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Fleet Week 2009: NYC Celebrates Navy Servicemen and Women

by Jon Azpiri | May 20, 2009 at 04:09 pm

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2009 Fleet Week: Parade of Ships on the Hudson River, New York City

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Thousands of servicemen and women have flooded the streets of New York for Fleet Week 2009. This is the 22nd year for the event, highlighted by a parade of military vessels floating down the Hudson River.

This year's edition was somewhat scaled down, with only two major warships on the Hudson River. Ships from the US Coast Guard and the Canadian military also took part.

As anyone who seen the Fleet Week episode of Sex in the City can tell you, Fleet Week isn't just about warships. It's also a time for seamen to let loose. No doubt countless sailors will hit the streets of New York during Fleet Week 2009 in uniform looking for a good time.

Many local businesses are preparing for a busy week, including many exotic entertainment establishments.

As Fleet Week rolls into town Tuesday, one Manhattan strip club will be waiting with a special drink called the Drunken Captain and, the owners say, all proceeds will go back to the troops.

HeadQuarters, located just blocks from the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum on the West Side, is selling the cocktail for $16 during Fleet Week. Military personnel can buy it for $10.

Fleet Week runs from Wednesday May 20 to May 26.

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A. Tran

at 09:04 on May 24th, 2009

I can attest to the large presence of military personnel around town. The servicemen and women are also enjoying warm receptions from local New Yorkers in various ways, from meals to simple thank yous on the streets.

SnapPea45

at 04:21 on May 22nd, 2009

As a long time resident of Fort Lauderdale, it was a pleasure to once again visit Port Everglades and view the Naval and Coast Guard vessels up close. We chose to tour the USCGC Tahoma a Medium Endurance cutter and were delighted with our guide as she took us about the ship, relating information and describing the day to day activities aboard the Tahoma as they patrol the waters off the east and southern coasts of the United States.

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Ciorra Photography

at 19:32 on May 23rd, 2009

My interest is always with these "Mega Vessels " Aside from which at the moment it was interesting to meet many of the military personal and witness the respect they have for one another and for the general public . I did not get an education about the ship itself but speaking with the staff and soldiers from all over was very interesting . They shared funny stories about slight mishaps in the learning process of being on a massive ship and the many responsibilities that go along with it . Most concluded that "Team work" was essential .

Ciorra Photography has contributed a photo to this story.