National Museum of the U.S. Navy

A military mascot, also known as a ceremonial pet or regimental mascot, is a pet animal maintained by a military unit as a mascot for ceremonial purposes and/or as an emblem of that unit. It differs from a military animal in that it is not employed for use directly in warfare as a weapon or for transport.  Animals, of varying types, have served as mascots in the military for generations.  The navy is no exception.  In recognition of National Pet Day, join museum curator, Gordon Calhoun as he delivers an insightful, family-friendly look at various pets (both famous and infamous) in naval history.

About the Speaker: Gordon Calhoun is a historian and curator with the National Museum of the United States Navy.  A graduate of the College of the Wooster and Old Dominion University, he has worked with Navy museums for 27 years as a curator, editor, and historian and has given numerous talks on a variety of U.S. Naval subjects.   Outside of his official duties, he owns and operates a thoroughbred horse farm with his wife just north of Fredericksburg, Virginia.