In a glorious sign of a return to normality, the men and women of the United States Navy, Marines and Coast Guard once again grace the streets of the city: After two years, Fleet Week is back.
The Parade of Ships arrived Wednesday to kick off the weeklong festivities, one of New York’s cherished traditions, with the USS Bataan (otherwise known as the Big 5, one of the largest ships in the army) in the lead.
“To be able to stop here and fly and see where I grew up is awesome,” Bryce Batiancela, USN and a born-and-raised Staten Islander, told ABC7.
More than 3,000 sailors will participate in Fleet Week, and nearly 100,000 visitors are expected for events from Staten Island to Times Square to East Meadow, as well as ship tours Thursday through Memorial Day.
This is a great opportunity to thank our men and women in uniform for their lifetime of service. And, who knows, maybe getting kissed by a sailor.
New York Post
