Historic Carrier Intrepid Still Serving

The USS Intrepid has a long history of service to the United States.

And the ship is still serving the country today as the centerpiece of the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum on the Hudson River in New York City.

Friday, The Early Show was on the deck of the historic World War II-era aircraft carrier, as the show launched its Summer Concert Series with R&B singer Lionel Richie.

Early Show weather anchor and features reporter Dave Price said the 900 feet-long and five-story-high carrier was commissioned in 1943. The ship brought the fight directly to the enemy in World War II, he said, launching propeller planes from its flight deck.

The Intrepid survived five direct kamikaze hits during the war, Price reported, and always returned to battle. During the Vietnam War, the ship performed two tours of duty, carrying over 3,000 sailors and Marines, and the ship's last years in service saw it monitoring Soviet submarines during the Cold War.

"We're a great museum, it's fun, it's interactive, but there's a chance for people to learn about patriotism, and also about the sacrifices that our troops are making every day for us," museum President Director Ben White told co-anchor Harry Smith. "Freedom comes at a very high price today, and we remember and honor them each and every day at the Intrepid."

The museum is also working to help wounded soldiers by building a traumatic brain injury center at Bethesda, Md. The museum has pledged to raise $60 million, and White said they have $3 million to go. To help, visit Fallen Heroes Fund.org.