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    Modern heroes salute veterans as part of Fleet Week Port Everglades

    Modern heroes salute veterans as part of Fleet Week Port Everglades

    Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Zhiwei Tan | 150505-N-LG762-079 FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (May 5, 2015) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate...... read more read more

    FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, UNITED STATES

    05.05.2015

    Courtesy Story

    USS WASP (LHD 1)   

    FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - Approximately 60 U.S. Navy Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen from various military branches participated in “Salute to Veterans,” an event connecting yesterday’s veterans with today’s generation of military service members, at an assisted living facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in conjunction with the 25th annual Fleet Week Port Everglades May 5.

    Sailors from amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Cole (DDG 67) and USS James E. Williams (DDG 95), USS New Hampshire (SSN 778), Coast Guardsmen from USCGC Richard Etheridge (WPC 1102) and Marines assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit met with residents and guests at Independence Hall, Marrinson Senior Care Residence retirement community as part of a community relations (COMREL) project.

    “What is such an example to all of us is the passion that each of you still carries for your service and our service members today ... and the example that sets for all of us, as we continue to try and carry on the legacy that you left for all of us,” said Rear Adm. Cynthia M. Thebaud, commander, Expeditionary Strike Group Two.

    Some who attended the event echoed the statements made by Thebaud, and said they were glad to have the opportunity to interact with another generation of service members.

    “It makes you feel proud that the Sailors, Marines and the Coast Guardsmen haven’t forgot what serving is all about, it’s about the people and veterans who greet us when we come back from deployment,” said Lt. Roger Young, assigned to USS James E. Williams (DDG-95). “It is very humbling and it’s a privilege to sit down with these veterans who have gone before us and set a trend of how we are supposed to represent ourselves and our country.”

    Many veterans shared their stories with the newer generation, while others shared their thoughts on the role of today’s military, like Howard Lang, a Navy veteran who served as a store keeper aboard the USS General G.O. Squire (AP-130), a transport ship used by the Navy during World War II.

    “I think it’s wonderful, I really do, it’s so wonderful to see you young people so actively involved in protecting our country,” said Lang. “I hope you never have to go through what we went through ... we had a couple years there we did not know that we were going to emerge victorious, it was scary. And you guys never had to grow up under that threat, but the fact that you’re doing what you’re doing now is making sure that no other kids have to grow up under that threat either.”

    Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen from five ships are participating in the 25th annual Fleet Week Port Everglades, a weeklong celebration and collaboration with the community of South Florida. The series of events and ship tours provide the citizens of South Florida an opportunity to meet Sailors and Marines, as well as witness first-hand the latest capabilities of today's maritime services, to gain a better understanding of how the sea services support the maritime strategy and national defense of the United States.

    For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/FleetWeekPortEverglades or www.twitter.com/@FleetWeekPEV.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 05.05.2015
    Date Posted: 05.09.2015 14:36
    Story ID: 162818
    Location: FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, US

    Web Views: 55
    Downloads: 1

    PUBLIC DOMAIN