Fleet Week New York

Staten Island Supports Service members During Fleet Week New York, By Samantha L. Quigley, American Forces Press Service

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y., May 30, 2005 – Manhattan may be the hub of Fleet Week, but Staten Island, N.Y., was full of activity as well May 29.

USS Carr (front) and fellow U.S. Navy ships, USS Porter and USS Carr, as well as ships belonging to Canada, France and Pakistan, jam the former homeport at Staten Island, N.Y., during Fleet Week 2005. Photo by Samantha L. Quigley (Click photo for screen-resolution image); high-resolution image available.

Sailors participating in the "Adopt-a-Sailor" program waited at the former naval homeport on Staten Island for their "adopter" to arrive.

A local firefighter and former sailor adopted a group May 28 and took them to his home for a cookout that included the usual hamburgers, hotdogs and steaks. He had a bit of a surprise planned for the sailors though.

The firefighter invited friends and family to join the festivities and thank the sailors for their service.

"It made me feel prouder to be in the service," Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason Bentley said.

Bentley, assigned to the USS Carr, said that support from the American people has really increased since Sept. 11, 2001. He said he sees it in the number of flags flying and especially in the "Support the Troops" magnets found on many vehicles.

"Thank you for all your support," he said. "It doesn't go unnoticed."

Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Phillips, assigned to the USS Porter, praised the support the American people are offering servicemembers.

"(Civilian reaction to Fleet Week) has been absolutely fantastic," he said. "I appreciate the kind words. Thank you."

Phillips said this was his first time participating in the Adopt-a-Sailor program.

"I'm not really sure what to expect," he said. "I'm looking forward to see what they have in store for us."

Joan Hartman, the adopter the sailors were waiting for, agreed there is good support for the troops. She has been participating in the Staten Island Adopt-a-Sailor program ever since she retired eight years ago, she said.

"I decided this was something I had time to do," she said. "Most of the time they just want to sit, relax, watch TV and chill out."

She has had requests to go to a shopping mall or to see the island, too. Hartman said those little things can have a strong impact on morale. She added that she doesn't think many people are in favor of war, but it's important for Americans to support their troops.

Hartman said she is baffled by those who seem eager to offer their support by adopting a sailor and then fail to show up as promised. "I don't understand how people can do that to our young people," she said.

As she spirited a handful of sailors away for a relaxing afternoon off the ship, civilians streamed by to tour the ships docked there. The tours allow civilians to query sailors about different aspects of the ships.

Support of the American people is extremely important, members of the Gridley family said as they completed their tour of the USS Cape St. George, which was docked with the USS Porter and the USS Carr, as well as naval ships from Canada, France and Pakistan.

Will Gridley added that his family looks forward to Fleet Week coming to New York every year.

"They're protecting us," Judy Gridley said. "Shake their hands. They deserve it."

Staten Island is certainly showing their support of the troops with America Supports You posters in the ferry terminal. The posters urge Americans to join the team and support the troops.

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Rolling Thunder Tribute to Veterans

Riders Gather for Rolling Thunder Tribute to Veterans By K.L. Vantrtan American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, May 29, 2005 – The early morning sun glistened off the Vietnam veteran pins on Paul Sirks' blue denim jacket as he waited for the Metro at the New Carrollton, Md., station this morning.

	Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers (front), chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and his wife, Mary Jo, head toward the Pentagon to join thousands of military veterans taking part in Rolling Thunder 2005.

The annual motorcycle rally pays tribute to the nation's fallen and missing servicemembers. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Miles D. Cullen, USAF (Click photo for screen-resolution image); high-resolution image available. .

The 20-year Army veteran, who served in Vietnam during 1965, 1966 and "a little bit of '67," and his friend Diana Plummer, who also sported a blue denim jacket with Vietnam pins and American flags, were on their way to support those riding in the "Rolling Thunder" tribute in Washington.

Sirks and Plummer are members of the Harley Owners Group Chapter in Annapolis, Md. Originally from Ohio, this is the third year Sirks and Plummer have participated in Rolling Thunder, which pays tribute to those killed in Vietnam and remembers those missing from all conflicts. They said they participated in last year's Rolling Thunder but opted to watch from the sidelines this year. Their chapter will have about 400 riding from the Pentagon across the Memorial Bridge to the National Mall's Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

"It feels good to be part of the ride," said Sirks, who voluntarily enlisted in the Army. "There's nothing like it. But, you don't get to see all the bikes."

Plummer said she sees the changes in her friend's face as the day progresses.

"He's lucky to be here," she said, referring to wounds that earned Sirks three Purple Heart medals.

Sirks' eyes teared as he talked about the friendships that combat creates.

"Some came back; some didn't. I'll see them today," he said as he wiped his eyes.

The Army veteran said patriotism is important and that the big story with Rolling Thunder is the people who travel across the country to participate. Each year since the rally was first held in 1988, the number of riders has grown. Last year, an estimated 400,000 motorcycles made the ride.

In preparation for his part in Rolling Thunder, Vietnam veteran Richard "Poncho" Pontious took his motor home from Las Vegas to Ohio and got a "couple of days rest" before heading to Ontario, Calif., to join up with a group that was riding from there. They started their journey May 18 and rode anywhere from 127 to 400 miles a day to reach the rallying point in the Pentagon's North Parking lot.

On days they didn't rack up the mileage, the bikers stopped at schools and told their stories to children. One such stop was in West Virginia. The children, said Pontious, had held events to raise money to pay for the bikers' lunches. "They put on a show (for us)," he added. "It was outstanding. I can't wait to do it again next year."

This year's ride took on a special significance for Pontious. Fellow rider and Vietnam veteran Tom "Ghost" Titus lost his son, Army Spc. Brandon T. Titus of the 10th Mountain Division, last August during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

This ride, said Pontious, was in memory of Brandon. "It's important to not let anyone forget all the men and women who give their lives for the freedoms in this country," added the Purple Heart recipient. "A lot of people paid the maximum and shouldn't be forgotten. There are people who will never know the cost.

"They just don't know," he said as talked about sharing a bunker with someone one minute and having that person gone the next. "We need to work our way to a war-free world," he added as he wiped tears from his eyes.

Although they're not veterans, Barb and Rich Smerkar of Greensburg, Pa., said they strongly support the efforts of Rolling Thunder and that's why they ride.

Barb said they normally don't take their bikes out when it's raining, but they braved a downpour at their home May 27 to get here on time to ride from the Pentagon to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. "It's just that important to us," she added.

"It's important to support the veterans and those serving today and appreciate what they do for us," said Rich. "We take a lot for granted."

"If not for them," added Barb, "we wouldn't be sitting here today."

Biography:Gen. Richard B. Myers, USAF

Isaiah Maas, 3, and his father, Asa Maas, wait for the ride from the Pentagon to the nation's capitol to begin May 29. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Cherie Thurlby, USAF Download screen-resolution Download high-resolution

A mass of motorcycles and people fill the Pentagon's North Parking lot May 29 as hundreds of thousands of riders from throughout the country gather for Rolling Thunder 2005. The annual ride, which began in 1988 pays tribute to those killed in Vietnam and remembers those missing from all conflicts. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Cherie Thurlby, USAF Download screen-resolution Download high-resolution