Fleet Week 2015 Held in Fort Lauderdale

Broward Navy Days, Inc. is hosting the 25th annual Humana FLEET WEEK PORT EVERGLADES, May 4 - 10, 2015. Hundreds of Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen arrived on five visiting ships to participate in a week of recreational activities, professional demonstrations and community service projects at locations across South Florida.

Among the activities planned:

"All Hands on Deck" Welcoming Party at Seminole Hard Rock Casino
Red Cross Blood Drives
Community Relations Projects at Local Schools, Hospitals, Civic Organizations
Damage Control Olympics at Resolve Marine Academy
Public Ship Tours with Special Days for Students, Veterans, ROTC & Sea Cadets Groups
"Galley Wars" Culinary Competition with Celebrity Judges
Salute to Veterans Sponsored by The Marrinson Group
Legion of Honor Ceremony hosted by Consul General of France
Public Concerts by Navy Band Southeast in Hollywood and Pompano Beach
Take a Hero Fishing Tournaments in Ft. Lauderdale and Miami

In addition to events commemorating the 25th anniversary of Broward Navy Days, Inc., Fleet Week Port Everglades is also celebrating the 225th anniversary of the U.S. Coast Guard and the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Naval Reserves with special receptions.

The ships participating in the event include the U.S.S. Wasp, an amphibious assault craft; two destroyers, the U.S.S. Cole and U.S.S. James Williams; a submarine; and the U.S. Coast Guard fast response cutter Richard Etheridge. 

Many events are free and open to the public. A complete schedule of events and links to register for ship tours can be found on BrowardNavyDaysInc.org.

"These great young Americans felt a call to serve their country and are routinely sent to represent our nation and defend our strategic interests at great personal risk. Hours are long, pay is low, and physical hardships and family separations are part of the job," explained Mary Anne Gray, chair of Broward Navy Days, Inc. "Fleet Week provides an opportunity for the citizens of South Florida to meet and thank these heroes while witnessing first-hand the latest capabilities of today's modern Navy and maritime services."