Brooklyn is ready to embrace the 28th annual Fleet Week

For the 28th year, Brooklyn is ready to welcome and celebrate the dedication of thousands of United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard service members during Fleet Week.

From Wednesday, May 25 through Tuesday, May 31, an estimated 4,500 Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen will make their way to the tri-state area to participate in a series of events, launched by the arrival of 11 ships into New York harbor. The week-long celebration has been held nearly every year since 1984.

Brooklyn will be the host of many free activities and events throughout the week.

It all kicks off on Wednesday, May 25 as the Parade of Ships takes place. Early morning, students will be at Fort Hamilton for a bird’s eye view of the arriving ships as they steam through the Narrows, but they won’t be the only ones. All along the shore, eager residents claim places to watch the awe-inspiring spectacle.

“We’re really excited about a lot of things with Fleet Week,” said Memorial Day Parade Chairperson Raymond Aalbue. “Having the chance to salute the ships at Fort Hamilton is really a great opportunity for a lot of young people from city schools to experience the Navy ships coming through the harbor and under the Verrazano Bridge.”

From Thursday, May 26 through Monday, May 30, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., there will be tours of three ships, the USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), and USCGC Forward (WMEC 911) docked at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in Red Hook.

Several Read Aloud programs at public libraries — including Sunset Park, Sheepshead Bay and Dyker Heights –will also take place throughout the week, featuring a special reading with a sea service member.

VFW Post#5195 will host a Street Party on Saturday, May 28 in front of 325 Van Brunt Street in Red Hook, where a wreath laying ceremony will also take place.

On Sunday, May 29, the Greenpoint Veterans Memorial Parade will take place, kicking off from 519 Leonard Street at 9 a.m.  Service members will participate in the annual parade hosted by American Legion Post #1771.

Then at 11 a.m. at the Brooklyn War Memorial, 195 Cadman Plaza West, Brooklyn War Memorial Honors 2016 will honor living New York World War II veterans and conduct a wreath laying in memory of those who have died. Brooklyn lost 11,500 soldiers during WWII.

Then on Monday, May 30, many of the troops in town for Fleet Week will also take part in the 149th Kings County Memorial Day Parade, beginning at Bay Ridge Parkway and Third Avenue at 11 a.m.

“We always have Fleet Week sailors and Marines march in parade,” said Aalbue. “Everyone who comes out to watch appreciates having active duty military march in the parade.”

For more information on the Fleet Week schedule, visit www.fleetweeknewyork.com.