Virginia Beach Photos, Hotels, Discounts, & Area Information
Virginia Beach Virginia Virginia Beach has been a key location throughout military history and continues to serve the country with several currently active stations.Visitors interested in the military or on leave from their own duties can find many patriotic sightseeing activities and photo opportunities. From tours of the Naval Amphibious Base where Navy Seals train to the Oceana Naval Air Station which houses the East Coast's fighter squadrons, visitors can get an inside look into the maneuvers of our nation's armed forces, as well photograph some impressive monuments to past battles. While George Washington defeated the British Army at Yorktown, he had a lot of help from the French navy. Twenty-four French ships fought off the British fleet's attempt to extract General Cornwallis and his 7,500 troops. The Battle of the Capes Monument commemorates this crucial Revolutionary War sea battle. It shares a place at Fort Story with the  First Landing Site, a memorial marking the first landing of the Jamestown settlers in 1607. Fort Story is a fully functioning military station which provides 1,451 acres of parkland for great hiking and biking, as well as two beaches open to the public. It is also home to the old Cape Henry Lighthouse, which marked the entrance to the Chesapeake Bay from 1791 until it was replaced by the new lighthouse in 1881. The old lighthouse is open for visitors to climb for a commanding view of Virginia Beach and the bay. The lighthouse is located in Fort Story and is open daily from 10am - 5pm March 15 - Oct. 31. Admission is $2 for adults,$1 for seniors and kids ages 7-18.The Old Coast Guard Station was built in 1903 and now functions as a museum. Exhibits capture the history of the Coast Guard and other life-saving agencies who have rescued innumerable people over the past 100 years. The museum also has exhibits on shipwrecks that took place off of Virginia's Coast. The Old Coast Guard Station is open from October through Memorial Day from 10 am- 5 pm Tuesday through Saturday and from noon to 5 pm on Sundays. The Douglas MacArthur Memorial, Tidewater Veterans Memorial, Yorktown Battlefield and U.S.S. Wisconsin are just some of the many military attractions in Virginia Beach. This town is a military history buff's paradise and fantastic weekend getaway for the Fourth of July, Memorial Day and all year round. |
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