Ship parade kicks off events celebrating 250 years of the US Navy and Marine Corps
A ship parade streamed up and down the Delaware River beside Philadelphia on Thursday to kick off a celebration of the 250th birthdays of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
Among the ships that took part were the USS Lassen, the USS Billings and the USS Cooperstown. A military flyover accompanied the flotilla.
Thousands of people were expected to attend the boat parade and other anniversary-linked events over the next few days, including a reunion of veterans, a downtown street parade and a concert featuring singer Patti LaBelle, the Navy band and the Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps.
Other celebrations were expected to take place on military bases around the world, organizers said.
The events marking the 1775 creation of the Navy and Marine Corps proceeded despite the government shutdown that has closed many federal agencies and offices. The Navy press office did not immediately respond to a Thursday email asking if any festivities had been curtailed because of the shutdown.
Vice Admiral John Gumbleton, speaking at the Delaware River waterfront along with Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker, the governors of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and others, said the celebration also marks the start of the nation’s semiquincentennial next year.
Gov. Josh Shapiro, (D) Pennsylvania:
“I'm very proud of the fact that here in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in this city, that this is where America's Navy and Marine Corps began, established to secure the blessings of liberty for our new nation and our people. And over the last 250 years, the US Navy and US Marines, well, they have defended that hard-won freedom and democracy here at home and around the world.”
Lt. Gen. Bobbi Shea, United States Marines:
“Now, one of the warships that you're about to see in the parade today is the USS Arlington. It's an amphibious warship. And from the outside, it might be difficult to distinguish from other ships in our tremendous United States Navy. But unique to this warship, as well as other amphibious warships are the hundreds of Marines that it carries. Amphibious warships and the Marines they carry provide our nation forward deployed, flexible sea-based force that provides credible deterrence and can respond within hours of receipt of mission. What does that mean? It means that you can sleep easy at night, knowing that when America calls 911, a Marine will answer. and will fight for you and will win.”
Vice Adm. John Gumbleton, United States Navy:
“There's no greater projection of American pride, American power, and naval dominance quite like what you're about to see. And it's most certainly a fitting kickoff to a celebration that marks two and a half centuries of the Navy's critical role in securing freedom and projecting power worldwide, from the Revolutionary War to modern day conflicts. Today, we continue this proud legacy by patrolling international waters, ensuring safe trade routes, and responding to crises whenever needed. Your Navy will always be America's away team, a mobile fighting force on watch around the world 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, deterring conflicts before they start.”