Battlehead Gear Ships It Forward
Lauren Fonseca-Fiddler received the grand prize of a $2,000 gift certificate for United Airlines in Battleship Missouri Memorial’s nationwide Facebook contest. At the center of the ‘Ship it Forward’ contest was its eye-catching new ‘Battle-head’ headgear, designed in the shape of the Mighty Mo. Photo from Battleship Missouri Memorial.
It was a Battlehead that ultimately deemed Lauren Fonseca-Fiddler grand-prize winner of Battleship Missouri Memorial’s “Ship it Forward” Facebook contest.
Open to the entire nation, a “Battlehead ambassador” in each state received a complimentary Battlehead — much like a Cheesehead, only more appropriately in the shape of the Mighty Mo. To enter, contestants were asked to take a photo at a historic location in their hometown wearing the Battlehead, before posting it to the Missouri’s Facebook page with #shipitforward and a hashtag of their own state.
Then, ambassadors were asked to “ship it forward” by sharing their Battlehead with friends and family to encourage others to enter the contest. All contestants from the state with the largest number of entries became eligible to win the grand prize in a random drawing.
“Pearl Harbor and the USS Missouri will always hold a special place in the hearts of people throughout the nation,” said Jaclyn Hawse, director of communications and business development with Battleship Missouri Memorial.
“We wanted to inspire participants in this friendly competition so they could have the opportunity to show the pride they have for their hometown and country.”
Fonseca-Fiddler took her winning photo at the Brewseum in Kakaako. The bar, known for its collection of military memorabilia, had a Battlehead and was encouraging its customers to participate in the contest.
“It was the perfect place to take the photo, being surrounded by a museum full of historic military gear,” she said.
As grand prize winner, Fonseca-Fiddler has received a $2,000 United Airlines gift certificate. With it, she and husband Kawika Fiddler hope to travel to Europe.
“I’ve love to visit Ireland because of its natural beauty and seclusion,” she said. “The history, the culture and landscape are all so beautiful, and I’ve always wanted to experience it.”
Fonseca-Fiddler has long been a patron to the Missouri, and the contest also stirred personal memories.
“I remember exploring the Mighty Mo on field trips as a student at Kamehameha Schools,” she recalled. “It was such an emotional and moving visit. I’m so grateful for the experience they provided me with as a student, and now, for the experience to come in the future thanks to the organization’s generosity.”
Though the Missouri does not have any immediate plans to repeat this contest, it is designing other social media competitions.
Battleship Missouri Memorial opened in 1999 and has since welcome more than 6 million visitors from around the world.
“Our mission as the USS Missouri Memorial Association is to preserve the Battleship Missouri and to share her story and place in history,” explained Hawse. “As the caretaker for America’s last battleship, we are truly thankful and touched by the support and enthusiasm our fans show each day.”
