MIAMI – Fleet Week activities continued Wednesday at PortMiami with thousands of servicemembers representing the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard and Robert Paul Irvine, an English celebrity chef, joining in the fun.
Local members of law enforcement and community leaders were guests for lunch and dinner. Irvine began his cooking career after enlisting in the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy at 15.
Irvine said the quality of the food in the military has been improving. His message to the public: “Every time you see somebody in uniform, you say ‘Thank you!’ Buy them a cup of coffee. It doesn’t matter, but you say, ‘Thank you!’”
Miami-Dade public high school students who are members of The Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, a federal program, were Fleet Week Mimai guests from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Their itinerary included a 10:30 a.m. enlistment ceremony for aspiring U.S. Navy sailors and marines.
The U.S. Fleet Forces Command was hosting an invitation-only Admiral’s reception. The Wednesday night activities off-ship are at the Tower Theater and include dance and comedy.
Four ships are open to the public during Fleet Week Miami at the port: The Bataan is a USS amphibious assault ship. The Seneca is a USCGS cutter. There are also two USS guided missile cruisers: The Normandy and The Leyte Gulf.
Organizers remind visitors to get their free tickets online. The assigned time will be from 1 to 8 p.m., from Monday to Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The ships close to the public for two-hour breaks from 4 to 6 p.m., from Monday to Friday, and from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Saturdays.
Organizers require ticket-holders to be punctual, carry a government-issued identification with a photograph, and wear closed-toe shoes. The ships are at the port’s terminals E and B.
The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman is anchored two to three miles offshore during Fleet Week but isn’t open to the public.
On Thursday, the Coral Reef Yacht Club in Coconut Grove plans to host military members for a day of fishing and paddle boarding. There will also be three private receptions.
On Friday, the U.S. Southern Command will host a breakfast, Carnival will host a salute to women in the military luncheon, and Miami Marlins will honor guests at LoanDepot Park.
On Saturday, runners will take over Tamiami Park for the Fleet Week 5K at 7:30 a.m., and ZooMiami will host a meetup. Nicklaus Children’s Hospital pediatric patients will visit the USS Bataan.
On Sunday, there will be activities at Lummus Park in South Beach, at the kitchens of the Miami Dade College Miami Culinary Institute, and farewell sunset concerts.
The last chance to visit the Bataan is from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m., on Sunday. For more information about the activities, visit the event’s page.