Fleet Week Hosts Luncheon for Enlisted Service Members

By Story by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joe Bishop, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The San Diego Fleet Week Foundation hosted an Enlisted Recognition Luncheon at SeaWorld for service members from commands in the San Diego region, Sept. 18.

"Fleet Week recognizes some of our top-performing enlisted Sailors here in San Diego," said Navy Region Southwest Regional Master Chief David Dearie. "That's what Fleet Week is about - celebrating the Navy - and this luncheon recognizes the brilliant performance of all our military."

Many sponsors attended the luncheon and raffled prizes ranging from an autographed Antonio Gates Chargers jersey to a free round of golf at the Admiral Baker Golf Course.

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"The ability to support and sponsor this event for Fleet Week and do something that really gives back to the service men and women gives us pride and satisfaction," said David Koontz, director of Communications at Sea World. "There are many employees of Sea World who are former Navy and Marines. It's something that really hits home."

The Fleet Week Foundation handed out tickets to a San Diego Padres game as well as a San Diego State University Aztec game for each service member in attendance.

"It takes a lot of work and coordination to put something like this together," said Quartermaster 1st Class Brandon Pockell, assigned to USS Boxer (LHD 4). "We truly feel honored by the recognition."