Today in school we were doing a simulation of Cold War and Cuban Missle Crisis. We broke up into 3 groups, 3 different seperate planets. In each group there were 3 more groups, 3 countries on this planet. Each country had a certain amount of “Ray Guns” (nuclear weapons) and soldiers, and we all had to figure out peace from other factors. Two of the groups survived and made a peaceful resolution (we destroyed the ray guns). The mistake in the third group, though was putting Solon, Henry, and Jon together… Lets just say that they aren’t exactly breathing fresh un-polluted air right now.
Anyway, while we’re sitting there talking about Ray Guns and attacking other countries and war, a very deep, low, and loud sound is heard, and it starts to get louder. It’s a plane going by. No, 5 planes. Fighter planes. Going by fast. And low. Very low. Over Manhattan, in New York City. In the “post-9/11″ world. I only got a fleeting (no pun intended) glance at the planes before they disappeared behind some buildings. Everyone looks at each other. A few moments later another larger plane goes by. I’m no military aircraft expert, but it looks like some kind of cargo plane. World War II? It’s old-fashion style lightens my anxiety a bit, just an air show. But over Manhattan??? Greg (the student teacher) then suddenly remembers that it’s Fleet Week, and we have nothing to worry about, and that nothing’s going on, and that they’re flying over the Hudson River. I ask him that if he’s wrong if he’ll give us $5 each. Wow. He said yes. So everyone goes back to work. Throught the next hour and a half or so more planes go by, pretty exciting. And Greg was right. My mom explains it as “A bunch of sailors coming the New York City and getting drunk.” I wonder if you can get arrested for drunk flying like you can for drunk driving… My mom had a pretty big fright also. She heard them and immediatly ran to the T.V. thinking they would crash into the Empire State Building.
So yeah, fun experience. I wish that I had had my camera, pretty cool videos of those planes going by. It could of been featured on the YouTube home page.
It looks like a lot of New York also got a little scare from the whole Fleet Week thing. (Picture from Gothamist by Mark Lennihan/AP)
I think it was dumb for the military to fly over the City on Fleet Week. As you may know one of the ultimate oxymorons (a contradiction in terms) is “Military Intelligence”.
On the other hand, I spent 3 years, nine months, 16 days, 17 hours and 32nd seconds in the U.S. Navy. And so I know something about lonely sailors on liberty.They don’t all get drunk. And they should be commended and honored for their service to our country. Salute them when they go by. They are keeping you safe.
Grandpa
One other comment on Fleet Week. Please see Page A-19 in the New York Times today ( May 30) for a story about sailors in NYC and what they do when they are on liberty during Fleet Week in the Big Apple. They don’t get drunk.
But if you have some pocket change, buy ‘em a beer.They are one of the reasons you are free to express your thoughts on your blog.
Anchors Away!
Grandpa