After a night of heavy rain in New York on July 6, the summer heat was swept away by the cool and refreshing air. The sky was shrouded in a light mist, with fine drizzles occasionally falling, adding a touch of mystery and romance to the harbor.
Although the celebrations for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States were coming to an end, the festive atmosphere still lingered. The USS Arlington, an active-duty dock landing ship of the United States Navy, and tall-mast training sailboats from Italy, Sweden, Uruguay, and other countries were moored near piers 86 and 88 of the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Amidst the mist and drizzle, they stood silently towering, masts high and ships majestic, attracting a continuous stream of visitors. The entire New York Harbor was immersed in a festive and bustling atmosphere, enhancing the romantic and enchanting nature of this international maritime event that transcended borders.
Looking out towards the piers, a festive scene unfolded. People flocked to visit the warships and sailboats, forming long lines in front of each vessel. In addition to boarding for tours, interactive experience areas were set up around the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, with branches of the U.S. Navy and Air Force showcasing military life and recruiting stands, introducing visitors to military careers, and distributing souvenirs bearing the American flag. Various military equipment was open for close observation, with many people climbing aboard vehicles, touching equipment firsthand, and experiencing military culture.
One of the most popular attractions was the interactive diving display by the United States Coast Guard. Divers interacted with the public through a transparent water tank, playing games and then resurfacing to give children flag badges, bracelets, sunglasses adorned with the flag, and Coast Guard memorabilia, eliciting cheers. Meanwhile, a military band played patriotic tunes, with the audience clapping and cheering along to the beat, creating a joyful atmosphere throughout the harbor.
On the pier, naval officers and sailors from various countries became a striking sight. They warmly engaged with the public, conversing and taking photos, blending different languages amidst laughter and joy. People moved between ships from different nations, experiencing the openness, diversity, and camaraderie showcased during the celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary.
Moored at Pier 88, the USS Arlington LPD-24, a San Antonio-class dock landing ship of the U.S. Navy, was one of the most popular open-for-tours vessels. With a length of 208 meters and a displacement of nearly 25,000 tons, the ship stood proudly at the dock, attracting a continuous flow of visitors. From groups organized by the local Chinese community to out-of-town tourists, many came to witness the majesty of an active-duty U.S. Navy amphibious ship.
The USS Arlington is capable of carrying about 700 Navy Marines and primarily undertakes missions such as amphibious operations, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and is one of the three ships named by the U.S. Navy to commemorate the September 11 terrorist attacks. Photography was prohibited on board, with visitors following designated routes for orderly tours. The reporter noticed a prominent sign on the ship that read: “9·11 – Sailors and Marines Never Forget,” conveying the enduring national memory that the vessel symbolizes, showcasing not just the strength of the U.S. Navy but also carrying a story of a nation’s unforgotten past.
The Italian Navy training sailboat “Amerigo Vespucci,” moored at Pier 86, was considered one of the world’s most famous and beautiful tall ship training vessels, drawing a large number of visitors for boarding tours. An Italian sailor shared his honor in participating in the U.S. 250th anniversary celebrations, aiming to share glory with the United States and promote friendship between the two nations.
During the interview, a Filipino-American citizen named Archie brought his two sons aboard to visit the ship. Expressing excitement over being part of the 250th anniversary celebrations, Archie emphasized the significance of understanding the history behind the American nation. He fondly recalled his naturalization ceremony, filled with emotion, and his pride in becoming an American. Witnessing the gathering of U.S. warships and sailboats from allied countries in New York Harbor, Archie saw it not just as a celebration but as a vivid history lesson for his children.
In the midst of the crowd, another notable figure was an elderly New Yorker. Fifty years ago, during the U.S. Bicentennial celebrations, he was celebrating with his newlywed wife, witnessing a historic moment together. Now, on the occasion of the U.S. 250th anniversary, having lost his wife, he came alone to the New York Harbor, joining the crowd at the national celebration.
The gentleman, polite and courteous, always accommodating towards fellow visitors, showed the reporter a photo of himself in a U.S. Coast Guard uniform in his youth. Although he declined a detailed interview due to professional reasons, he warmly engaged in short exchanges, conveying a profound and stoic sense of patriotism. Fifty years ago, hand in hand with his wife, he celebrated the Bicentennial; five decades later, standing alone at the New York Harbor, he witnessed the nation’s 250th anniversary. Despite the passage of half a century and the departure of loved ones, the nation reached a new milestone.
The New York Harbor, during the U.S. 250th anniversary celebrations, not only served as a stage for the U.S. and its allies but also witnessed encounters and exchanges between history and the present, immigrants and natives, different cultures and generations.
As the warships prepared to leave the harbor and the sailboats continued their voyages, for many, what the 250th anniversary celebrations left behind was not just a festive gathering but a collective memory about the nation, history, and life.