Hundreds Of Sailors, Marines In Town For Fleet Week
FT. LAUDERDALE (CBS4) - South Florida welcomes 2,500 sailors and marines as they land at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on Monday for the 21st annual Broward Navy Days Fleet Week.
The annual event gives the average Joe a chance to see his tax dollars at work.
Visiting vessels include the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima, the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy, the guided-missile destroyer USS Ross, the submarine USS Annapolis and a U.S. Coast Guard Cutter. The first ship, the USS Iwo Jima arrived at 7 a.m. and the last ship docked around noon.
Lt. Dan Thomas, who flies Blackhawk helicopters for the Navy, grew up in Ft. Lauderdale.
"I grew up down here. My family is still down here so it's really cool for me to be able to come back down here to not only see my family and friends but to help out," said Thomas.
After four tours of duty in Iraq, this is Thomas' first Fleet Week in his hometown.
"When I was little my parents used to bring me down to the pier to see the ships that would come into port," said Thomas.
This year's week long event kicks off the "All Hands on Deck" welcoming party Monday night at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, which features a free Navy Band concert.
Those wanting to take a tour of the ship and have not registered yet are out of luck; organizers say all of the ship tours have been filled.
During the week the sailors and marines will not only get a chance to relax, but visit a number of schools and hospitals along with taking part in community events.
"It's very important for us to show the public what their United States Navy does, what their Marine Corps does and the Coast Guard, but more so, for us to give back to the community, to thank everyone here in South Florida for the great honor that they give us and the support they give us over the course of the year," said U.S. Navy Lt. Commander Jonathan Blyth.
