Celebrate Armed Forces Day at Cape May’s World War II Lookout Tower

Cape May— Pay tribute to the dedicated men and women who have helped preserve our freedom and honor America’s “greatest generation” on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 15 at Cape May’s World War II Lookout Tower (Fire Control Tower No. 23) Museum & Memorial.
The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities (MAC) is hosting an event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the World War II Lookout Tower to highlight the Cape May area’s role during the war years, honor veterans and celebrate Armed Forces Day.
A ceremony to honor area veterans will start at 11 a.m. Reverend Jeff Elliott from the Cape May Lutheran Church will lead an invocation. World War II veterans who volunteer their time to MAC and the World War II Lookout Tower will receive certificates of appreciation.
Reenactors from Fort Miles and Fort Mott will be on hand and will discuss the important role Cape May and the Tower played during the war years. Military, craft and food vendors will set up shop in the parking lot across from the tower.
Free admission to the events on the grounds. Present or past members of the military showing a military ID or wearing any part of a military uniform will have free admission to climb the Tower. Regular admission to climb the Tower is $6 for adults and $3 for children (ages 3-12). The Tower is located on Sunset Boulevard in Lower Township, near Cape May Point.
Fire Control Tower No. 23 was part of the immense Harbor Defense of the Delaware system known as Fort Miles. Built in 1942, the tower was one of fifteen concrete lookout towers that helped aim batteries of coastal artillery, stretching from North Wildwood, N.J. to Bethany Beach, DE. Four were in Cape May County, N.J.—the towers located in North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest were torn down and a third tower is located inside Cape May’s Grand Hotel, Beach and Philadelphia avenues.
After the award-winning restoration, visitors can climb to the sixth floor observation platform at the top and see equipment used to determine firing coordinates for massive guns on both sides of the Delaware Bay. Each level of the tower includes interpretive panels and photos that explain the tower’s function, as well as Cape May’s important role in homeland defense during World War II. The third level of the tower is dedicated to the brave men and women from the Cape May area who served during World War II and contains the “Wall of Honor” as well as “Cape May’s World War II Honor Roll.”
The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts and Humanities (MAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Cape May’s heritage. MAC also fosters the performing arts. MAC membership is open to all. For more information about MAC’s year-round tours, festivals, special events and many volunteer opportunities, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit MAC’s website at www.capemaymac.org.