American Legion Hosts Sailors and Marines for Fleet Week

By By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) J.C.J. Stokes, USS Wasp Public Affairs

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla (NNS) -- Sailors from the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) and Marines assigned to the Marine Expeditionary Unit 26 embarked aboard Wasp attended the second annual American Legion Post 304 dinner in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., April 28 in celebration of Fleet Week Port Everglades.

American Legion Post 304 (Marshall LaBree) offered the event for the first time last year to the visiting USS Iwo Jima and decided to continue it this year by offering it to Wasp Sailors as a sign of appreciation for their service.

"I am glad I came to this dinner. The hospitality and service shown was excellent," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 3rd Class (AW) Eddie Berryhill IV, from Wasp. "This entire week in Ft. Lauderdale has been great, but the American Legion dinner was definitely the highlight of my Fleet Week."

The American Legion staff treated service members to food and camaraderie, entertainment, and special military gifts, as well as a chance to greet three WWII survivors who were witnesses to history.

"It was a humbling experience to see those military legends remaining active and thanking me for my service," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class (AW/SW) Michael Michaud, from Wasp. "All in one night I was able to meet a Marine who survived Iwo Jima, and two Sailors, one from USS Missouri and the other from USS Waldron, who watched the Japanese surrender to the American forces aboard the Missouri. This was definitely a moment in my life I will cherish forever."

William Eckerth, the Iwo Jima survivor; Richard Klug, from USS Missouri; and Albert Trapanese, from USS Waldron (DD 699) came to the event to greet the men and women serving their country as they once did.

"If I died today I've seen it all," said Eckerth. "I just could not pass up the opportunity to come down and spend time with you. Thank you for coming and spending time with us old guys at the Legion and for serving our country."

Wasp is in Port Everglades April 25-30 for Fleet Week which, this year, commemorates the War of 1812 Bicentennial. Overall, there are about 3,000 Sailors and Marines and six ships in attendance. The commemoration is part of a series of city visits by the Navy that will occur over the next three years, and is a salute to all Sailors and Marines who fought gallantly in that conflict, who have served in our nation's conflicts since then, and who are defending freedom around the world today.