Sea Services Bid Farewell to Fleet Week Port Everglades

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sunday Williams, Navy Region Southeast Public Affairs

PORT EVERGLADES, Fla. (NNS) -- Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen bid farewell May 1 to the 21st annual Fleet Week Port Everglades, Fla.

Vice Adm. Daniel P. Holloway, commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet and director, Combined Joint Operations from the Sea Centre of Excellence, said South Florida extended the finest hospitality he has seen in his career.

"I first arrived to Fort Lauderdale from the sea as an ensign in 1979. I can tell you that our Sailors still enjoy the best port call, liberty, community relation support and hospitality I have experienced over the last 32 years," said Holloway. "The spirit of excellence and enduring support for our seas services displayed at all levels this week are a living tribute to Joe Millsaps who always inspired others to raise the bar, making Fleet Week Port Everglades one of the best ever! I am so grateful for this strong support to America's finest."

Fleet Week Port Everglades provides an opportunity for citizens of South Florida to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness first-hand the latest capabilities of today's modern Navy and maritime services.

"I love that our community does this every year," said Mary Braddock, a resident of Hollywood, Fla. "My husband and I meet service members every year and bring them into our home for dinner because we just love them all so much for what they do. As old as we are at 70, the best way we can honor them is through our support and bringing them into our home like family."

Service members participated in many community events during fleet week, to include the annual All Hands on Deck Welcoming Party at Seminole Hard Rock and Casino, the damage control olympics, blood drives, school visits, hospital visits, not-for-profit community relations projects, Fleet Week Galley Wars and many other receptions and events throughout the week.

"This was a lot of fun, and I am really thankful for the things that I got to experience during this fleet week," said Electrical Technician 1st Class (SW) Alvin Larkins, from USS Ross (DDG 71). "South Florida really knows how to show us a good time."

Fleet Week Port Everglades featured four U.S. Navy ships, a submarine dock-side and 6 additional U.S. sea-going commands with more than 2,500 Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen.

"It is always such an honor to have the military here," said Mary Anne Grey, chairwoman for Broward Navy Days. "We always have so much fun and enjoy the time with everyone. It really is great to be able to show these men and women who do so much for our country the appreciation that they deserve."

Fleet Week Port Everglades 2011 was hosted by Broward Navy Days and Humana Military Healthcare Services.

Joe Millsaps, longtime Fort Lauderdale resident and one of South Florida's biggest supporters of the U.S. Navy, helped found Broward Navy Days and served as president and chairman of the board. Broward Navy Days organizes the annual fleet week celebration that brings Sailors and naval ships to Fort Lauderdale every spring. Millsaps passed away last year at the age of 70; Fleet Week Port Everglades 2011 was dedicated to him.