On this first day of Fleet Week, I'd like to share my excitement. Being a Navy vet, and having worked in Emergency Management (later to include Homeland Security) during 9/11, I am always ecstatic being able to see any of our military in action, and watching the ships come up the Hudson when I've been able to has always been a huge, proud but emotional, thing for me.
This year I'm even MORE excited! I have booked a luncheon cruise tomorrow to see the ships from a different perspective. The tour also goes past the Statue of Liberty, and the Freedom Tower, both of which will have me in proud, patriotic tears, I'm sure! I also found out the USS New York will be at Pier 88, the "cruise ship pier" next to the Intrepid, in NYC. The New York was started shortly after 9/11, and contains quite a bit of salvaged steel from there. A LOT of towns in Northeastern NJ have pieces of steel in memorials, and I've been to/touched a lot of them. I've also been to Ground Zero several times. Again - proudly emotional. I'm also VERY happy the boat cruise I'm doing is handicapped accessible, so I can still be able to do it, and also not have to tear up my shoulder any further by having to use just a cane.
Anchors Aweigh!!