Fleet Week sails into New York for annual military celebration | World news | guardian.co.uk

US marines and navy personnel on the USS Wasp as the amphibious assault ship approaches New York for Fleet Week. Photograph: Keith Bedford/Reuters

It is Fleet Week again in New York and the city is awash in seamen through Memorial Day.

For the 25th year, New York City is playing host to the maritime military branches as thousands of men and women in uniform from US navy and US coast guard dock in the city's harbors and conduct a massive community outreach.

"The idea behind Fleet Week is that people in America may not get a chance to see the Navy up close. This brings the sailors, marines and coast guardsmen right here so they can meet and get a familiarity and understanding of members of the seas service," US navy spokesman Lieutenant Commander Mike Billips told the Guardian.

"People can climb on board ships to see what the equipment and daily life is like for these young men and women."

FOR THE FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE: Fleet Week sails into New York for annual military celebration | World news | guardian.co.uk