher House mission.

The Schedule

1:30 PM

Summerall Guards

The Citadel’s silent precision drill platoon

2:00 – 3:00 PM

CHS Men’s Chorus

Military songs, ending with a Service Anthem Medley

3:00 – 4:00 PM

CSO Brass Ensemble

A journey through American military history, by the Charleston Symphony

4:30 – 6:30 PM

Fantail Reception

Champagne, hors d’oeuvres & a string quartet · by invitation

The flight deck concert is free and open to the public with general admission to the ship.
The evening reception on the fantail is reserved for sponsors and invited guests.

Supporting the Charleston Fisher House

Veterans should not have to face medical care alone.

The Charleston Fisher House gives families a place to stay at no cost while a loved one receives care at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. This event, and its sponsors, underwrite that mission.

Front of the Charleston Fisher House

Sponsored By

Modus21ATI — Advanced Technology InternationalAdvanced Operations PartnersFisher House FoundationThe Post and CourierNucorHumana MilitaryAlphaGraphicsLee DistributorsCoors BanquetKathryn
S.L. Cox
Armed Forces Financial NetworkBlueCross BlueShield of South CarolinaIndigo Books
The Concert

The Charleston Symphony, on the flight deck of the USS Yorktown.

The public flight deck program is a community tribute as much as a concert. At 1:30 PM, The Citadel’s Summerall Guards take the bow of the flight deck for their famed silent precision drill. At 2:00, the Charleston Men’s Chorus opens the concert with military songs, closing their set with a Service Anthem Medley recognizing each branch of service. The Charleston Symphony’s brass ensemble follows with a program tracing American military history in music.

WCIV anchor and Air Force Reserve veteran Tom Crawford serves as emcee for the afternoon. General James Livingston, Medal of Honor recipient, joins the program as an honored guest.

As a final salute, a planned F-35 flyover from MCAS Beaufort will mark the close of the concert.

Charleston SymphonyCharleston Men's Chorus
A family walks the pier toward the USS Yorktown at Patriots Point, Mount Pleasant, SC

The stage sits on the flight deck of the USS Yorktown (CV-10), one of the most decorated aircraft carriers in American naval history and a National Historic Landmark. Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum sits on Charleston Harbor in Mount Pleasant, with sweeping views of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge and the Charleston peninsula.

The concert is free and open to the public with general admission to the ship. As evening falls, the reception for sponsors and invited guests follows on the fantail, with champagne, hors d’oeuvres, and a string quartet as the sun sets over the harbor.

Parking and access details will be posted as the event approaches.

The Program

Symphony of Service

Veterans Day · Wednesday, November 11, 2026

The flight deck of the USS Yorktown, Patriots Point

1:30 PM

Summerall Guards

The Citadel’s silent precision drill platoon, at the bow of the flight deck

2:00 PM

Charleston Men’s Chorus

Military songs a cappella, then joined by the Charleston Symphony Brass

  1. The Armed Forces Medley

    With the Charleston Symphony Brass

  2. Eternal Father, Strong to Save

    The Navy Hymn · John B. Dykes, words by William Whiting

    With the Charleston Symphony Brass

By tradition, veterans and service members stand when the song of their branch is played during the Armed Forces Medley.

3:00 PM · Intermission

Remarks

Emcee Tom Crawford of WCIV welcomes honored guest Major General James E. Livingston, USMC (Ret.), recipient of the Medal of Honor.

Following the remarks

Charleston Symphony Brass & Percussion

A journey through American military history in music

  1. Fanfare and The Star-Spangled Banner1′30″

    John Stafford Smith, arr. Jari Villanueva

  2. This Is My Country2′00″

    Don Raye, arr. Jari Villanueva

  3. Medley Americana3′35″
    1. You’re a Grand Old Flag
    2. Three Cheers for the Red, White and Blue
    3. I’m a Yankee Doodle Dandy

