Ahh, yes......Fleet Week. This one will mark the 17th anniversary of when I put my address on a PenPal board at Bailey-Seton Hospital, Staten Island during a barbecue held for us “lonely” Sailors. I received a post card 2 months later, and after 7 months, arranged to meet my new PenPal, who became Mrs. Shredderman 2 years later!
Homeport was just being finished when my ship (USS Moinester FF-1097)tied up, and the crew took in the sights of The City. Free food, drinks, parties all over and most importantly, free transportation! NYC knows how to treat the Navy well!
And some people say bad things about Sailors! I’ll miss it this year though.
New York City hero Wesley Autrey is being honored by the Navy tomorrow as part of the Fleet Week festivities.
Autrey made headlines when he jumped on the subway tracks at the 137th Street Station and saved the life of a man who had suffered a seizure and fell onto the subway. Autrey used his body as a shield to pin the man between the tracks as the Number One train roared over them.
He will be honored aboard the USS Wasp by Vice Admiral Evan M. Chanik, commander of the Second Fleet.
His heroics have not gone unnoticed. Autrey was invited to this year's State of the Union address in Washington, and was awarded the Bronze Medallion, New York City's highest award for civic achievement.
Donald Trump awarded Autrey 10-thousand dollars. He also received 25-hundred dollars from the New York Film Academy to start a scholarship fund for his children, and he has been given tickets and a backstage tour to the Broadway musical "The Lion King."
More threads on Wesley Autrey:
Extraordinary Ordinary Virtue: The Subway Hero
Man saves teen who fell onto subway tracks in NYC
Man Is Rescued by Stranger on Subway Tracks (Check the pic of his cap!)
Here’s where I’ll be volunteering. If anyone’s around, stop by!
The Moblile Canteen at 72nd St and 5th Ave, Central Park.
For activities in the area, scroll down to “Marine Day Times Square/Central Park.”
Another thing: If walking along 8th Avenue and a man (probably several) offer to buy you a drink, DON’T accept his offer.