Service Members Reenlist at World Trade Center Site During Fleet Week

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class W. B. Swoboda, Fleet Week New York Public Affairs

NEW YORK (NNS) -- Marking a significant milestone in their careers at the most symbolic of places, 12 Sailors and five Coast Guardsmen reenlisted at the site of the World Trade Center on May 26.

The group met inside Gate 7 on the southwest side of Ground Zero, where together they raised their hands and swore to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Coast Guard Vice Adm. Robert Parker, commander, Atlantic Area led a group of five Coast Guardsmen and Rear Adm. Herman Shelanski, commander, Carrier Strike Group 10 led a group of 12 Sailors in reciting their oaths, calling it an opportunity for enlisted service men and women to remind themselves why they serve their country.

"I have done a couple hundred of these, but it's kind of an emotional event here," Parker said. "I can't think of a better place to have yet another restart to what are the fine careers of these folks that are coming up through our services."

The ground zero reenlistment was especially meaningful for Marine Science Technician 2nd Class Heather Clark, who serves aboard U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York from Fayetteville, N.C.

"It is a real honor to reenlist here at ground zero," Clark said. "I originally enlisted in the Coast Guard after 9/11, wanted to join something that is larger than myself and I really wanted to help people."

Service members in town for Fleet Week had the opportunity to reenlist at some of the city's most popular attractions. By far, the World Trade Center site got the biggest response, explained Michael Hurley of the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, who manages the World Trade Center site and said he receives a number of requests to host military promotion and reenlistment ceremonies.

"We had an extremely high level of interest in this location," Hurley said. "So many want to recommit to their service here, at a place significant to all Americans."

After repeating the oath, Engineman 2nd Class Edward Cooper, stationed on board USS John L. Hall (FFG 32), from Anderson, S.C. Had a chance to take in the sights of the construction going on all around and congratulate the other Sailors who had reenlisted alongside him.

"It is an amazing experience, everything that happened here on 9/11 – it's just an amazing feeling it just gives you chills," Cooper said. "Reenlisting here at ground zero is an outstanding feeling, there's nothing like it."

Services are participating in the 24th Fleet Week New York, which takes place May 25 - June 1. Fleet Week has been New York City's celebration of the sea services since 1984. It is an unparalleled opportunity for citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen, as well as see first-hand, all the latest capabilities of today's maritime services.