Parade of Ships Kicks off Seattle Seafair Fleet Week

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nardel Gervacio, Navy Public Affairs Support Element-West, Detachment Northwest

SEATTLE (NNS) -- USS Port Royal (CG 73), USS Kidd (DDG 100) and USS Green Bay (LPD 20) kicked off the 61st annual Seattle Seafair Fleet Week with the Parade of Ships, Aug. 4.

The annual celebration involves the U.S. Navy, along with the Canadian navy and U.S. Coast Guard, during which selected maritime ships sail into the Port of Seattle for the public to see.

Sailors have the opportunity to experience the sights of Seattle, and locals have the chance to meet Sailors and tour the participating ships.

"I think it was very interesting. It's fun to watch the ships go by and seeing the Sailors in their dress whites and the respect given to them," said Ann Spiegel of Yakima, Wash., who viewed the Parade of Ships from Pier 66. "The Parade of Ships is very touching, moving and inspiring for anyone who has a chance to see the parade."

As Navy Band Northwest played in the background, people from the Seattle area came out to witness the parade as the vessels from the United States Navy, Coast Guard and Canadian navy sailed throughout Elliot Bay.

"The Parade of Ships was great, and I enjoyed every minute of it. It lets people know what the Navy ships look like and what they're about," said Jim Odom, a resident of Seattle.

"It's important that the people, the tax payers know what their money is buying and that they're getting a return on their investment," said Navy Region Northwest Command Master Chief (AW/SW) Dave Bisson. "Our Navy stands ready to protect the mission and the interest of the United States. By us being here we can show them [the public] that the Sailors and crews of the ships are here to do just that."

US Navy Ships Arrive at Seattle for Seafair 2010

The amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) maneuvers through Elliot Bay to the Port of Seattle to participate in the 61st annual Seattle Seafair Fleet Week. Seafair activities allow U.S. and Canadian Sailors to experience the local community and to promote awareness of the maritime forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nardel Gervacio/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nardel Gervacio and Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Charles Whetstine, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West Det. Northwest

SEATTLE (NNS) -- USS Port Royal (CG 73), USS Kidd (DDG 100) and USS Green Bay (LPD 20) arrived in the Port of Seattle Aug. 3 for Seattle Seafair 2010.

Seattle Seafair is an annual summer celebration. The U.S. Navy, along with the Canadian navy and U.S. Coast Guard, participate in the event, during which selected ships sail into Seattle.

"Seafair is a great opportunity for Sailors to visit the great city of Seattle and interact with the public in a positive way," said Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) 2nd Class (SW) Brian Macias assigned to the Kidd. "I'm really looking forward to some of the great events in Seattle that are open to Sailors, like the Mariners Military Appreciation Night."

There are various activities held throughout the week for the Sailors to participate in, but some plan to take advantage of being in the Seattle area and visiting with family and friends.

"I'm excited to see some of my friends from the area that I haven't seen in years," said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Richard Hinkson. "I'm also looking forward to the boat races and air show at Lake Washington."

For some, the arrival meant preparing for the next evolution, which would be the "Parade of Ships." This event involves the ships taking on groups and giving them tours while the ships pull out and cruise the Elliot Bay area.

The community is also invited aboard the ships from Aug. 2 - 5 at the downtown Seattle Waterfront.

Sailors said they were pleased to have the opportunity to visit Seattle and will get a chance to not only show the colors of the U.S. Navy, but to enjoy themselves while in port.

"It's a beautiful city and my first time here. It was kind of a long transit, but I'm ready to go out and eat some seafood," Electronics Technician 3rd Class (SW) John Polinard.

"I'm excited. I'm looking forward to getting out on liberty and seeing what Seattle has to offer. I might go find out what the Space Needle's all about," said Boatswain's Mate 1st (SW) Class John Cook.

Ships Arrive in Seattle for Seafair, Sail in Parade of Ships

The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) arrives in Seattle for the 60th Seafair celebration. Sailors will have the opportunity to experience the sights of downtown Seattle, while the public will have the chance to tour the ship and meet Sailors. Shoup is homeported in Everett, Wash. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chantel M. Clayton/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chantel M. Clayton, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West Det. Northwest

SEATTLE (NNS) -- The citizens of Seattle, along with high-ranking Navy and Coast Guard officials and dignitaries, gathered along Elliot Bay for a parade of ships, marking the fleet's official arrival for Seattle's 60th Seafair celebration.

Alongside the hundreds of people who turned out to see the parade of ships was the Navy's top leader, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead.

