'The Last Ship,' 'Epic Meal Time' actors cook during Fleet Week New York

Photo By Chief Petty Officer Patrick Gordon | STATEN ISLAND, New York (May 21, 2015) - From left, "Epic Meal Time" creator Harley Morenstein, and "The Last Ship" actors Jocko Sims and Adam Baldwin joke in the USS Stout (DDG 55) ward room galley during Fleet Week New York 2015. Morenstein, Sims and Baldwin visited the Stout to cook a meal for the crew and promote the "Selfie With a Sailor" program. Fleet Week New York, now in its 27th year, is the city's time-honored celebration of the sea services. It is an unparalleled opportunity for the citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Patrick A. Gordon/RELEASED)  

STATEN ISLAND, NY, UNITED STATES

05.21.2015

Courtesy Story

Navy Public Affairs Support Element, Det. Northwest

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Patrick A. Gordon, Fleet Week New York Public Affairs

NEW YORK – Crew members of USS Stout (DDG 55) were treated to a special meal served by actors Adam Baldwin and Jocko Sims of Turner Network Television's (TNT) "The Last Ship," aboard the ship in Staten Island during Fleet Week New York (FWNY), May 21.

The actors joined "Epic Meal Time" cooking show host Harley Morenstein to ensure the meal was one the Sailors would not soon forget.

“This is my first time working aboard a U.S. Navy ship,” said Morenstein. “(The ship) has a really epic feel, then you get into the kitchen and it's really tiny, and all the hallways are tiny, but it’s really cool."

The actors joked their way through cooking segments in the ship’s wardroom galley. The meal – which included heavy doses of cheese, bacon, hot dogs and butter – provided a backdrop to while the actors worked for the crew.

"It's humbling to be a part of this," said Baldwin, who portrays Cmdr. Mike Slattery on the show. "My father served in the Naval Air Corps back in the tail-end of World War II for a brief stint, so he imparted to me 'Honor, Courage, and Commitment' as a youth. I took a different track in life, but I try to honor the men and women of armed forces as best I can. Without you, we couldn't do what we're doing, so thank you for keeping us free."

After finishing up in the galley, the actors moved to the mess decks to serve the crew.

"This has been really nice," said Machinist's Mate 1st Class (SW) Charles Berend Jr., a crew member aboard the Stout. “I've been in the Navy for 10 years now, and I've met some celebrities in the past, but this is my first Fleet Week. To have them not only come here, but also cook us something really creative like this, it’s something else."

In addition to the meal, the actors worked their way through the ship to meet crew members and promote the "#SelfieWithASailor" initiative to raise funds for the United Service Organizations (USO).

For every photo posted with a Sailor to social media with the hash tag #SelfieWithASailor, Turner Network Television will donate one dollar to the USO. The program also aims to educate the public about the Navy by encouraging them to meet service members around FWNY and ask them questions about their service.

"Being a part of Fleet Week has been incredible, because I got to see the Parade of Ships in the greatest city in the country, New York ... and also just support the 'SelfieWithASailor' initiative," said Sims, who portrays Lt. Carlton Burk on the show. "It's been incredible to be here on the USS Stout.”

Fleet Week New York, now in its 27th year, is the city’s time-honored celebration of the sea services, and an unparalleled opportunity for the citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services. Fleet Week New York has been held nearly every year since 1984.

For up-to-date information on all Fleet Week events, visit the official Fleet Week New York website at www.fleetweeknewyork.com, “Like” FleetWeekNewYork on Facebook, or “Follow” @FleetWeekNYC on Twitter. Fleet Week New York photos can be viewed on Flickr at www.flickr.com/photos/fwnypao. Join the conversation on social media by using #FleetWeekNYC.

• Date Taken: 05.21.2015
• Date Posted: 05.22.2015 10:40
• Story ID: 164253
• Location: STATEN ISLAND, NY, US