South Florida welcomes Marines, Sailors, Coast Guardsmen for Fleet Week Port Everglades 2014

Marine Corps Installations East
Story by Sgt. Alicia Leaders

Date: 04.29.2014
Posted: 04.29.2014 17:54
News ID: 128128
South Florida welcomes Marines, Sailors, Coast Guardsmen for Fleet Week Port Everglades 2014

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – U.S. Marines and Sailors stood in formation and yelled, “USS New York – Never Forget,” during their roll call at a welcoming party from South Floridian local community leaders at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., April 28.

Local community leaders officially welcomed participants of Fleet Week Port Everglades 2014 during the ship greeting and all-hands party.

“Thank you for visiting Seminole country,” said Steven Bower, president of the Florida Seminole Indian Veterans Club. “The Seminole Tribe of Florida and the Hard Rock Café and Casino have the honor to host this event every year. It is an honor and a privilege (to have you here), and I wanted to welcome you to Seminole country, and thank you for your service – ooh-rah.”

During the ship’s greeting, sponsored by SEACOR and hosted by Broward Navy Days, community members welcomed members of the Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard to South Florida and thanked them for their service.

“The town of Broward County has really been very gracious with their homes and their community (to all the Marines, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen),” said Rear Adm. Kevin Kovacich, commander of Carrier Strike Group 12, and native of Spokane, Wash.

During Fleet Week, Marines and Sailors from Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 269, Marine Corps Air Station New River, N.C., 2nd Assault Amphibian Battalion, and 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., will participate in friendly interservice competition, including Galley Wars and Damage Control Olympics, volunteer with local community outreach organizations and experience the sights, sounds and hospitality of South Florida.

For more news stories and photographs about Fleet Week Port Everglades, visit http://www.facebook.com/FleetWeekPortEverglades and http://www.facebook.com/mcasnewriver.