Hey Ladies, Its Fleet Week!

By Kat Ahn on May 20th, 2009

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I was an NYU freshman when I first experienced Fleet Week in New York City where parades of Sailors or my apologies, Seamen walk around the streets of Manhattan in full uniform.  Actually, they are comprised of members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Marine Corps.   This delighted straight females and gay men all across the island of Manhattan and it became something that my friends and I looked forward to every May.  Actually, the next time I do visit New York, I want to go in May to experience all the Fleet Week activities.

This year’s Fleet Week, however, is being scaled back due to the obvious issues with our Economy and will have the “smallest contingent of major American combat ships since the event’s debut 22 years ago.”

“The Navy is saving money, trying to reduce costs,” says Lt. Lesley Lykins, a Navy spokeswoman and the huge festivities that are usually associated with Fleet Week are being scaled down.

But don’t fret if you happen to be in New York and would like to take part in Fleet Week. There are still about 100,000 expected visitors including U.S. Defense Secretary Bob Gates.

And of course, you can ogle at everyone in uniform, of course.

(Photo by CJC4454 on Flickr)