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NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — Country and pop star Marie Osmond visited Norfolk to board the Battleship Wisconsin, 31 years after her legendary performance.

Osmond first performed on the Wisconsin the day after Christmas in 1990 while at sea as part of Bob Hope’s Desert Shield USO troupe.

At that time, there were 1,600 sailors and marines aboard as the United States prepared for war with Iraq.

On December 13, 2021, Osmond returned to the Wisconsin at noon and met with ship Veterans ahead of her Virginia Arts Festival performance that evening. Osmond was welcomed by World War II Veterans who watched her USO performance in 1990.

“We performed right here. We sang and the ship was full of incredible people,” Marie Osmond reminisced to Battleship Operations Manager Keith Nitka on the bow of the Wisconsin. “It was an amazing experience; I remember it vividly.”

During her tour, Osmond was presented with a challenge coin and Wisconsin hat.

Osmond is one of only a handful of guests to sign Turret One and her signature is showcased still to this day. Her signature on Turret One sits alongside General Norman Schwarzkopf, General Colin Powell, Steve Martin and Dan Rather.

Osmond was in town for a special holiday performance at the Chrysler Hall during the Virginia Arts Festival. She was joined by her nephew, Broadway performer David Osmond, 2018’s “America’s Got Talent” finalist, classical-pop crossover vocalist Daniel Emmett, and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, conducted by
Brent Havens.

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