Writing about Fleet Week

This week I had to write an article based on observations, personality of a character and news. It was an interesting experience. I changed my topic a couple of times but ended up with a topic I really enjoyed. I also found out that I could write an article based on observation and internet research and get it done in less than eight hours.

I chose to write about a group of sailors I saw outside of the Empire State Building this morning. There was something special seeing them standing there all dressed in white. For me there was such a feel of purity about them especially in contrast to the busy and sometimes dark world around them.

This week is Fleet Week in NYC. Actually I didn't really understand what Fleet Week was about until I saw the sailors and started doing research on the internet about them. For the next week, about 4,000 sailor and 5 American ships as well as 2 Canadian ships will be in NYC. There is a "parade" of ships as well as demonstrations of technique and equipment by the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard. There is also a special commemoration service on Memorial Day.

There was something special about seeing the sailors. My dad was a soldier when he was young and served in Vietnam. He has often told me how important it is to respect and appreciate those defending our country even if we don't believe in the war that they are fighting. He told me how hard it was to think that he had put his life on the line for a cause and for the American government only to return home and find that no one appreciated what he had done. The war wasn't his decision and even fighting in it wasn't his decision but he had done as he was told by the government.

I know so many people resent the war on terrorism, believing that it is wrong. However, I'm very encouraged by the support given to the soldier and sailors forced to fight. I'm so grateful that there are events like Fleet Week which give us as Americans the chance to say "thank you" to those sacrificing their lives for this country.