Fleet Week 2012
120523-N-NO226-007
Credit: U.S. Navy
120523-N-NO226-007 NEW YORK (May 24, 2012) Sailors and Marines man the rails as the multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) transits the Hudson River during the Parade of Ships as part of Fleet Week New York City 2012. Wasp and 20 other U.S. and coalition ships will participate in the 25th anniversary of Fleet Week New York (FWNY), beginning with the Parade of Ships May 23. The naval vessels and sailing ships will be open for general public visiting at several locations during the week. Held nearly every year since 1984, FWNY is the city's celebration of the sea services. FWNY provides an opportunity for the citizens of New York City and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as see, first-hand, the latest capabilities of today's maritime services. More than 6,000 service men and women from the U.S. and foreign nations will arrive aboard the ships. This year, FWNY is one of the signature events around the country commemorating OpSail 2012, the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the Star-Spangled Banner. The commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 is a salute to all Sailors and Marines who fought gallantly in that conflict, who served in all our nation's conflicts since then, and who are defending freedom around the world today. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Leslie L. Tomaino/Released)
