Generally Speaking: Fort Hamilton to launch Fleet Week 2016

On Wednesday, May 25, with a broadside of friendly cannon fire from the U.S. Army Garrison just below the bluff at Fort Hamilton, Fleet Week and the Parade of Ships will commence with a bang! The custom and tradition of returning the welcoming salute will be fired from the 505-foot amphibious Navy ship, USS Bataan (LHD5), also serving as the flag ship for this year’s maritime review.

An interesting fact about the Bataan — which can hold a complement of 3,200 sailors and Marines — is that she was the first U.S. Navy ship specifically designed to house as many as 450 females.

The parade of ships featuring vessels from the Navy and Coast Guard will start arriving at 11:50 a.m. and will also include Canadian Navy ships.

Also expected to participate in the welcoming ceremonies are the Color Guard from the Fort Hamilton High School Junior ROTC unit, and the brass band from Xaverian High School. Over 1,200 lower grade students from nearby schools have been invited to view the event from the bluff at Fort Hamilton.

* * *By proclamation of President Obama, May 15 was declared National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Over at Fort Hamilton, the Directorate of Emergency Services held a wreath-laying ceremony also to mark Law Enforcement Memorial Week in memory of police officers who have been killed in the line of duty. The emcee for the event was Fort Hamilton Police Chief Robert Baker. Major Tracy Hudgins, the Garrison chaplain, conducted the Invocation, with remarks by Michael Canter, director of emergency services and by Donald Bradshaw, the garrison’s deputy commander.

The wreath — which was purchased by the 68 Precinct Community Council — was presented forward by NYPD Deputy Chief Charles Scholl.

* * *Brooklynite Bill Zucker in a recent letter to the editor of the Daily News had an interesting thought. Rather than eliminate Alexander Hamilton from the $10 bill or Andrew Jackson from the $20, why not create a new denomination, a $25 bill, to add Harriet Tubman.