PHILADELPHIA — PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A procession of ships flowed up and down the Delaware River next to Philadelphia on Thursday to begin a march to celebrate On the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the birth of the US Navy and Marine Corps.
Among the ships that participated were the USS Lassen, the USS Billings, and the USS Cooperstown. A military flyover accompanied the fleet.
Thousands of people are expected to attend the boat parade and other anniversary-related events over the next few days, including a veterans reunion, a parade through the downtown streets and a concert featuring singer Patti LaBelle, the Navy Band and the U.S. Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps Band.
Organizers said that other celebrations are expected to be held at military bases around the world.
Events marking the creation of the Navy and Marine Corps in 1775 continued despite a government shutdown that closed many federal agencies and offices. The Navy press office did not immediately respond to an email Thursday asking whether any ceremonies had been scaled back due to the closure.
Vice Adm. John Gumbleton, speaking on the Delaware River waterfront alongside Philadelphia Mayor Cheryl Parker, the governors of Pennsylvania and New Jersey and others, said the celebration also marks the beginning of the nation’s holiday. Half a century Next year.
He encouraged civilians to reach out to active and retired military personnel visiting Philadelphia and ask them about their service.
“For every missile that destroys a threat, for every jet that is launched, for every steam engine that is powered, none of this happens without a sailor behind it,” Gambelton said.
“The ships are great, the planes are great, everything looks great, but it’s the people – those sailors, those Marines who get things done,” he said.