By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) J.C.J. Stokes
Navy Region Mid-Atlantic
BOSTON – The U.S. Navy parachute demonstration team, The Leap Frogs, landed in Boston Common during an aerial demonstration for the public July 3.
The jump was one of several aerial dives the team had the opportunity to perform during Boston Navy Week 2012.
“It’s a…celebration of our freedom and what [service members] do for us,” said Peggy Scott, a Boston resident whose uncle served in WWII. “It is a wonderful way to remember and to celebrate them.”
The team of five deployed out of a C-130 aircraft at an altitude of 6,500 feet launching blue and gold parachutes shortly into the 1,000 feet per minute fall. Each Leap Frog completed canopy formations before descending into the crowd of spectators, with the last jumper deploying the American flag attached with red, white and blue smoke trailing behind him.
The performance brought emotion to some of those watching the demonstration. “They [Leap Frogs] picked a good city to do this,” said Louis F. Brandano, a prior Army WWII paratrooper. “I have great respect for the SEALs – thank you for serving and God Bless America!”
The history of aerial demonstrations began in 1960 when Navy Sea, Land and Air teams performed air shows on weekends before becoming officially commissioned in 1974 by the Department of Defense to showcase navy capabilities.
A celebration of the nation’s sea services, Boston Navy Week provides an opportunity for the citizens of Boston and New England to meet sailors, Marines and Coastguardsmen, as well as see the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services firsthand.
Boston Navy Week is one of many signature events around the country commemorating 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 continue defending freedom around the world today.
Since winning our independence in 1776, the United States has been a maritime nation, relying on unobstructed access and free use of the world’s oceans, which are essential to our national security and prosperity. The performance of America’s sailors and Marines in the War of 1812 set the standards upon which our naval forces continue to build today.
For more information, visit the official Boston Navy Week website at www.bostonnavyweek.com or search “Boston Navy Week” on Facebook.
| Date Taken: | 07.03.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 07.04.2012 15:44 |
| Story ID: | 91094 |
| Location: | BOSTON, MA, US |
| Web Views: | 129 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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