PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. --Dressed in there sharp and crisply-ironed uniforms, U.S. Marines and Sailors held their heads high as they stood on the flight deck aboard the USS New York (LPD 21), manning the rails as they sailed in to Port Everglades, Florida, April 28, for Fleet Week Port Everglades 2014.
More than 120 Marines and Sailors from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 269, Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, and 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., embarked aboard the USS New York to participate in the 24th Annual Fleet Week in Port Everglades, Fla., April 28 through May 5.
The week-long celebration of the sea services honors the men and women of the military through public events and recognition. It also provides an opportunity to showcase the capabilities and skills of the men and women of the nation’s sea services.
“Our mission at fleet week is simple – it is to engage the community,” said Navy Capt. Christopher W. Brunett, commanding officer of USS New York, and native of Buffalo, N.Y. “Together as the Marine Corps-Navy team, we are going to show South Florida the face of today’s Navy and Marine Corps’ blue-green team, and (the Marines and Sailors) are the best ambassadors for that.”
During Fleet Week, Marines, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen will participate in friendly interservice competition, including Galley wars and Damage Control Olympics, volunteer with local community outreach organizations and experience the sights, sounds and hospitality of South Florida.
“It feels great to be home,” said Sean A. Sands, native of Key West, Fla., and airframes mechanic with HMLA-269. “Being down south Florida, Miami, Key West, is a place where you don’t typically get a lot of military attention compared to the New York Fleet Week, so I am glad it is down here. Everybody in down South Florida gets a chance to see what other Americans get to see and it’s good to show face with the military.”
