BROWARD COUNTY - During the month of July, the celebration of America's patriotic spirit continues at Broward County's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) with a special art exhibit honoring our nation's armed forces.  

Airport guests traveling through FLL in July can take a respite to view the exhibit "Honoring Our Military, Celebrating the Commissioning of USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28)" and reflect on the lives and service of some of our brave and selfless American heroes. The artwork is on display until July 31 in the post-security "Art Connector" walkway between Terminals 3 and 4. More than 500,000 passengers are expected to traverse this connecting terminal walkway throughout the exhibit's stay.   

"FLL is proud to be one of the Broward County sites for this art exhibition that celebrates the great honor of a namesake naval ship and the long history of our community's support for the military," said Mark Gale, CEO/Director of Aviation. "For us, this patriotic exhibit is a special salute to the U.S. veterans who travel through our airport and those we work alongside daily at FLL." 

Fort Lauderdale-based watercolor artist Marilyn Johansen developed the exhibition in partnership with the nonprofit USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28) Commissioning Committee, Navy League of the United States - Fort Lauderdale Council. It's intended as a community awareness project to celebrate the commissioning of the new navy vessel. Johansen's exhibit is a tribute to all branches of the military past, present, and future, and pays homage to their courage, sacrifice, and devotion to duty and country.  

In 2010, a dedicated small group of local citizens began a campaign requesting that the United States Department of the Navy recognize the long history of Fort Lauderdale's support of the Navy, going back to the Seminole Wars of the 1830s. 

Finally, in 2016, the Secretary of the Navy announced the naming of the amphibious transport dock ship, USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28). Construction of the vessel began in late 2016 at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Miss. 

In March 2022, the Navy took delivery of the new LPD 28 ship. The invitation-only commissioning ceremony for the USS Fort Lauderdale is set for July 30 at Port Everglades, starting at 10AM. Many community events are planned during the time period that leads up to the commissioning ceremony.

For more information about the new navy vessel, visit USSFortLauderdale.org. 

About Broward's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Airport generated $37.5 billion in economic activity annually and nearly 18,000 direct, local jobs. Currently, FLL is one of the fastest-recovering U.S. airports, with domestic passenger traffic approaching pre-pandemic levels. In 2021, the Airport served nearly 28.1 million passengers. FLL is located in Greater Fort Lauderdale in the heart of Florida's Gold Coast. The Aviation Department, FLL's operator, is a self-supporting agency of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners that does not rely on local tax dollars for operations and capital improvements. The department also operates North Perry Airport, a general aviation facility for private and charter aircraft operators. Call 954-359-6100 for more information. For updates on airport programs and services, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, or visit fll.net.

July 11, 2022
MEDIA CONTACT: 
Arlene Satchell, Public Information Officer
Broward County Aviation Department
954-359-6116/6201
asatchell@broward.org