Dubois County Museum: NSWC Crane commanding officer to speak at special Veterans Day program

The Dubois County Museum will welcom Captain Duncan McKay, commanding officer of Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) to the museum for a Veterans Day program on Saturday, November 12, 2022. The museum will open at 10:00 a.m. Captain McKay will speak at 10:30 a.m. about NSWC Crane, his career, and the history of Veterans Day.

Captain Duncan McKay assumed command of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) in July 2020. He is a native of Tampa, Florida. He graduated with a bachelor of science in Physics from Florida State University in 1996 and was commissioned an Ensign in September 1992 after completing of Officer Candidate School. He was assigned to the fast attack submarine USS ALEXANDRIA (SSN 757) stationed in Groton, Connecticut in February 1998. His tour included deployments to the North Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Persian Gulf.  In 2016, he was assigned as the military deputy for the USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76) Selected Restricted Availability in Yokosuka, Japan.

The museum is also adding to its military exhibit including new items for the exhibit on soldiers’ uniforms and equipment from World War II and Vietnam War. Also, recently donated to the museum and going on display is the United States Military Academy cadet full dress uniform (three uniforms actually) belonging to Jeff Balka, a 2005 graduate from Northeast Dubois High School. Balka received nominations from Indiana Senator Richard Lugar and State Representative Baron Hill and was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point in the Class of 2009.  Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  His duty assignments include Fort Drum, NY; Fort Leonard Wood, MO; and Camp Casey, Republic of Korea. Balka also completed combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

The museum is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 a.m.-2:00pm, Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-4:00pm and Sunday 1:00-4:00pm.  Closed on Monday. 

Admission of $5 per adult, $3 for high school students, and $2 for middle and elementary students is charged.  Visitors four and under are free.  Those holding a current Dubois County Museum Membership are granted free admission.