Rose Festival 2010 Fleet Week Concludes

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW) Maebel Tinoko, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Northwest

June 8, 2010 - PORTLAND, Ore. (NNS) -- The 103rd annual Rose Festival's Fleet Week came to a close June 7, when the two U.S. Navy vessels who participated in this year's Rose Festival sailed out from the Tom McCall Waterfront Parks in downtown Portland.

The guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102) and the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52) along with a Royal Canadian Navy ship and six U.S. Coast Guard cutters, departed Portland in the early morning.

During the four-day port visit, Sailors participated in community relations projects, visited the local hospital, participated in various sporting events and helped host ship tours.

For Tigard, Ore., native Martha Sampson, seeing the Navy was the highlight of this year's Rose Festival.

"I love the Navy; My father served in the Navy, so when the ships come into town my family and I always come out to see them," said Sampson. "I love the Navy traditions, and it's fabulous to be able to tour the ships."

Sailors enjoyed discounts at various venues, a waterfront carnival, free tours around town and the Starlight parade and 5K run.

For one Portland native, Operation's Specialist 3rd Class Bradley Carignan, USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), returning to his hometown with the ship was his favorite part of the Rose Festival.

"Two years ago I toured the USS Bunker Hill, and it's a coincidence that I got stationed on the same ship," said Carignan. "I loved being back home and being able to show my friend and family what I do in the Navy."