Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg today welcomed members of the US Navy, US Marine Corps and US Coast Guard to New York City’s 19th Annual Fleet Week Celebration in a ceremony in the Governor’s room at City Hall.  Fleet Week this year will run from May 24th until May 31st.  During this week, thousands of military service men and women come to New York, and this year, 11 ships have docked at various piers around the City.  In addition to Fleet Week activities planned citywide, the Mayor also announced the launch of the first Fleet Week Job, Education and Information Fair for military veterans and service members. The job fair, being held today at the Emigrant Savings Bank Building in lower Manhattan, will include more than 45 potential employers, including many City agencies such as the New York City Police and Fire Department.

“Fleet Week is always a special time for our City,” said Mayor Bloomberg.  “It is our opportunity to express our gratitude for service men and women throughout the country, and for the 8,000 New Yorkers who have served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.   With the launch of the first-ever Fleet Week Job, Education, and Information Fair, we are making sure that the freedoms and opportunities that our armed service personnel are fighting to protect are waiting for them when they return to their home.  We hope that many of them will pursue their dreams right here and contribute to the growth and prosperity of our great City.” 

“New York City is honored to be celebrating the 19th Annual Fleet Week,” said Mayor’s Office of Veterans’ Affairs Executive Director Clarice Joynes.  “We are hosting the Fleet Week 2006 Veterans & Service members Job, Education, & Information Fair, so members of the Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard can learn about their benefits and seek job opportunities.  We hope that these visiting service members have the chance to see all that New York City has to offer.”

The Fleet Week Job Fair gives veterans and service members an opportunity to receive information on jobs, benefits, & education available through various programs offered by city agencies.  The Mayor’s Office of Veterans’ Affairs works to assist veterans and returning service members in assessing their needs in housing, employment and healthcare and connecting them with helpful resources at the City, State and Federal levels.

New York City is home to more than 11,000 members of the U.S. Military, National Guard and Reserve, and more than 310,000 veterans.  Since September 11, 2001, more than 1,600 New York City employees and approximately 8,000 New York City residents have been called to active duty in support of US military operations around the world. There are more than 1,900 New York City residents who are active duty, reservists, and National Guardsmen serving in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Fleet Week 2006 is the City’s premier salute to the sea services.  This year’s fleet of ships features the USS Kearsarge, USS Anzio, USS Ramage, USCGC Spencer, USCGC Sturgeon Bay, USS Mason, USS Shreveport, USS San Antonio, USS Nitze, the USS Klakring as well as the HMS Scott from the British Royal Navy. As a part of the City’s official welcome of the military, Mayor Bloomberg today presented Flag Officers with crystal apples and the ship commanding officers with silver cuff links. Each commanding officer in return presented the Mayor with challenge coins from their respective vessels.

Participating ships will be moored at Manhattan’s Pier 88 and Staten Island’s Stapleton Pier. For more information please visit www.nyc.gov or visit the Navy’s Fleet Week Web site at www.fleetweek.navy.mil.