McKenzie Brandel (right) escorted World Ward II Veteran John McNamara of New Orleans (left) who served in the Merchant Marine during the Grand Opening ceremony for the new US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center.

The National WWII Museum celebrated the next milestone in its $325 million expansion with a Grand Opening ceremony for the new US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center. An expansive, patriotic and emotional ceremony was matched only by the grandeur and glory of the new pavilion, which opened to the public today.

As part of a unique partnership with The Kenneth E. Behring National History Day Contest, The National WWII Museum flew writers of winning essays to New Orleans to take part in the “Salute to Freedom” weekend. Each winner and an adult chaperone received an all-expense-paid trip to New Orleans to represent his or her state at the grand opening. The competition was open to all students in grades 6 – 12 who qualified for the National History Day Contest, with winners announced on June 14 in College Park, Maryland.

Mackenzie took the trip to New Orleans with her parents, Troy and Karen Brandel.

As one of the Salute to Freedom winners, Mackenzie carried the State of Michigan flag into the ceremony, and escorted World War II veteran John McNamara of New Orleans who served in the Merchant Marines.