Brooklyn’s Sarah Rodney is a Machinist’s Mate on the USS Bataan, a U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship based in Norfolk, Virginia. But now here in town as part of Fleet Week, she looks forward to seeing her 10-year-old daughter Mariah on her visit.

“She’s extremely excited to see her mom. She can’t wait,” said Rodney, who is just one of the sailors and Marines here for Fleet Week, which returns for the first time since 2019 after the pandemic hiatus.

The public is invited to tour Navy, Coast Guard and British Royal Navy ships, as well as attend demonstrations and performances by military bands.

Long Island’s Ensign Sean Barry, the fourth generation of his family to serve, is among those welcoming the public on ships and at events around the five boroughs.

“We are going to be working hard to make sure that these New Yorkers can come on board, see what the ship and the Navy is all about, talk to some sailors,” Barry said.

“All these guys here work really hard every day, so it’s a great chance for us to show off to the city what we are about, what we do,” added Petty Officer Brian Reilly, who also hails from Long Island.

(NY1/Roger Clark)

For some of the military personnel who are arriving in town, it’s a homecoming — and they are looking forward to being back home in the New York area.

“I went home yesterday, just relaxed, got into regular clothes, just chilled out,” said U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Matthew Gwizcz, who is from New Jersey.

“I actually borrowed my girlfriend’s car, so that’s how I got over here, but yeah, going to see family, have a lot of good food over here, have a good time,” added Airman Besnik Nokaj, who also works on the USS Bataan and grew up in the Bronx.

For details on ship tours on Manhattan’s West Side and Staten Island, as well as other activities through May 30, head to FleetWeekNewYork.com.