    Stephen Bulla

  4. An American Portrait7′00″

    Lewis J. Buckley

  5. We’ll Meet Again / The White Cliffs of Dover3′00″

    arr. Jari Villanueva

  6. Simple Gifts2′05″

    American Shaker song

  7. Three Bugle Calls for Brass2′20″

    arr. Jari Villanueva

  8. Battle Hymn of the Republic3′15″

    Julia Ward Howe

  9. America the Beautiful3′30″

    Samuel Augustus Ward, arr. Brian Bowen

  10. God Bless America2′30″

    Irving Berlin, arr. Jari Villanueva

Finale

A Final Salute

Charleston Symphony Brass & Percussion

  • Brandon NicholsHorn
  • Tim HudsonTrumpet
  • Philip SmithTrumpet
  • Christopher LindgrenTrombone
  • Tom JoyceBass Trombone
  • Matthew ShipesTuba
  • Ryan LeveillePercussion

Thank you for joining us in honoring every veteran this Veterans Day.

Every gift to Friends of Fisher House Charleston helps veteran families stay close to loved ones receiving care at the Fisher House Charleston.

Support Veteran Families
Sponsorship

Become a sponsor.

Sponsorships underwrite the event so community support goes directly to the families staying at the Charleston Fisher House. Explore the levels below, then reach out through the sponsorship inquiry form.

Sponsorship commitments, logos, and sponsor names are due by September 1, 2026.

Platinum
$25,000
1 available
  • Top logo placement
  • Photo with Gen. Livingston
  • Remarks from stage
  • 10 reception invitations and VIP concert seats
Gold
$15,000
  • Logo on program
  • Stage recognition
  • 6 reception invitations and VIP concert seats
Silver
$5,000
  • Program listing
  • Group recognition
  • 4 reception invitations and VIP concert seats

Sponsorships benefit Friends of Fisher House Charleston, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

Plan Your Visit

What to know before you go.

Date and time
Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Summerall Guards at 1:30 PM, flight deck concert 2:00 to 4:00 PM.
Location
USS Yorktown flight deck, Patriots Point, 40 Patriots Point Road, Mount Pleasant, SC. Directions and parking
Admission
The concert is free with general admission to the museum. Veterans are admitted free on Veterans Day. Tickets and pricing
Arriving
The museum opens at 10:00 AM and the ticket window closes at 4:00 PM. Plan to be aboard by 1:30 to see the Summerall Guards. Museum hours
Accessibility
An elevator provides access to the flight deck. Wheelchairs and golf cart rides to the ship are available at no cost. Accessibility information
The reception
4:30 to 6:30 PM on the fantail, by invitation for sponsors and invited guests.
Questions

Frequently asked questions.

Do I need a ticket?
The flight deck concert is free with general admission to the museum. Buying online in advance saves time, and the ticket window closes at 4:00 PM.
Are veterans admitted free?
Yes, veterans are admitted free to the ship on Veterans Day.
How early should I arrive?
The museum opens at 10:00 AM. Plan to be aboard the ship by 1:30 PM to see the Summerall Guards before the 2:00 PM concert.
Where do I park?
Onsite parking is available and is paid separately from museum admission.
Can I tour the ship the same day?
Yes. General admission includes the USS Yorktown, the USS Laffey, the historic aircraft, the Vietnam Experience, and the Medal of Honor Museum.
Can I reach the flight deck without using stairs?
Yes. An elevator aboard the USS Yorktown provides access to the flight deck, and wheelchairs and golf cart rides are available at no cost.
Are children welcome?
Yes. The flight deck program is open to all ages.
Can I bring my dog?
Service animals are welcome. Pets and companion animals are not permitted aboard.
Can I attend the reception on the fantail?
The evening reception is reserved for sponsors and invited guests.
What happens if the weather is bad?
If weather does not permit the program on the flight deck, the concert will move to an indoor venue aboard the ship. There is no rain date. Any change will be announced here and on our social channels. Sign up for event updates to be notified directly.
Who do I contact with questions?
Questions about the program can be sent through our contact form. Questions about admission, parking, and accessibility are handled by Patriots Point.

Admission, parking, hours, and accessibility are managed by Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum.

Event Updates

Parking details, schedule changes, and news from Fisher House Charleston.