In honor of Independence Day and the Refuge's role in World War II, Senator Ted Stevens presented four veterans of the Aleutian campaign American flags that flew over the Capitol on the 50th Anniversary of Veteran's Day. The ceremony concluded with Senator Stevens christening the building with a bottle of champagne. Besides Senator Stevens, guests included Vice-Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher, Jr., NOAA Undersecretary of Commerce, J. Steven Griles, Deputy Secretary of the Interior, David Bedford, Deputy Commissioner, ADF&G, and Rowan Gould, Service Regional Director. The event barely finished before staff and volunteers joined the July 4 parade where Refuge floats included a smoking volcano followed by a ship crowded with children in hats decorated as puffins, sea otters, and other colorful animals. The Sand Point Dancers and Blue Goose followed along with Aleutian Campaign veterans chauffeured in classic automobiles.