U.S. Navy Sails In For Fleet Week

America's Armed Forces Have Had Irish Roots Since the Revolution

By John Mooney

It was an offer I couldn't refuse: an overnight stay on a U.S. warship as part of Fleet Week activities.

For the 20th year, the U.S. Navy has showcased the dedication of U.S. servicemen and women during Fleet Week in New York City.

Anchored just south of the Verrazano Bridge, the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) sailed up from Norfolk, VA, and with 1,200 Marines and equipment including tanks, Humvees, artillery, and helicopters aboard. The 844-ft.long, 40,500 ton ship can travel at speeds in excess of 24 knots, exceptional for a vessel of its size.

The Kearsarge's primary function is to support all elements of a Marine landing force by both sea and air. A huge gate at the ship's stern enables high speed landing crafts (LCACs) to swiftly transport personnel and equipment onto beachfronts before the enemy realizes what happened. Utilizing massive high powered fans, the LCACs speed across the surface of the ocean without touching the water at 50 knots or more. Air assaults are conducted by a variety of helicopters and the Osprey, tilt rotor aircraft designed to perform missions like a conventional helicopter but with the long-range, high-speed performance of an airplane.

Heavy rains and poor visibility but the kibosh on the helicopter flight to the ship, so media and USO visitors were transported on a small boat with an armed Coast Guard patrol boat alongside. The approach conjured visions of Star Wars fighters heading into the Death Star as the gate massive gate opened, allowing the visitors to walk a plank and board the huge warship. Captain James Gregorski, Commanding Officer of the USS Kearsarge (and a Roslyn, Long Island native), greeted the guests.

The Kearsarge is longer than two football fields, and the Navy made almost every part of it accessible for visitors. Scott Parker, a blond, 23-year-old sailor built like a fireplug, escorted media through the ship. He pointed out the markings along the flight deck, various types of helicopters, and color coding of the life vests required outdoors after sundown.

"How do I address you," I ask.

"Just call me Parker," said the low-key Mechanicsville, VA, native, one of 10 siblings in a family with a military background. "I wrestled at Montclair State for a year, but college wasn't for me. My parents were both in the military. They told me if I didn't want to go to college, I couldn't stay home and just hang out. I joined the Navy because I like the operations part of it."

The mass communication specialist is responsible for taking photographs and sending them to Navy news staff, the Department of Defense, and the media. He also is a firefighter aboard the ship. During his time on board, Parker has sailed to the Persian Gulf to support the Iraq War and has taken part in a humanitarian effort to bring water to people in Bangladesh.

His enlistment ends later this year, and he has not decided what he plans to do.

Making the rank of E5 (enlisted 5th rank) will have a bearing, it means an $1,100 raise. He'll earn every penny -- and more -- as his days often start before 6:00 a.m. reveille. During Fleet Week he will work late almost every night, but doesn't complain.

Parker wasn't seeking to be featured in the story, but a fellow communications specialist, an affable black sailor named Hawks, gives him up.

"He's Irish. Make him show you his tattoo; he's got a clover on it," he says as the reluctant Parker rolls up his sleeve to display a Celtic knot on his muscular right bicep.

They both will get just two or three hours sleep before more media arrive by helicopter the next morning for the Parade of Ships. For the rest of the week, thousands of civilian visitors will tour the Kearsarge.

Dublin-born Marine becomes U.S. Citizen

Shawn Mercer, a Marine public affairs officer, introduces me to Gunnery Sergeant Chris Farrell, a Dublin native without a trace of an Irish accent. Tall and with a physical build and an intensity one would expect of a drill instructor, he explains that his family came over in 1990, before the Celtic Tiger began its roar. He quickly lost his Dublin accent.

"I got into a lot of fights," he explained in a voice that now has a hint of a southern drawl. "I graduated from John Glenn High School in East Northport and joined the Marines 16 days later."

Since then, he has been a drill instructor at the Marine boot camp at Paris Island, SC, and a gunnery sergeant at Camp Lejeune, NC. He also spent months training the fledgling Iraqi police force in Baghdad.

