The Source for Navy News
San Francisco Welcomes Sailors to Fleet Week 2004
Story Number: NNS041012-12
Release Date: 10/12/2004 6:33:00 PM
By Journalist 2nd Class Paul Cage, San Francisco Fleet Week Command Information Bureau
SAN FRANCISCO (NNS) -- San Francisco residents and visitors offered a warm welcome to the men and women of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and Canadian navy, as they arrived in a Parade of Ships Oct. 8 to participate in Fleet Week 2004. The Parade of Ships marked the official beginning of the 24th annual celebration.
Sailors manned the rails of the nine-ship parade as it passed under the Golden Gate Bridge and moored along the city’s historic Embarcadero. Over the course of three days, Bay Area residents were given an opportunity to tour the ships and interact with the Sailors.
This year’s event features ship tours, air shows and multiple community relations projects that will allow Sailors the opportunity to interact with local residents of the Bay Area. Community relations events include visits to a local elementary school, a Veteran’s Medical Center and Oakland’s Children’s Hospital.
Fleet Week gives the San Francisco community a chance to honor the men and women who are serving and protecting their country. It also gives Sailors, like those aboard USS John Paul Jones (DDG 52), an opportunity to share with San Francisco what today’s naval service is all about.
“This is a good experience for the crew,” said John Paul Jones Commanding Officer Cmdr. Andy F. Cully. “This crew, and the rest of the sea services that are participating, are ambassadors for their military. It will allow them to show the citizens they will meet where their tax dollars are going, and that we appreciate the support they show us.”
Sailors are also looking forward to taking advantage of several opportunities to experience the area’s cultural attractions, many of which are discounted or free.
“This is my first time in San Francisco,” said Quartermaster 3rd Class Gary Long from Minot, N.D. “I plan on seeing Alcatraz Island, going to Chinatown to eat some good food, and I plan to get some great souvenirs,” he said.
For some members of John Paul Jones' crew, Fleet Week is like a homecoming. Many Sailors taking part in the event are from the San Francisco Bay Area.
“I was raised 90 minutes south of San Francisco," said Electronics Technician 3rd Class Benjamin J. Vargas, from Gilroy, Calif. "My dad and fiancée are coming to see me, and we plan on taking advantage of the special offers like the zoo. Then I plan on going home to see friends and family.”
U.S. Navy ships participating in San Francisco Fleet Week include the amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1); the dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52); the guided-missile destroyers John Paul Jones and USS Momsen (DDG 92); and the frigate USS Jarrett (FFG 33). The Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Alert (WMEC 638) is also a participant in this year’s Fleet Week.
Canada is also playing a significant role in Fleet Week festivities. The Canadian Kingston-class coastal defense vessels HMCS Brandon (MCDV 710), HMCS Edmonton (MCDV 703), and HMCS Nanaimo (MCDV 702) are in town representing the United States' neighbors to the north.
For information on San Francisco Fleet Week, visit the Web page at www.cnrsw.navy.mil/fleetweek2004/sf.
For related news, visit the Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/c3f.
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