Fleet Week is back the Big Apple.
Members of the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps made their annual entrance to New York City for a week of fanfare and fun leading up to Memorial Day.
A Fleet Week tradition — the US Navy dive tank – has returned once again to the heart of New York’s Times Square.
Navy divers demonstrated their service by donning their scuba gear and bathing in a clear tank, greeting visitors and playing games with children watching.
Fox News Digital spoke with Diver 1st Class Christopher Brewer atop the reservoir, who noted that a diver’s duty is to be an expert in “everything that happens underwater.”
He said: “We dive all over the world. We are rescue experts. We are experts in everything that happens underwater. If they need us to do it, we will do it.”
Brewer, originally from North Pole, Alaskasaid he “always wanted to serve” and do his part.
“I’ve always loved water,” he said. “I was a lifeguard growing up.”
The 10-year-old Navy diver showed what his crew could do on his first trip to New York; he described the meeting with the community as “incredible”.
US Navy diver Christopher Brewer tries on a diving helmet in New York on May 24, 2024, at the start of Fleet Week. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)
Brewer talked about “having everyone walking around and interacting with us – people come and try the helmets.”
He said: “We have the divers here in the middle of Times Square. It’s probably one of the coolest places you can dive… It doesn’t get much better than this.
People from “all over the world” seem “pretty interested” in what it means to be a Navy diver, Brewer said.
“I just like talking to people and hearing their stories and telling them what I do,” he said.
“I’m very excited about this job and passionate about what I do and about serving my community and serving the people that are here. They’re all worth it.”
With global tensions At one summit, Brewer said he hoped some personal military interaction would bring a “sense of belonging” to civilians.
“We are normal people,” he said. “We are going through the same difficult times as them.”
Master Diver and Senior Chief Ryan Ilagan, a rescue diver for 21 years, also shared his excitement for his second Fleet Week.
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“We have Navy divers (and) EOD (explosive ordnance) technicians interacting with the crowd, showing off our capabilities and letting the people of New York know who we are,” California-based Ilagan told Fox News Digital.
The tank demonstration expresses “appreciation” for both military personnel and civilians, Ilagan said.
The annual parade of ships has hosted ships as large as the USS Bataan (LHD-5) from Norfolk, Virginia.
“It’s a great way to show a little fun with a little work,” he said. “This benefits both the civilian population and ourselves.”
Many potential recruits viewed the exhibit and expressed interest in joining U.S. forces, Master Diver reported.
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Brewer also thanked his parents, wife and daughter for the support they gave him during his service. active duty.
Fleet Week kicked off May 22 with the annual Parade of Ships, welcoming major ships such as the USS Bataan (LHD-5) from Norfolk, Virginia, as well as the FGS Baden-Württemberg and the FGS Frankfurt am Main d ‘Germany.
A Memorial Day message is displayed in Times Square on May 24, 2024. (Angelica Stabile/Fox News Digital)
The week continued with a World Trade Center Freedom Run, a reenlistment ceremony and other events.
In addition to a multitude of exciting experiences, Brewer and Ilagan agreed that one of their favorite moments was enjoying New York’s specialties, including bagels and pizza.
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“We went to Joe’s (Pizza) last night,” Brewer said. “It’s amazing pizza. Dave Portnoy, if you’re listening, I give them a 7.8.”
Ilagan added: “The people in New York are wonderful. The food is incredible, the culture, the diversity.”
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