Sailors, Marines Featured on Today Show

MC2 Ricky Allen - Navy News

NEW YORK - Sailors from USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit competed in a friendly game of tug-of-war live on NBC's Today Show, May 23.

Sailors and Marines took pictures with the audience and waved into the camera hoping that family members would catch a glimpse of them live on national television.

"We love Fleet Week," said Lester Holt, anchor and host of the weekend edition of 'Today,' and for 'NBC Nightly News.' The audience really loves having the Sailors and Marines come by. It's kind of fun to see them kicking it up with us, having a little fun here in the plaza, so it's a week-long festival for all of us when you guys sail into town."

Capt. Jeffrey Amick, Iwo Jima's commanding officer, was also on hand for the event and helped referee the event. Afterwards he said that he was glad both Sailors and Marines had a good time.

"I thought today was awesome," said Amick. "I think the tug-of-war was quite an exciting event, but at the end of the day, I'm glad the Navy and Marine Corps are all on the same team."

Visiting TV shows are a few of many events more than 3,000 Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen participate in during this year's 22nd commemoration of Fleet Week New York.

"Fleet week is great," said Amick. "It's just a great opportunity for all these Sailors and Marines to come and visit the beautiful city of New York. I think the citizens of New York are really taking on a wonderful opportunity to see all the Sailors and Marines, and come and see the ships. It's been a great experience."

Amick also said, "The New Yorkers are great. They take good care of us. Everyone wants to thank us for our service. I just want to thank them for taking such good care of us while we're here."

For Marine Lance Cpl. Bryan Leonard of Oxford, Mass. who serves with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, the feeling is the same. "I've enjoyed it. Fleet Week has been amazing so far, and I still have a couple of days left."

"It's fun being on TV," said Airman (AW) Austin Ulas of Frankfort, Ill., who serves on board Iwo Jima. "I'm from a small little town in Illinois. This is my first time in New York and I'm enjoying myself."

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