"I'm here for Seafair. It's always great to come back to Seattle and to spend some time with the Sailors and people," said Roughead. "This gives me an opportunity to visit with Sailors here, and to thank the people of Seattle for their hospitality.

"I think everyone has a great time. Our Sailors love Seattle, and I hope that the citizens of Seattle enjoy meeting our Sailors and jump on the opportunity to tour the visiting ships. I think it's terrific that the people of Seattle can see their Navy, because it is their Navy. I can't be more proud of our folks, and I know that they will enjoy it."

As the Navy Band Northwest played in the background, people from the Seattle area, both young and old, came out to witness the parade of ships, as ships from the United States Navy, Coast Guard and Canadian Navy sailed in Elliot Bay. For many, this was the first time they had witnessed such a display.

"I read about it in the newspaper and wanted to come out here and see the ships. I thought it was really awesome to watch them come in, and it was an awesome experience," said Gay Beckman, a citizen of Puyallup, Wash. "I lived in Washington since 2005, and this is my first time experiencing Seafair. Even though it was hot today, it was worth it to come out."

For Rear Adm. James A. Symonds, commander, Navy Region Northwest, Seafair is an opportunity for Sailors to interact with the people of Seattle, while citizens show their appreciation for what Sailors do for the country.

"Seafair really means a lot to all of us here in the Puget Sound area," said Symonds. "This is a tremendous partnership. The great citizens of Seattle show their support every year not only during Seafair but throughout the year to our young Sailors. For ships like the Momsen and Shoup, who are stationed up in Everett, it means a lot to them. Every day it means a lot to them when they are on deployment on foreign shores."

Vice Adm. Richard Hunt, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, urged the citizens of Seattle to take advantage of the opportunity such as Seafair to meet Sailors.

"I think people should come take a look at the ships, get to know our Sailors and see what they do. It's all about our Navy; it's all about our Sailors and how we contribute to maritime security," said Hunt. "Our Sailors are doing a phenomenal job up here, and we appreciate the opportunity to showcase them and what they as individuals and working as a team contribute to our Navy."

Seattle Seafair is an annual celebration, which takes place during the month of July. The U.S. Navy, along with the Canadian navy and U.S. Coast Guard, participate in the annual event, during which selected ships sail into Seattle for the public to see. Sailors have the opportunity to experience the sights of Seattle, and citizens have the chance to meet Sailors and tour the participating ships. The U.S. Navy ships participating this year are the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Momsen (DDG 92) and USS Shoup (DDG 86), both homeported in Everett, Wash.

Parade of Ships Kicks Off Seattle Seafair Fleet Week

Blog Editor Note: For my friends in the Pacific Northwest, here comes the Navy again. I participated once in Seafair during my career and had a real good time. To you folks in Seattle check 380-390 MHz and look for trunk control channels. You might hear something interesting.

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW/NAC) Eric J. Rowley, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Det. Northwest



The Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) lead the parade of ships.

SEATTLE (NNS) -- Ticonderoga class cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and Whidbey Island class amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) kicked off the 59th annual Seattle Seafair Fleet Week July 30 with the parade of ships.

"The parade of ships is very touching, moving and inspiring for Americans who have a chance to see the parade," said Jerilyn Brusseau, Seattle Rotary, who viewed the parade of ships from Pier 66. "It was nice to tap into things you don't get to see every day. I appreciate, so much, the service of young men and women who have a purpose greater than ourselves. I wouldn't miss this."

Princeton and Germantown, followed by Coast Guard and Canadian ships, cruised around Elliott Bay and passed Pier 66 on the Seattle waterfront.

"Seafair is a long-standing festival that goes back to 1941 here in Seattle, and throughout its history they have made a point of including the Navy and ships in the Festival," said Rear Adm. James Symonds, commander Navy Region Northwest. "The parade of ships marked the official arrival of the fleet."

The parade left Pier 90, where the ships are moored for Seafair, with hundreds of passengers who requested to ride the ships in the parade.

"The parade of ships is important because it's an increase in public awareness," said Cmdr. Chris Phillips, commander, Navy Recruiting District Seattle. "By increasing public awareness, people are asking questions to me and other dignitaries around here as to what the Navy is about and why they are here. I think it's a good thing just to be able to talk to the public."

The parade of ships made a trip around the Puget Sound before passing through Elliott Bay and Pier 66 with Princeton leading the parade and firing off an aft cannon, saluting the citizens of Seattle.

"The parade of ships was great, I enjoyed every minute of it," said Melvin Bratley, Germantown passenger. "I haven't been on a ship like this before and it gave me a chance to see our service men and women in action and it gives me a perspective of what they have to do in giving service to our country. It's great to be able to meet some of these Sailors."