To close out 2008 a fitting phrase for today, Fleet Week. A tradition for the Navy, USMC, and USCG where a ship or unit recently returned home from overseas will dock in a designated city for a week. The ships crew is normally given maximum liberty and the ship or unit is opened for tours to the public.

The very first fleet week started on May 29, 1935 in San Diego California. 114 warships and 400 military planes arrived under command of Admiral Joseph M. Reeves, Commander-in-Chief of the United States Fleet. It was described as the largest fleet ever assembled under the United States flag. It included forty-eight battleships, cruisers and carriers, with more than 3000 commissioned officers and 55,000 enlisted men. That would have been an impressive sight.

The main reason for the 1935 Fleet week was two fold. First of all to show the American public the strength of the US Navy and Marine Corps. Secondly the show our power to the rest of the world, namely Japan and Communist Russia. Fleet Week was held in San Diego for the express purpose as a show of force in the Pacific.

Prior to the 1935 Fleet Week similar celebrations were held for visiting warships in foreign countries. During most of the port visits of the Great White Fleet there was a Fleet Week style celebration. This gave both sailors and civilians a chance to mingle and learn the others culture. Or as most sailors are accused of, getting drunk.

During our visit to Bergen Norway in 1991 we hosted ship visits the entire time we were in port. Each day hundreds of Norwegians visited our ship to see how we lived and to buy hats, pins, and mugs. One young lady even walked away with my personal ships hat. I was such a sucker back then. And keep those comments to yourselves as well!

Fleet Weeks are held routinely in the US at many different non-Navy ports, New York City, Fort Lauderdale, San Francisco, and Seattle to name a few. Each Navy homeport will have what could be called an open house once a year with an Air show and tours, but this normally lasts the weekend. Also at most Navy homeports on weekends selected ships will host ship visits. Civilians are allowed to visit these ships a take a guided tour.

Fleet Week can consist of one ship and an Air show or it can be several ships. At the larger Fleet Weeks the Blue Angels will put on their show. There have even been times when ships from Canada, England, or other countries have been on display. Fleet Week serves a useful purpose, to show the public what they are getting for their tax dollar and to allow the sailors a time to just be regular guys and girls.

This wraps up the WOD for 2008. Because of different reasons I will start off 2009 on January 5. At this time we will get back to basics and learn the ropes. So, if you remember your previous WOD’s, you might have an idea where I am heading. I will also work in some battles into the WOD like I did with Pearl Harbor. And if there is anything you want me to cover in a 2009 WOD let me know. Thank you. Have a Good new year. A hand salute to all of our fighting men and women everywhere in the world and a hardy thank you to all of our readers!