Howdy, sailor! Where ya from?

By Legacy User

July 2, 2012

3 minutes to read

There were more than 5,000 members of the US Navy expected in Boston for the 2012 Navy Week, OpSail, and 1812 Bicentennial festivities. Additionally, many members of the Coast Guard as well as several participating foreign navies were there. Meet a few of the sailors who shipped up to Boston.
Senior Chief Petty Officer Anthony Cain of Dover, Del., was in town as part of the War of 1812 bicentennial ceremonies. He described his first time in Boston as “awesome,” and planned to visit the same restaurants where Guy Fieri ate in a Boston-centric episode of the Food Network show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.”
Kim Hansen, a crew member on the Danish support ship HDMS Esbern Snare, had not yet had an opportunity to explore the city, but was looking forward to one special event that he had planned in Boston.

 ”Tomorrow is a Tenacious D concert that a few of us have tickets for that we’re all looking forward to,” he said.
Petty Officers Derek Duncan of Columbus, Ohio, and Erik Diedrich of Evansville, Ind., both serving on the USS Wasp, said they enjoyed a trip to Faneuil Hall and Cheers. They described the city as very nice and very clean – especially compared to New York City, where they had just been for part of Fleet Week.
Fireman E-3 Henry Martin, of Baltimore said he was looking forward to experiencing the diversity of the city. He is serving on the CGC Tahoma.
Leading Seaman Courtney Knowler of Windsor, Ontario, serves as a Naval Combat Information Officer on the HMCS Kingston. She said she loves Boston.

 ”This is my favorite port,” she said. “It’s a good city for biking.”
Coast Guard auxilliary member Andrew Schwalbenberg of South Boston helped give a ship tour to a group of Special Olympics athletes. He said his favorite part of Navy Week so far was a tour of the USCGC Eagle.
Midseaman R. Lopez and Lieutenant J. Sanchez, both of Cartagena, Colombia, and both serving on the tall ship ARC Gloria. Sanchez said he found Boston to be “very cool.”
It was the first visit to Boston for Petty Officer James Robbins of Charlotte, N.C. ”There are a lot of great places to eat and have fun,” said Robbins, who serves on the USS Wasp. “I haven’t been treated with anything other than respect here.”
Ordinary Seaman Colin Soroka of Regina, Saskatchewan, gave tours to guests on the HMCS Kingston.
Emily Baird, from Newark, Del., and serving on the USS Gravely, said she was enjoying Boston. ”We’re having an awesome time!” she said. “The city has been very welcoming!”
Sonar Technician First Class Marcus Stevens, from Roebuck, S.C., was visiting Boston for the first time with crew members from the USS Wasp. He said that, with his Southern accent, he was a bit apprehensive about coming up north at first. ”But the city’s welcomed us with open arms,” said Stevens. “It’s a great American city.”
Seaman Luis Diaz, serving aboard the USCGC Tahoma and from Carolina, Puerto Rico, said the city is great. ”It’s good for having a fun time, and for cycling,” he said. “And, it has good bars.”
On the HDMS Esbern Snare, Sergeant Finn Bertelsen of Fredrikshavn, Denmark, said he found Boston to be relaxed and “very hospitable.” ”Compared to other cities I’ve been to, it is very liberal,” he said.
Petty Officer Ryan Dinda, of Columbus, Ohio, and serving on the USS Wasp, compared Boston to New York City. ”I like it,” he said. “We just got back from Fleet Week in New York City. It’s definitely much nicer and cleaner here.”
Junior Rating Shahrokh Nourouz is a translator and combat information specialist from Tehran who works aboard the HDMS Esbern Snare for the Danish Navy. ”Boston is the best city I’ve been to so far,” he said. “The architecture is very nice here, all of the old buildings from Colonial times.”
Lieutenant Commander Fabio Candido, of Rio de Janiero said he was enjoying the beauty of the harbor on his first visit to Boston. ”I’m looking forward to knowing the city,” he said.