Just thought this would be a good time to pass out anti-war anti-repig fliers!
Voting informtion! ;)
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http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/F/FLEET_WEEK?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=USAnnual Fleet Week Observance Begins in NYCMay 24, 11:23 PM EDT
NEW YORK (AP) --
Flying a huge American flag from its mast, the guided missile cruiser USS Anzio led
nearly a dozen Navy ships and Coast Guard craft up New York Harbor on Wednesday to
open the city's 19th annual Fleet Week observance.
Some 4,000 sailors and Marines
were expected to spend time - and money - taking in Gotham's sights and sounds over
the next week."I want to see as many sights as possible - and ground zero comes first,"
said Marine Cpl. Bart Kilgo, 24, of Maple Lake, Minn., making his first visit to New York.
Kilgo and Lance Cpl. Jonathan Demi, 21, of Miami, were among dozens of service members
mingling with dignitaries aboard the USS Intrepid, the World War II carrier now serving
as a museum on the Hudson River.
They were chosen for having served recently in Iraq."There's something to be said for just walking through Times Square at nighttime or even
in daytime if you're in uniform," said Navy Cmdr. Tim Fowler, a staff member at the Office
of Naval Research. "Even if you're from a big city, New York has so much to offer."
This year's event was more low-key than usual, with fewer ships and only one foreign entrant,
the British navy's ocean survey vessel HMS Scott. Past gatherings have included ships from
Britain, Canada, France and other nations.
A civilian spokesman for Fleet Week, Chris Zendan, said there was no particular cutback in
the celebration, but the Navy's priorities determine what ships are available for the
weeklong port call.
The biggest entry in this year's group is the USS Kearsarge, a 40,500-ton amphibious
assault ship that carries a crew of 1,000, a contingent of 1,800 combat-ready Marines
and a variety of helicopters and jump-jet attack aircraft.
Besides daily ship tours at Manhattan's Pier 88 and Stapleton pier in Staten Island,
the program includes military band concerts, technology displays, military ceremonies
and demonstrations involving Marines, Navy SEALs and helicopters.
There are 14 scheduled parades in various parts of New York.Fleet Week:
http://www.fleetweek.navy.mil/public.htm ---