A Happy Memorial Day to all.  This story is a little late due to pictures being uploaded and a lack of access to a computer.

I was lucky enough to be a part of Fleet Week 2009 NYC this year.  For Fleet Week a few hundred Marines jump on a few USNavy ships and head up to Manhattan NYC ports next to the U.S.S. Intrepid.  Once there we allow the general public to tour parts of the ships (such as the U.S.S. Iwo Jima) and check out some of the Marine and Navy equipment.  Everyday for a week we spent showing the people of NY and anyone who came to visit our weapons, gear, and some of our vehicles.  The Navy showed off some of their gear for the ship, and both services showed off some of the helicopter aircraft.  From the looks on people's faces, everyone had a good time.

Fleet Week is not just a time to have fun though.  The real purpose is to show what kind of sacrifice we as service members make to keep this country free.  During the week service men and women from all the branch's participated in a wreath laying ceremony at Ground Zero.

During my time I went and visited a few of the local house's in Manhattan.  I got a chance to go into Engine 74's house near 82nd and Amsterdamn.  Upon ringing the door bell, I was greeted by a Firefighter with "US MARINES" tattooed on his forearm and knew right away I came to the right house.  The guys on duty that night were great, offering up some of their dinner and coffee to myself and fellow Marine who is a FF at Blue Knob, Pennsylvania.  It was brought to my attention that one of their own was killed on 9/11.  That man was also a Marine before serving in the FDNY, so I consider him one of my brothers twice over.  I only hope that people see the sacrifices that everyone makes, whether its keeping this country free, or its keeping the people of their community safe.