Celebrate With The Troops, Fleet Week 2012 NYC

Some 6,000 sailors, marines and coast guardsman were shipped into New York City Wednesday for the beginning of Fleet Week, this year marking the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.

A flotilla of tall ships glided past the Statue of Liberty, while the Blue Angels flew past the Empire State Building, and New Yorkers everywhere watched on in awe.

NYC Fleet Week takes place every year in late May, spanning Memorial Day Weekend. Many of the events take place at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum (which charges admission, though military (retired and active) are admitted free), but there are also lots of free activities, including ship tours in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island, performances and demonstrations around New York City (this is why Harlem needs to bring back the Harlem pier).

The New York Daily News talked to some New York City servicemen, just happy to be back home:

Marine Lance Cpl. Dennis Cox, who is 22 and from Harlem, said he’s looking to show his buddies a good time in Gotham.

“You don’t get the opportunity to get all your Marines in one place, especially your friends who you went to combat with, and to show them your hometown,” Cox said.

Petty Officer Second Class Joe Maydwell, a retired NYPD sergeant and Navy reservist based in the city, said “the sailors will have a ton of fun.”

“When you walk around New York City in a sailor suit, you’re a chick magnet,” said Maydwell, 48.

Katy Perry performed for servicemen on the Brooklyn waterfront while wearing an American flag dress, and further North aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid, Will Smith, along with Jaden and Willow and DJ Jazzy Jeff, performed for sailors at the MIB3 premier.

There will be events for the public until May 29th (for a full schedule go here) including demonstrations, performances, flyovers, and visiting hours aboard the ships.

Sailors, marines and coast guardsmen looking to blow off some steam at the city’s bars and strip clubs will find copious deals. Anyone with a military ID will get into the Headquarters Gentleman Club for free, plus $5 drinks. Scores will also offer free admission, drinks and dances, according to The Daily News.

This year also marks the first Fleet Week since the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and city businesses are lining up to attract gay service members. From DNAinfo:

The OUT NYC, the city’s first gay hotel has kicked off their Served With Pride Package for Fleet Week, but will keep the discount program going indefinitely. Military personnel staying at the hotel at at 512 W. 42nd St. will get 30 percent off their rooms, a complimentary “Served With Pride” T-shirt or tank top, along with free wifi and complimentary continental breakfast…

The Maritime Hotel at 363 West 16th Street is offering its own discounts to sailors, with rooms for $99 a night for any active-duty seaman or woman in their Navy whites.

The hotel’s restaurant, La Bottega, has put together its own line of nautical-themed specialty cocktails, including the Anchor, the Albatross, and the Do Ask, Please Tell.

Here’s the schedule for the remaining days of Fleet Week:

Friday, May 25, 2012

• 8 am-5 pm
  Free Ship Tours
  Where: Pier 90 & 92, 51st St/West Side Highway
  Where: Stapleton Pier, SI
• 9 am-4 pm
  U.S. Marine Corps Day in Battery Park
  Where: Battery Park
• 9:30 a.m.
  USN Aviation Event
  Where: Hackensack High School, Hackensack, NJ
• 10 a.m.
  USMC Aviation Event
  Where: Forrest Hills High School, Queens
• 12:30 p.m.
  USMC Aviation Event
  Where: East Islip High School, Long Island
• 12:30
  USN Aviation Event
  Where: Paramus Middle School, Paramus, NJ
• 2:30 pm
  USMC Aviation Event
  Where: Orchard Beach (Bronx)

• 8 am-5 pm
  Free Ship Tours
  Where: Pier 90 & 92, 51st St/West Side Highway
  Where: Port Authority Piers, Brooklyn
  Where: Stapleton Pier, SI
• 9 am-6 pm
  USMC Day in Times Square
  featuring performance by the Navy Band NE & USMC Band
  Where: Times Square
• 10 am – 2 pm
  U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Air and Land Demonstrations
  Where: Eisenhower Park (East Meadow, NY)
• Noon – 4 p.m.
  Governors Island Family Fest\
  Where: (Governors Island)
• 1 pm
  Staten Island Music Festival
  Where: Staten Island

• 8 am-5 pm
  Free Ship Tours
  Where: Stapleton Pier, SI
  Where: Port Authority Piers, Brooklyn
• 10 am
  USMC Aviation Event
  Where: Flushing Meadows Corona Park
• 10 am – 3 pm
  Staten Island War of 1812 Commemoration Event
  Where: Ft. Wadsworth
• 2 – 6 pm
  Military Bands in Times Square
  Where: Times Square
• 2 pm
  USN aviation event
  Where: Randall Park, Freeport
• 2 pm
  USMC aviation event
  Where: Playland Park, Rye, NY

• 8 am-5 pm
  Free Ship Tours
  Where: Pier 90 & 92, 51st St/West Side Highway
  Where: Port Authority Piers, BrooklynWhere: Stapleton Pier, SI
• 9 am
  USMC Aviation Event
  Where: Clove Lake Park, Staten Island, NY

• 8 am-5 pm
  Free Ship Tours
  Where: Pier 90 & 92, 51st St/West Side Highway
  Where: Stapleton Pier, SI
• 1 pm
  USN Aviation Event
  Where: New Dorp High School, Staten Island, NY

• Ships and service members depart New York City

Photo credit: In this image released by ABC, host Robin Roberts, left, sits with actor Will Smith during “Good Morning America,” broadcast from The U.S.S. Intrepid aircraft carrier, Wednesday, May 23, 2012 kicking off Fleet Week in New York. Smith stars in the film “Men in Black 3 “opening Friday. (AP Photo/ABC, Donna Svennevik).

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