Detroit Prepares to Remember The War of 1812

DETROIT -- (WWJ) It's all about location, and General Motors Renaissance Center headquarters on the Detroit River will play a central role in next week's commemoration of the War of 1812.

VIDEO: WWJ AutoBeat Reporter Jeff Gilbert talks about GM's involvement in the events remembering the War of 1812.

"Because Detroit played such a key role in the War of 1812, we're supporting these events at our beautiful headquarters on the Detroit River," says Chris Perry, vice president Chevrolet global marketing. "We hope the community can come share our country's history and thank our military men and women for their service."

Five days of riverfront festivities will begin on Wednesday, September 5th. GM director of Diversity Ken Barrett says the company has a long history of supporting the military.

"As of right now, we have five thousand veterans that are current GM employees," he said. "We have over 45 thousand GM retirees that are veterans."

GM has about two dozen workers who have been called to active duty. The company's CEO, Dan Akerson, is also a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy.
Free public tours of four Navy and U.S. Coast Guard ships at the Renaissance Center, Port Authority and Nicholson Terminal include:

■US Brig Niagara: A Tall Ship replica of the original that played a decisive role in the Battle of Lake Erie (Renaissance Center)

■USS Hurricane: The third Cyclone-class patrol coastal ship, commissioned in 1993 (Port Authority)

■USCGC Katmai Bay: A 140-foot Bay-class icebreaking tug used for Homeland Security patrols and law enforcement (Port Authority)

■USS De Wert: A Navy Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate named after Hospitalman Richard De Wert, posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his heroism while serving with the 7th Marines during the Korean War. It was reported last year that the USS De Wert – during anti-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean – helped rescue the Italian vessel Montecristo from Somali pirates (Nicholson Terminal, with required shuttles from the Port Authority).

A fifth ship, the HMCS Ville de Quebec, will dock in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. It is a Halifax-class frigate serving in the Canadian armed forces.

General Motors will also use the celebration to promote some of its new products. That includes a collction of vintage Corvettes in the GM showroom on the ground floor of the RenCen

Other RenCen activities include:

■GM Wintergarden military technology display – including two flight simulators – designed to encourage students' involvement in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects

■Reproduction gun deck from a 1800s Coast Guard cutter, including a 200-pound replica cannon, surgical equipment, cooking supplies and navigation equipment. Coast Guard volunteers in period-style dress will answer visitors' questions.

Outside the RenCen, activities include:

■SeaPerch, an underwater robotics program that equips teachers and students with the resources they need to build an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and enter it into competitive SeaPerch Challenges

■Test-drives of 2013 model year cars, trucks and crossovers from Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac

■Coast Guard demonstrations that include precision rifle drills and search-and-rescue operations (Friday, Sept. 7 and Saturday, Sept. 8)

Here are the Detroit-area events commemorating the bicentennial of the War of 1812. Times are subject to change

Tuesday, Sept. 4

4-6 p.m.: U.S. Navy Band Great Lakes Show Band, GM RenCen Plaza Stage

4:30-6:30 p.m.: USS De Wert, USS Hurricane, US Brig Niagara and USCGC Katmai Bay arrive at Detroit riverfront

Wednesday, Sept. 5

10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Military Festival including GM ride-and-drive; science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) display (noon-5 p.m.), Corvette vehicle display, GM RenCen

11 a.m.-noon, 12:30-2 p.m.: Navy Band Great Lakes Pop Music Group, GM RenCen Plaza Stage

Noon: Welcome Ceremony, GM RenCen Plaza Stage, Ville de Quebec arrives in Windsor

1-6 p.m.: USCGC Katmai Bay public tours

Noon-7 p.m.: US Brig Niagara public tours

3-7 p.m.: USS De Wert and USS Hurricane public tours

4-6 p.m.: USMC Brass Band, GM RenCen Plaza Stage

Thursday, Sept. 6

10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Military Festival including GM ride-and-drive, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) display (noon-5 p.m.), Chevrolet Corvette display, GM RenCen

11 a.m.-2 p.m.: Navy Band Great Lakes Pop Music Group, GM RenCen Plaza Stage

1-6 p.m..: USCGC Katmai Bay public tours

Noon-4 p.m.: US Brig Niagara public tours

Noon-6 p.m.:USS De Wert and USS Hurricane public tours

5-7 p.m.: Navy Band Great Lakes Show Band (plays during Brig Niagara Gala arrivals)

Friday, Sept. 7

10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Military Festival including GM ride-and-drive, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) display (noon-5 p.m.), Chevrolet Corvette display, GM RenCen

10:45-11 a.m., 1:45-2 p.m., 2:30-2:45 p.m.: U.S. Coast Guard Drill Team (precision rifle display), GM RenCen Plaza Stage area

11 a.m.-1:45 p.m.: USMC Ceremonial Brass Band and Brass Band Concert, GM RenCen Plaza Stage

Noon-4 p.m.: USS Hurricane public tours

1-6 p.m.: USCGC Katmai Bay public tours

Noon-7 p.m.: US Brig Niagara and USS De Wert public tours

2-2:30 p.m.: U.S. Coast Guard search-and-rescue demonstration in front of GM RenCen on the Detroit River

4-6 p.m.: Horizon (pop music), GM RenCen Plaza Stage

6 p.m.: USS Hurricane departs for Battle of Lake Erie Anniversary

Saturday, Sept. 8

10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Military Festival including GM ride-and-drive, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) display (noon-6 p.m.), Chevrolet Corvette vehicle display, GM RenCen

11-11:15 a.m., 1:45-2 p.m., 2:30-2:45 p.m.: U.S. Coast Guard Drill Team (precision rifle display), GM RenCen Plaza Stage area

11:30 a.m.-1:45 p.m.: Navy Band Great Lakes Show Band, GM RenCen Plaza Stage

Noon-4 p.m.: USS De Wert public tours

Noon-5 p.m.: USCGC Katmai Bay public tours

2-2:30 p.m.: U.S. Coast Guard search-and-rescue demonstration in front of GM RenCen on the Detroit River

6-7:30 p.m.: Darryl Worley concert sponsored by GM Military Discount program. Immediately prior to the concert, the GM Foundation will present a grant to Operation Homefront

Sunday, Sept. 9

10 a.m.-3 p.m.: Military Festival including GM ride-and-drive, science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) display (noon-3 p.m.), Chevrolet Corvette vehicle display, GM RenCen

10 a.m.-4 p.m.: US Brig Niagara public tours

11-11:15 a.m., 2-2:15 p.m.: U.S. Coast Guard Drill Team (precision rifle display), GM RenCen area

Noon: USS Hurricane returns to Detroit

Noon-5 p.m.: USCGC Katmai Bay public tours

Noon-7 p.m.: USS De Wert public tours

Monday, Sept. 10

Noon: Ville de Quebec frigate departs Canada

9-10 a.m.: US Brig Niagara departs

1 p.m.: USCGC Katmai Bay, USS Hurricane depart

1:30 p.m.: USS De Wert departs