The United States Navy Band from Washington, D.C., will kick off the 50th anniversary celebration of Defense Depot Ogden Utah with a special salute to DDOU during a concert scheduled for Tuesday, March 12.
The free concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Weber State University's Dee Events Center.DDOU was activated as the Utah General Depot Sept. 9, 1941. When the War Department announced selection of the site one year earlier, the Ogden Chamber of Commerce raised $100,000 within 48 hours as part of the purchase price for the land.
When DDOU was first established, 1,678 acres of land were purchased.
On Aug. 15, 1941, the first payroll for 18 civilian employees was distributed. Peak employment was in excess of 8,000 during World War II. Current employment stands at just over 2,400.
Tickets for the U.S. Navy Band concert are available at the Standard-Examiner, 455 23rd St. in Ogden, or at the ticket office on the east side of the Dee Events Center. Tickets for DDOU employees will be available on the depot.