"We're definitely making a difference, but they are not yet ready to take over themselves. The Iraqis want us there. The little kids are afraid because all the gear is intimidating, but the older children are friendly. They always want chocolate or anything we might have for them," explained Farrell, who passed his U.S. citizenship test just a month ago.

"The adults are appreciative. They offer food or water or tea. If we leave now, it might all fall apart," said Farrell, a 14-year veteran who sports three tattoos: a Claddagh, a shamrock with the tricolor, and shamrock on his ankle that says Mom.

"I want people to know about the sacrifices Marines make. They leave the comfort of home and go into harm's way voluntarily. Iraq is a dangerous place. It's admirable for a 19-year-old to do that; he looks at it as more than just a job," adds the 32-year-old Farrell, who has been married for 10 years and has three daughters. "Leaving my family is the toughest part. I'm going back in two or three months."

"I wanted to do something to earn the right to be an American"

Caleb Hayes of DuBois, PA, joined the Marines on his birthday, Sept. 11, in 2005, because he felt a desire to give something back.

"I love this country. I wanted to do something to earn the right to be an American," said Hayes, who has a neon smile and was stationed in Iraq for 13 months.

Hayes, like many of the Marines I met, feels it is unfortunate that the public doesn't believe the U.S. should be there.

"I was on the security team in Fallujah. When I first got there, you got shot at. Today you can walk down the street without a flak jacket," Hayes explained. "They're rebuilding, but the people still need us. No matter who wins the Presidency, leaving immediately would be a big mistake."

A Taste of Military Life

Media are stationed in officers' quarters. There are two bunk beds, and I take the top bunk for the first time since college 20 years ago. It's tight, but compared to where the Marines sleep in long rows stacked 4 bunks high, it is luxurious. I wake up several times banging my feet on the bottom of the bunk and think, "If I'm only 5 ft. 10", how does a 6 ft. 2" Marine fit?"

Level 2 is not far from the flight deck, which means the chain rattling and roar I hear at 5 a.m. are helicopters landing and being chained to the ship. The lights turn on automatically at 6, but I've already been up because of the noise and the thrill of the experience.

After breakfast, Parker brings us up to the crow's nest to view the flight deck from above. The view of the Verrazano and New York Harbor is spectacular from the high vantage point. We also make are way to the very depths of the ship. The boiler room fires up water to make the steam that powers the ship. It's hot and many decks below sunlight, and I wonder who would want that job. In fact, the realization hits that the Kearsarge is indeed a floating city with its own mini economy with executives, restaurant workers, doctors, firefighters, mechanics, pilots and p.r. people.

Parade of Ships

U.S. and Canadian vessels join the 2008 Parade of Ships, kicking off Fleet Week. The Kearsarge has the honor of sailing last. Marines and sailors line up alternately and stand at attention as the other vessels pass. The highlight will be passing the Statue of Liberty. It's an impressive site on a glorious sunny day.

As the ship sails up the Hudson, the Marines are ready to take Manhattan. Many have never been to New York before and are ready to party and visit sights such as the Empire State Building and Ground Zero.

Among those looking forward to the visit is Second Lt. Charlie Shaw, a 23-year-old Columbus, OH, native. A college graduate, he said joining the Marines was something he had to do. Unlike some of the servicemen who joined because of rough economic situations, he strikes me as a young man who would have no problem finding a job - probably be an Abercrombie & Fitch model if he wanted to be one.

"I grew up playing baseball and football. This country means a lot to me. So I decided to be an officer candidate. It was right for me," he says as he readies to stand at attention.

Later at lunch, I don't initially recognize him because his hat is off and dress uniforms don't have the names on them.

"You said you're writing for an Irish paper... my family comes from an Irish and Scottish background, " he says, pointing to his chest.

It's enough to get him in the story and an honor to include him. The U.S. Navy uses Fleet Week as a chance to showcase it best. They did a fine job.