Navy Ships Arrive in Portland for 104th Annual Rose Festival

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Nathan Lockwood, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West Det. Northwest

PORTLAND, Ore. (NNS) -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57), and Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigates USS Ingraham (FFG 61) and USS McClusky (FFG 41) arrived in Portland, Ore. to celebrate the 104th annual Rose Festival, June 9.

Throughout the week, Sailors will have an opportunity to enjoy premier events of the festival including the Rose Festival Golf Tournament and Rose Parade, live music, food, entertainment and various sports competitions among ships.

"I'm excited to be here 'cause the people here are nice and really like the military," said Fire Controlman 2nd Class (SW) Steven Santillanes, stationed aboard USS Lake Champlain. "It's a positive event because people get to experience the Navy up close and personal."

The Portland visit offers the public an opportunity to tour the ships and meet Sailors as they showcase their ship's capabilities.

"It is very different to see something that you don't see a lot of from where I'm from," said Mark Gilchrist, of Longview, Wash. who embarked aboard Lake Champlain on the ship's transit into Portland. "I think it puts a real personal touch on the Navy. I got to talk to the crew members, and I brought some young ones that had a chance to see what it was like and if the Navy was something they would be interested in."

In addition to the three U.S. Navy ships, ships from U.S. Coast Guard, the Canadian Maritime Forces and the Army Corps of Engineers are also participating in Fleet Week.

Navy warships have been coming to the City of Roses since USS Charleston's visit in 1907 and are considered a highlight of the festival.