Fleet Week Gets Underway At Port Everglades
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FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - Ft. Lauderdale's annual Fleet Week got underway Monday morning with the arrival of some of the U.S. Navy's finest at Port Everglades.
The USS Bataan amphibious assault ship, the destroyers USS Bainbridge and USS Cole, and Coast Guard cutters Robert Yered and Dependable are visiting the port.
"This is the type of vessel that would storm the beach at Normandy Battle their way ashore," said Lt. Mike Hatfield of the USS Bataan.
Also in port is the USS California, a submarine.
"This is the first weekend that I've been able to come back home to see my family, I'm just excited, I'm just excited to be back," said seaman Carlos Baez.
"Fishing. I can't wait to go fishing," said fellow sailor Daniel Matarazzo.
In addition to getting some much-needed relaxation, the 2,000 or so visiting sailors, marines and Coast Guard personnel will take part in a number of events including a golf tournament, a fishing tournament, luncheons, community outreach projects and challenges - such as the popular Galley Wars Culinary Competition and the Resolve Marine Damage Control Olympics.
Many events are free and open to the public. A complete schedule of events can be found at BrowardNavyDaysInc.org.
The "All Hands On Deck" welcome will take place Monday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
"I have so much pride in South Florida and I'm so excited for them to get to interact here, our cultural awareness is amazing, all the things that they can do, it's unique for them," said Jennifer Marks, a cryptologic technician.
The USS Cole, which was commissioned in Ft. Lauderdale, was attacked in the Middle East. Seventeen sailors lost their lives, on board there is a reminder of their sacrifice.
"The Hall of Heroes," said operations specialist Carol Chalut. "There are 17 gold stars laid in the deck in the Hall of Heroes. We shine them every day and treat them with the utmost respect for the 17 sailors that passed that day."
The USS Bainbridge was the main ship in the rescue of Captain Richard Phillips from a band of pirates. The real life story was turned into movie starring Tom Hanks.
"The thing that I most look forward to is getting out there with the people of South Florida, to tell them how greatly appreciative we are, for all the great support they give their United States Navy," John J.C. Carter, commanding officer of the Bataan. "We could not do what we do without all their appreciationa and support."
Over the course of the week, more than 10,000 South Florida students, residents and veterans will get to tour the visiting Navy and Coast Guard ships. These tour reservations were made months ago, no more reservations are being taken.
The 26th annual Humana Fleet Week Port Everglades runs through May 9th.
Coinciding with fleet week is the return of the Fort Lauderdale Air Show where The Air Force Thunderbirds will headline, soaring and thrilling, hundreds of thousands on the beach this weekend.