Sailors, Marines Enjoy San Francisco Fleet Week Barbecue Engagement

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Fairbanks, USS Makin Island (LHD 8) Public Affairs

SAN FRANCISCO (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines participating in San Francisco Fleet Week 2010 (SFFW 10) enjoyed a pierside barbecue hosted by the Bay Area Law Enforcement Associations, Alameda County Superior Court Judges, the Oakland Navy League and The Oakland A's Oct. 10.

In honor of their service, the Sailors and embarked Marines were treated to food, drinks and entertainment.

"We did this for the first time 11 years ago, and we've been doing it ever since," said Lou Lozano, president of Oakland Navy League. "It's our way of saying thank you to the troops."

Lozano said he plans to continue this tradition and hopes service members continue to participate in the barbeque in 2011.

"It's great to know we, as service members, have this sort of support and appreciation from the local community," said Yeoman 3rd Class Elijah Ford, from USS Makin Island (LHD 8). "Knowing they support us helps us support and protect them."

Makin Island is serving as the flagship for SFFW 2010, which features more than 3,000 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen. The five-day event showcases the equipment, technology and capabilities of the sea services while highlighting their history within the San Francisco area.

Operated by a crew of more than 1,000 Sailors, Makin Island is a multimission platform that is equipped to meet the needs of the country, from supporting national objectives to providing much needed relief to a disaster area. Makin Island's revolutionary technology is estimated to save the Navy $250 million throughout its 40-year lifecycle and is a model for future ship designs.

This article was sponsored by Police Books.