More than 800 Sailors and Marines departed Manhattan aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) on their way home to Norfolk, Va., at the conclusion of Fleet Week New York (FWNY) 2018, May 29.

During their six days in port, Arlington service members interacted with the community, hosted two receptions onboard, conducted tours of the ship for the general public, and participated in more than 160 events throughout the city of New York.

"This was a wonderful experience for the Sailors and Marines aboard Arlington," said Command Master Chief Charles Eakley, a native of New York City. "There were smiles throughout the week and it was clear that this was a positive experience for everyone involved. Our Sailors represented the Navy and Arlington well and showed the citizens of New York the caliber of the men and women protecting this country."

In total, Arlington hosted an estimated 30,000 visitors, including the Mayor of New York City, Bill de Blasio.

Arlington Sailors said they were proud to interact with the citizens of New York and give back to the city that showed them such a warm welcome.

"Fleet Week was amazing," said Ship's Serviceman 2nd Class Kenneth Johnson, one of the Sailors assigned to Arlington and a member of the ship's color guard. "I was able to experience things I thought I would never see. It was an honor to represent the Navy and the Arlington, especially as a member of the color guard and parading the colors at a Yankees game. We really felt welcome and appreciated."

Many Sailors also were given the opportunity to reenlist at the National September 11 Memorial Museum built on the site of the World Trade Center terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

"Reenlisting at the site of the attacks on 9/11 was one of the highlights of my naval career," said Chief Damage Controlman Anthony Cardello, Arlington's Maintenance and Material Management (3M) coordinator. "I remember watching the attacks when they occurred and it's fitting that my final reenlistment happened on the site honoring those who lost their lives that day. It really renewed my sense of purpose in the United States Navy, and it was an honor and privilege to read the oath of enlistment and commit to servicing my country at such a significant location."

FWNY, now in its 30th year, is the city's time-honored celebration of the sea services, and an unparalleled opportunity for the citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today's maritime services. Fleet FWNY has been held nearly every year since 1984.

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.

For more news from USS Arlington (LPD 24), visit www.navy.mil/.