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City of Milford
Contact: James L. Richetelli, Jr.
Mayor, City of Milford
City Hall
110 River Street
Milford, CT 06460
Phone 203 783-3201
Fax 203 783-3329
For Immediate Release
M E D I A A L E R T
Mayor Richetelli To Welcome Naval Academy Ships on July 3, Launching Independence Day Weekend.
City Also Honoring Veterans and Active Duty Military Personnel on July 3.
Milford, CT, July 1, 2009: A full weekend of holiday excitement awaits Milford residents and visitors, beginning with the arrival Friday of four ships from the United States Naval Academy (USNA). This is the first time the USNA Offshore Sail Training Squadron has visited Milford.
The weekend festivities will begin at approximately 9 a.m. Friday, July 3, when Mayor James L. Richetelli, Jr. officially welcomes the USNA ships into Milford harbor. Crewed by USNA midshipmen, the 44-ft sailboats’ arrival in Milford will conclude a 300-nautical mile journey from Annapolis, Maryland. From a vantage point at the head of the harbor, Mayor Richetelli will lead welcoming officials as a cannon announces the arrival of the first USNA vessel. As the ship sails into the harbor, it will pass under a canopy of water from a City Fire Department boat. (Note: The media is welcome to watch with Mayor Richetelli and film the event. The Yacht Club requests that media park on Trumbull Street and walk into the Club, where
cameras may be set up. Contact at the Yacht Club is John Nevin, cell phone number 203-314-6709.)
One by one, the USNA ships will sail into the harbor and tie up on the northeast dock at Lisman Landing. This is the side of Lisman Landing adjacent to the baseball fields. At Lisman Landing, the ships will be open for public tours from noon until 4 p.m., on both Saturday, July 4, and Sunday, July 5. The midshipmen will host these tours. (Note: One-on-one interviews with midshipmen or USNA personnel may be coordinated through Dan Rugg, 410-320-1705 and/or Dale Greenwood,
203-273-1614.)
While in Milford, the midshipmen and USNA crew will spend the weekend with local volunteer host families. The USNA visit is funded through private donations, which have been coordinated by the Milford Chamber of Commerce. On Sunday evening, Milford Yacht Club will host the midshipmen for a private reception and dinner. (Note: Navy “Blue & Gold” Officers available for interview include Kevin Liddy, cell phone number (203) 215-1566 and Greg Costello, cell number (917) 544-9803.
As part of the Independence Day festivities, the visiting midshipmen and USNA personnel will be special guests on July 3 at the annual Honoring our Heroes night at the Westfield Connecticut Post Mall. The mall event will feature entertainment, a spectacular fireworks display, and the City of Milford – Proud to Serve ceremony at 8 p.m., when Mayor Richetelli will recognize the servicemen and women who have served our country since September 11, 2001. The Mayor has invited the City’s veterans groups and members of the City’s patriotic organizations to join him on stage as he recognizes the newest members of the community of veterans.
(AND A FINAL NOTE ABOUT WEATHER…If inclement weather forces the cancellation of the Westfield Connecticut Post Mall fireworks and related events, the City of Milford – Proud to Serve recognition ceremony will be moved into City Hall Auditorium, 110 River Street, at 8 p.m., on July 3, 2009. Please consult the mall website, WEBE radio or WTNH television for weather-related cancellations.)
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