Electricians Mate 1st class Stephanie Brunk attached to Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) speaks with a veteran at the Alexander Ninninger Veterans home in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. This year marks the 32nd Port Everglades Fleet Week. Fleet Week has been hosted by Broward Navy Days and other military support organizations since 1990.
History of Broward Navy Days, Inc.
Incorporated in 1990, Broward Navy Days, Inc. (BND), was formed under the leadership of Captain Jean Fitzgerald, USN (Ret.), to host an annual Fleet Week celebration at Port Everglades.
In 2001, Broward Navy Days merged the Fleet Week celebration with the McDonald’s Air & Sea Show and benefited from the professional management of the MDM Group, Ltd. & Pro-Series, Inc. for seven years. The Fleet Week Celebration was known as Fleet Week USA. In 2008 after the Air & Sea Show was discontinued, it reverted to Fleet Week Port Everglades, planned and hosted by BND. Fleet Week Port Everglades remains the signature event for BND each spring, but the organization is equally committed to actively supporting our seagoing services year-round.
Supporting the Seagoing Services Year-round
The organization plans welcoming events and shore leave activities for visiting Navy and Coast Guard ships periodically throughout the year and supports the activities of the U.S. Navy Southern Command and Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale. Broward Navy Days also participates in the commissioning ceremonies of new Navy ships and Coast Guard cutters in South Florida and the change of command ceremonies for the local Navy and Coast Guard commands.
Annual Events and Ceremonies
One of the most moving annual events is the Pearl Harbor memorial service held at Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale. As the number of survivors continues to dwindle, Broward Navy Days is dedicated to preserving the memory of the infamous attack that catapulted the United States into World War II.
Honorable Advisory Board
Today, 30 years after its founding, the Broward Navy Days organization has gained a highly respected reputation among our sea going services for being a good friend of the “White Hats.” The organization’s Honorable Advisory Board includes distinguished Navy and Coast Guard officials, such as ADM John C. Harvey, Jr., USN (Ret), and CMDR Kirk Lippold, USN (Ret), the former Commander of the USS Cole.
Key takeaways:
Broward Navy Days is a non-profit organization that has been hosting Fleet Week at Port Everglades since 1990.
The organization supports seagoing services year-round by planning welcoming events and shore leave activities.
They participate in commissioning and change of command ceremonies, as well as the annual Pearl Harbor memorial service.
Broward Navy Days is dedicated to preserving the memory of the infamous attack that catapulted the United States into World War II.
The organization has gained a highly respected reputation among seagoing services for being a good friend of the “White Hats.”
The Honorable Advisory Board includes distinguished Navy and Coast Guard officials.
Conclusion:
Broward Navy Days has been honoring the seagoing services for over 30 years through their annual Fleet Week celebration at Port Everglades and their support of visiting Navy and Coast Guard ships year-round. Their dedication to preserving the memory of Pearl Harbor and participating in commissioning and change of command ceremonies has earned them a highly respected reputation among seagoing services. As Americans, we should take pride in supporting organizations like Broward Navy Days that honor and support those who serve our country.
Facts:
- The Broward Navy Days organization was formed in 1990 by Captain Jean Fitzgerald, USN (Ret.).
- Fleet Week was merged with the McDonald’s Air & Sea Show in 2001 and known as Fleet Week USA until 2008.
- Broward Navy Days participates in the commissioning ceremonies of new Navy ships and Coast Guard cutters in South Florida.