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Marines and sailors aboard the U.S.S. Germantown salute the city of Seattle July 30 as they participate in Fleetweek which is part of the city's summer Seafair celebration.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Zachary J. Nola

Seattle welcomes Marines to Seafair 2008

3 Aug 2008 | Lance Cpl. Zachary J. Nola Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms

            Marines and sailors from 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, Calif., took part in Seattle’s Fleetweek at the city’s downtown waterfront Pier 90 July 30 – Aug. 3.
Fleetweek is an annual event held each year in correlation with Seattle’s Summer Celebration Seafair and welcomes the men and women of the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Canadian Navy to the city's Elliott Bay waterfront.
2nd Lt. Justin Kosar, AAV platoon commander, 3rd Platoon, 3rd AABn., said the Marines participating in the event were chosen because they were the most prepared, and because some of his Marines have participated in back-to-back Mojave Viper exercises and warranted a break. 
Kosar added, fleetweek also provided his Marines with an opportunity to experience life aboard a ship.
“It gets the Marines used to being on ship because this is how the Marines will get in the fight,” said Kosar, a native of Albany, Ga.
As part of Fleetweek the Marines showed off their AAV’s as well as the vehicle’s gear and weaponry on Pier 90 to the fair’s many civilian visitors and also to a few of their fellow service members.
All service members attending Fleetweek were also given a choice of activities and shows to attend ranging from a Shriners golf tournament, hydroplane races, Seattle Mariners baseball game and an air show by the Navy’s Blue Angles.
Lance Cpl. Patrick Tunney, AAV crewman, 3rd Platoon, Bravo Co., said he enjoyed Fleetweek because it allowed the Marines to show visitors what the platoon and their vehicles do.
“The best part was teaching the civilians about the vehicles and getting to talk to with them,” said Tunney, a native of Westmont, Ill.  
Tunney’s Fleetweek was made extra memorable when he was promoted to his current rank on the flight deck of the U.S.S. Germantown, the ship where 3rd Platoon made their quarters. 
“It’s something I’m always going to remember,” said Tunney.
Jason Tenorio, AAV crewman, 3rd Platoon, Bravo Co., said in addition to the opportunity to interact with Seattle’s civilian population, Fleetweek also provided the Marines with an opportunity to get to know each other better.
“You get to talk to your buddy more, so you get to know them a lot better,” said Tenorio, a native of the Bronx, N.Y.
Once Fleetweek concluded, 3rd Platoon wasted no time getting back to work. On their return trip to Camp Pendleton aboard the Germantown the Marines of 3rd Platoon cleaned weapons, serviced their vehicles and even found time to promote some of the platoon’s Marines to grey belts in the Marine Corps’ Martial Arts Program.
After four days at sea, the platoon practiced off loading their AAVs from the Germantown a mile from shore and safely navigating them back to Del Mar Beach at Camp Pendleton where they concluded their two week trip to and from Fleetweek.

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Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms