Fleet Week returns to New York City after year's absence
NEW YORK (WABC) -- After a year's absence, Fleet Week is back and underway in New York City.
The celebration will be scaled down a bit compared to past years, but there are joyous times ahead as Navy sailors and Coast Guardsmen flood the city.
Three Navy ships and two Coast Guard cutters are scheduled to arrive in New York Harbor on Wednesday morning to kick off the festivities.
The usually annual celebration of America's sea services wasn't held in 2013 because of the government shutdown and federal budget sequester that hampered spending.
The event costs the Navy several million dollars spent on docking fees, fuel costs, security, hotel rooms and transporting large ships and aircraft to New York.
Fleet Week events include ship tours, parades and aerial demonstrations. Almost 1,500 service members are participating in the events this year.
"Really excited to be back this year and engaging with the New Yorkers and with the city," U.S. Navy Lieutenant John Supple said.
Leading the procession will be the USS Cole, which was attacked by suicide bombers in Yemen in 2000, a dark precursor to 9/11.
"First they're going to stop at Fort Hamilton, do a 21-gun salute, go to the Statue of Liberty, do a salute there, and then go to the World Trade Center and pay our honors there as well," U.S. Navy Commander Corey Barker said.
Fleet Week will run through May 27.
For up-to-date information on all Fleet Week events, visit the official Fleet Week New York website at FleetWeekNewYork.com
