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STATEN ISLAND, New York – Thousands of students, teachers and parents took time out of the classroom for the park to participate in the Mount Loretto Aviation event, one of the first of many Fleet Week New York (FWNY) events planned from May 21-28.
The Mount Loretto Aviation Event provided an opportunity for the Sea Services to bring the festivities of the annual Fleet Week New York to the Staten Island community.
More than 45 schools transporting students in 200 buses arrived at Catholic Charities of Staten Island at Mount Loretto on May 21 to meet with Marines, Coast Guard and Navy personnel. During the aviation event, two MH-60S Seahawk helicopters assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9 landed in the Mount Loretto Park as Explosive Ordnance Disposal technicians fast roped from the helicopter to the park as crowds of students observed from a distance.
Cmdr. Rob Knoerzer, commanding officer, HSC-9, was on hand to speak with students as they toured both helicopters. He reminisced of how we was influenced to consider a career in naval aviation 30 years ago by attending an air show in his youth. That inspiration was a catalyst to seek a profession in the U.S. Navy.
“It is a great opportunity for our squadron to get out in the public eye and represent not only our squadron but the Navy as well; I think these public events are really important especially when we get in front of young kids and let them hear them directly from the Sailors about their jobs and experiences had in the Navy,” Knoerzer said. “I think it is something from an early age that lights the fire to see a unique profession like this and I would say that these types of events are a source of inspiration to get me where I am today, after 18 years serving in the Navy.”
After landing and powering down both aircraft, students were provided an opportunity to meet with the air crew, pilots, and EOD technicians to find out more about their roles in the U.S. Navy.
Now in its 36th year, FWNY is the city’s time-honored celebration of the sea services. It is an unparalleled opportunity for the citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen and witness the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services. Nearly 2,300 U.S. service members will participate in the festivities this year.
“Fleet Week New York is so important because it gives the community the opportunity to see the Navy in its rarest form and provides an opportunity [for students] to ask questions about who we are, what we do, and in turn, the community can be more knowledgeable about us,” Chief Navy Counselor LaTonya Perossier said.
Paul Buccellato, brought his son, Ryan to the Mount Loretto event to learn more about the different services and their role to serve and defend the nation.
“I brought my son to this event to experience the different branches of the military and to thank the men and women who serve our country and protect our freedoms,” Buccellato said.
Other students received information on technology and capabilities of state-of-the-art equipment that Coast Guard, Navy and Marines operate such as Michael Greene, a junior high school student attending Tottenville High School donned a bomb safety vest.
Retired Army First Sgt. Joseph Behnke, Port Richmond High School brought 34 students enrolled in their high school’s Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) to the aviation event.
“This is a great event for the cadets to see the different branches of service. They are used to see the Army instructors but for them to see Coast Guard, Navy and Marines gives them a better understanding of how the military works,” Behnke said.
Behnke, a native of Brooklyn, grew up watching previous Fleet Week New York events and wanted to provide that same opportunity for his students.
“I have been watching Fleet Week ever since I was a little kid, born and raised in Brooklyn. I would see the ships come under the Verrazzano Bridge, Behnke said. “This is the great opportunity for everyone to see the Navy because in New York City we do not get an opportunity to interact with active-duty Navy personnel. So, for them to see what the Navy is actually about is a great opportunity.”
The theme for Fleet Week New York 2024 is “Celebrating Those Who Serve”, which acknowledges and celebrates active duty personnel who serve and play a crucial role in supporting the fleet while carrying out our Navy’s maritime strategy and strategic objectives.
| Date Taken: | 05.21.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 05.26.2024 10:21 |
| Story ID: | 472180 |
| Location: | MOUNT LORETTO, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 111 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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