Weeklong Festivities Concluded Sunday with Military Family Day
San Diego CA— The first fleet week graced the shores of San Diego in 1935 under the direction of President Franklin D. Roosevelt to honor the sacrifice and hard work of America’s military. This past Sunday, the Fleet Week San Diego Foundation carried on this tradition playing host to hundreds of military service members and their families to cap off a weeklong celebration of the sea services at Broadway Pier in downtown San Diego.
Sunday’s festivities included music performed by the Marine Band San Diego, complimentary lunch for military families, games and contests for children, information from nonprofits supporting the military community, and trick-or-treating in the Qualcomm Innovation Zone, where kids and parents had the opportunity to explore some of the latest advances in technology.
“Fleet Week San Diego honors and acknowledges the service of the women and men in our military who are an integral part of the very fabric of the community,” said Jack Ensch, 2018 Fleet Week San Diego President, who is a highly decorated Naval Aviator and former Vietnam Prisoner of War. “I served in a time when this wasn’t really recognized. Our service members’ volunteer at local charities, and do all the other things San Diegans do – and more, their children go to our schools, they attend our churches, and they coach our youth teams. They also deploy for months at a time away from their families to protect our freedoms – often times going into harm’s way to do so.”
Each day, more than 170,000 service men and women serve their country from forward deployed positions around the world. Sailors, Marines, and Coastguardsman from San Diego are among them, doing their part to protect U. S. national security. Ensch and the other members of the San Diego Fleet Week Foundation want to provide the San Diego community with an opportunity to show their appreciation for this dedicated service while also giving community members and visitors the opportunity to learn more about what the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard do to protect the United States.
More than 20,000 people visited Broadway Pier, where they had the opportunity to interact with Marine Corps field combat gear and participate in tours aboard the USS Harpers Ferry and USCGC Mellon. Navy and Coast Guard divers were also on site in an interactive dive tank, as part of the Innovation Zone.
“I just wanted to say thank you so much for organizing the STEM day for the students,” said Cathy Pretonise, a parent of one of the children who visited the Innovation Zone. “Everyone has been raving about the field trip! All the kids had something different that they learned that day.”
Additional Fleet Week San Diego activities held from Oct. 23 – 28 included a tailgating party at the SDSU vs. San Jose State footballs game, an all enlisted golf tournament, an enlisted recognition luncheon, and a pre-game party and concert with a follow on viewing party to celebrate the annual Navy vs. Notre Dame football game.
“It was a wonderful week, and I was honored to be chosen as President for 2018,” Ensch said. “Our Board of Directors and staff were honored to work with so many great supporters to show our appreciation for the devoted service of all of those serving in our military in the San Diego area.
“Fleet Week San Diego honors and acknowledges the service of the women and men in our military who are an integral part of the very fabric of the community,” said Jack Ensch, 2018 Fleet Week San Diego President, who is a highly decorated Naval Aviator and former Vietnam Prisoner of War. “I served in a time when this wasn’t really recognized. Our service members’ volunteer at local charities, and do all the other things San Diegans do – and more, their children go to our schools, they attend our churches, and they coach our youth teams. They also deploy for months at a time away from their families to protect our freedoms – often times going into harm’s way to do so.”
Each day, more than 170,000 service men and women serve their country from forward deployed positions around the world. Sailors, Marines, and Coastguardsman from San Diego are among them, doing their part to protect U. S. national security. Ensch and the other members of the San Diego Fleet Week Foundation want to provide the San Diego community with an opportunity to show their appreciation for this dedicated service while also giving community members and visitors the opportunity to learn more about what the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard do to protect the United States.
More than 20,000 people visited Broadway Pier, where they had the opportunity to interact with Marine Corps field combat gear and participate in tours aboard the USS Harpers Ferry and USCGC Mellon. Navy and Coast Guard divers were also on site in an interactive dive tank, as part of the Innovation Zone.
“I just wanted to say thank you so much for organizing the STEM day for the students,” said Cathy Pretonise, a parent of one of the children who visited the Innovation Zone. “Everyone has been raving about the field trip! All the kids had something different that they learned that day.”
Additional Fleet Week San Diego activities held from Oct. 23 – 28 included a tailgating party at the SDSU vs. San Jose State footballs game, an all enlisted golf tournament, an enlisted recognition luncheon, and a pre-game party and concert with a follow on viewing party to celebrate the annual Navy vs. Notre Dame football game.
“It was a wonderful week, and I was honored to be chosen as President for 2018,” Ensch said. “Our Board of Directors and staff were honored to work with so many great supporters to show our appreciation for the devoted service of all of those serving in our military in the San Diego area.
Fleet Week San Diego Sponsors
- BAE Systems
- BD Medical Technology
- Caliber Collision
- Cubic
- Donovan’s
- EDCO
- General Atomics
- General Dynamics-NASSCO
- Golf Hole Sponsorships
- Healthnet
- Idaho Potato Commission
- Iron Fist Brewing
- JP Morgan
- Kind Bars
- Lincoln Military Housing
- Lockheed Martin
- Luncheon Tables
- National Defense Industrial Association
- Navy Federal Credit Union
- North Island Credit Union
- Northrup Grumann
- Notre Dame Alumni Association
- Patriot Sponsorships
- Pentagon Federal Credit Union
- Port of San Diego
- Port of San Diego Ship Repair Association
- Professional Development Institute
- Qualcomm
- Ramona Ranch Winery
- Sailor Jerry
- San Diego Coast Guard City
- San Diego Gas & Electric
- San Diego Padres
- San Diego Ship Repair
- Seaworld
- Solar Turbines
- Sudberry Properties
- Sycuan Casino
- USAA
- Verizon
- Veterans United
- Vineyard Grant James
- Wells Fargo
- Zero8Hundred
For more information about Fleet Week San Diego visit their web site: www.fleetweeksandiego.org.