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Generally Speaking: Fleet Week to drop anchor in New York

April 14, 2014 Theodore W. General

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy

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Torpedoed by lasts year’sfederal sequestration, the good news is the Navy has just announced New York Fleet week is back and will get underway starting on May 21.

That means once again we can expect a parade of military ships from the U.S. Navy, Coast Guard and perhaps one or two foreign navy vessels to enter New York harbor steaming under the Verrazano Bridge along the Narrows to Upper New York Bay.

Some of the vessels will be docking on Staten Island and others at the Passenger Ship Terminal in upper Manhattan, and open for visitors. As we write this, the names of the participating vessels have yet to be announced.

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Get ready for the 62nd annual Norwegian-American 17th of May Parade along Third Avenue, on Sunday, May 18, at 1 p.m., commemorating the 200th anniversary of the signing of Norway’s Constitution. This year’s colorful Viking march will feature three bands from the Land of the fjords.

John BernanderOn Saturday afternoon, April 12,members of the committee and from the Norwegian American Association, along with their judges will be assembling in the Arthur Nilsen Banquet Hall at the Norwegian Christian Home, 1250 67th Street, to choose 2014 Miss Norway of Greater New Yorkand Little Miss Norway, who along with their runner-ups will be riding in the parade.

If you want to attend the Norwegian Pageant, reservations are $35 each and available by calling 718-748-1874.The parade committee general chair is Arlene Rutuelo and the parade chair is Alf Rasmussen.

On Saturday, May 10, from 6 to 11 p.m., the 17th of May Committee is also holding a Celebratory Dinner Dance at Sirico’s Caterers, 8015 13th Avenue.The event features live music by Jeanne Eriksson and Sorgasbandet, plus a cocktail hour and sit-down meal. Tickets are $75.00 each and may be obtained by contacting Arlene at 718-748-1874.

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A right smart salute to Inspector Eric RodriguezAlso a toast of the bubbly to former Brooklyn Borough President and State Senator Marty Markowitz, who has just been appointed vice president of borough promotion and engagement by the city’s tourism firm, NYC & Company. The former beep’s new job will have him promoting tourism in ALL the boroughs except Manhattan.

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Bob FurmanGeorge Sproule.

Next month’s speaker on May 7 at Brooklyn Borough Hall will be Bob Kassenbrock * * *

Jimmy Geritano * * *

At the March meeting of the United Military Veterans of Kings County, Parade President Ray Aalbue announced Brooklyn’s Gold Star Mothers will be this year’s grand marshals at the annual Brooklyn Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 26. He also said, they have invited soldiers and personnel at Fort Hamilton to join the parade as deputy grand marshals.Garrison Commander Colonel Eluyn Gines will be the chief reviewing officer.The lead contingent this year will be members of the VFW.