NEW ORLEANS — As the bells tolled in St. Louis Cathedral and other churches along the Mississippi River, a coalition of United States and international ships left New Orleans, April 23, at the end of the first Navy Week commemorating the bicentennial of the War of 1812.
Nine ships from six nations hosted visits by more than 110,000 people at their berths along the east bank of the Mississippi River.
The six-day celebration of the sea services honored the men and women of the military through public events and recognition, and also provided an opportunity to showcase the capabilities of surface platforms, equipment and the skills of the men and women serving aboard these vessels.
“The visit was a success,” said Lt. Michael Welgan, one of the De Wert’s engineering officers. “We had a chance to showcase our ship to New Orleans and the outlying communities. I have been to New Orleans in the past, but it was nice to return and introduce my shipmates to the culture the area has to offer.”
Three U.S. Navy ships -- the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1), the destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57), and the frigate USS De Wert (FFG 45) were joined by tall ships from Indonesia, Ecuador and the U.S. Coast Guard barque Eagle, as well FS Germinal from France, HMS Montrose from Great Britain and HMCS St. John’s from Canada.
The commemoration in New Orleans was an opportunity for sailors and Marines to engage the American public to increase awareness and knowledge of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, and the vital role these services play in defense of the nation and the projection of the maritime power and security.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for our sailors and Marines to tell their story, and the story of the sea services,” said Capt. Gary Boardman, commanding officer of USS Wasp. “I would like my sailors to reflect back on what we as a Navy accomplished back in 1812 and look at how far we have come.”
Events throughout the week included a seafood cook-off competition featuring local celebrity chefs teamed with military culinary specialists at Woldenberg Park, service bands playing throughout the French Quarter and a daily schedule of ship tours.
Visitors the ships were surprised at the amount of interactive, hands-on opportunities to handle Marine Corps and Navy gear, vehicles and weapons, under the watchful supervision of crew members and Marines.
Cliff Morrison brought his 12-year-old granddaughter Taylor from Baton Rouge to tour the ships.
“I like the M16s and big guns,” she said. “When I’m older, I want to follow in my great grandfather’s footsteps and join the military.”
While New Orleans is known for its nightlife and food, liberty wasn’t the only mission during this port visit. Nearly a dozen community relations projects were completed, and the ships performed normal underway training on the way to and from New Orleans.
Sailors and Marines from the ships, as well as Navy Seabees from Gulfport, Miss., rolled up their sleeves and planted trees along Lake Pontchartrain, built a house with Habitat for Humanity and visited children in local hospitals.
Chief Operations Specialist Clifford Dillard from USS Mitscher, participated in a three-day project at Boystown where he helped sanding and painting.
“We were warmly received,” said Dillard, “a lot of people didn’t know that the sailors did projects like that.”
Commemorative events are scheduled to continue along the East Coast and Great Lakes over the next three years in 14 cities, culminating in New Orleans in January 2015, the bicentennial of the Battle of New Orleans. In 1815, a mostly volunteer army led by future president Andrew Jackson defeated a much larger British force at Chalmette, securing the Mississippi River and the entire Louisiana Purchase. U.S. Navy sailors and U.S. Marines were among the defenders, and Navy cannon contributed to the firepower that devastated 10,000 crack British troops.
Two hundred years ago, the United States was a sparsely populated, newly independent country fighting a war with Great Britain – the world’s largest empire – over disputed borders and maritime superiority. The War of 1812 brought forth many heroic acts on land and at sea in defense of our freedom and national sovereignty.
“The Navy’s role in the War of 1812 reemphasizes the Navy Core Values we have today,” said Cmdr. Vince W. Baker, De Wert’s commanding officer. “It shows what the Navy has been doing well for 200 years on the world seas”
| Date Taken: | 04.23.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 04.23.2012 14:16 |
| Story ID: | 87192 |
| Location: | NEW ORELANS, LOUISIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 132 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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