b'U . S .M i l i t a r ya resident of the area, could begin to imagine Corpus Christi without the Lex. In its core mission as a center of education and national pride, no facility of its kind has a more profound impact on every succeeding generation of young Americans, whose public education in American history seems diminished and replaced, year after year. The Lex works with service-oriented youth organizations like the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, Junior ROTC programs in the high schools, and service-sup-ported groups like the Sea Cadets, in offering access to the ship for training, Celebrity Fighter JetThe actual F-14 Tomcat flown by thetours, ceremonies and educational programs.U.S. Navy in the original Top Gun, on the deck of the Lex. Today, the USS Lexington Museum on the Bay is one of the top visitor attrac-tions in the state of Texas, and as such, is perpetually expanding, improving, and upgrading visitor displays and features. A mega theater and flight simula-tor were added years ago, and the ships escape room adventures have become a huge hit. Hangar deck and other tour-route exhibits tell the story of naval aviation and major Pacific battles in WWII. Just as popular as the tour of the ship itself are the aircraft displayed on the flight deck, which include a real Blue Angels F/A-18 Hornet, Navy training aircraft flown from NAS Corpus Christi, as well as the A-list, celebrity plane aboard the Lexthe actual F-14 Tomcat flown by the Navy in the original Top Gun movie, in 1986.In addition to serving as a museum and visitor attraction, the USS Lexington is the ultimate, iconic special events venue. A professional bull riding event was held on the flight deck in 2020 and 2021. Corvette enthusiasts from through-out the U.S. have made the pilgrimage to the Lex for on-board car shows. In 2014, the Lex was the site of a Pepsi NFL commercial, featuring Country star Blake Shelton, that aired during the Super Bowl in 2015. The ships massive hangar deck is the venue for charity galas including the annual Stage Door Canteen fundraiser, taking place each February. Private space is even offered for company and organizational events and training sessions.Eighty years after the USS Lexington (CV-16) and its brave and patriotic crew entered a world of disarray and uncertainty, sent upon its mission to save free people from the tyranny of mighty enemies, the mission today can be seen as equally important to an American society that is less-connected to those sac-rifices than ever before. The museums crew of over 70, along with hundreds of volunteers every year, exude the pride they take in that mission.The Lex is a reminder that freedom is neither free nor guaranteed. It was fought for and died for by millions of Americans over many generations, in-cluding the Greatest of those generations who served aboard the USS Lexing-tonone of the most decorated warship in American military history.above :Annual Stage Door Canteen gala fundraiser on the hangar deck of the Lex.lower and right :Country star Blake Shelton aboard the Lex performing for the Pepsi NFL com-mercial that aired during the 2015 Super Bowl broadcast.122THE COASTAL BEND GUIDE TheCoastalBend.com'