By Mass Communication Specialists 1st Class Gina Danals and David Wyscaver
Fleet Week New York Public Affairs
NEW YORK -- Fleet Week New York (FWNY) 2015 came to a close as amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD 17), guided-missile destroyers USS Barry (DDG 52) and Stout (DDG 55), and U.S. Coast Guard cutters Sturgeon Bay (WTGB 109) and Spencer (WMEC 905) departed Manhattan and Staten Island, May 26.
FWNY gave citizens of New York City and the tri-state area an opportunity to see and experience how sea service members operate on a daily basis.
While visiting, Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen were treated to the sights, sounds and hospitality of the Big Apple, while also contributing to local community relations projects, including Habitat for Humanity and Project HOPE; parades; and Memorial Day commemorations.
It is estimated that more than 80,000 New York citizens visited and toured U.S. Naval Academy, Navy and Coast Guard ships during the week.
“We want to offer a special thank you the citizens of New York for being such gracious hosts,” said Cmdr. David Stallworth, Carrier Strike Group Two. “The outpouring of support we felt from the community was overwhelming.”
Cmdr. Jennifer Eaton, executive officer, USS Barry, echoed the sentiment by saying, “The citizens of New York and the USO rolled out the red carpet, and left it out for us.”
Many service members took advantage of unique opportunities to attend tapings of nationally syndicated television shows, including “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” “The View,” “The Today Show,” and “Good Morning America,” to name a few; or visited New York City landmarks like the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty and the One World Trade Center.
Additionally, Fleet Week-sponsored sporting events catered to the service members’ competitive nature, such as the annual Navy versus Marine Corps tug-of-war and push-up challenge; and the New York Mets opened their gates for service members to honor veterans from each of the sea services during their “Veteran of the Game” segment.
Although Fleet Week has come to a close, many New York citizens and first-responders will cherish the opportunity they had to get to know the service members.
New York Firefighter Glen Johnson said Fleet Week reminds him of how hard the military works to keep the public safe.
“Every year, our fire station participates in Fleet Week and we see people from every background coming together to showcase their pride for the military,” he said. “We salute the service members when they arrive, as well as when they leave.”
Margarita Giammanco, a USO volunteer, said, “This is an opportunity of a lifetime to support the military and the families for their many sacrifices.”
For up-to-date information about Fleet Week New York, visit the official Fleet Week New York website at www.fleetweeknewyork.com, “Like” FleetWeekNewYork on Facebook, or “Follow” @FleetWeekNYC on Twitter. Fleet Week New York photos can be viewed on Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/fwnypao. Join the conversation on social media by using #FleetWeekNYC.
Date Taken: | 05.26.2015 |
Date Posted: | 05.26.2015 12:12 |
Story ID: | 164541 |
Location: | NEW YORK, NEW YORK, US |
Web Views: | 72 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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