NEW ORLEANS -- Uniforms sharply ironed, shoes shined to a bright sheen and ribbons meticulously aligned, the Marines and Sailors of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit manned the rails of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp beside the ship’s crew as the Wasp neared New Orleans along the Mississippi River April 23, 2015, for Navy Week 2015.
Freighters blew their horns in salute to the large military vessel, cruise ship passengers cheered, whistled and applauded the Service members in passing, and a crowd jubilantly awaited the ship at the pier. A steam boat even whistled the "Marines’ Hymn" and "Anchors Aweigh" as the ship sailed by.
“Based on when we were coming in, based on the crowds – I didn’t know people thought of us like that,” said Lance Cpl. Sarah Ziady, 22nd MEU intelligence analyst. “I didn’t think we’d get that kind of reaction. It really made me proud to be a Marine. It made me excited for the rest of the week.”
Throughout the week, the Marines and Sailors are slated to participate in numerous community outreach events, to include fishing, table tennis and soccer competitions, and several community enrichment projects, such as home construction and park cleanups.
Additionally, the Wasp will be open to the public for free tours, which include displays for various weapons systems, tactical vehicles and aircraft.
The ship will depart April 29 for Port Everglades, Fla., where the Marines and Sailors will participate in Fleet Week 2015 from May 4-10.