Ships, sailors in harbor for Navy Week

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - It's a week to salute the men of women of the US Navy. This week Buffalo's rich history will be in the national spotlight as the US Navy commemorates the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and also celebrates 200 years of keeping our seas free.

Tuesday crews are preparing to welcome hundreds of sailors and community members to the waterfront. 

  >>  You can learn more about Buffalo Navy Week 2012 from their website

Rear Admiral Robin Graf said, “Ninety percent of the world’s commerce travels by water. So in other words, what happens at sea matters. It matters very much to our economy, and it matters to our national security.”

In the included video, EODC Mike Greenwood and ND1 Michael Patterson describe their work, and explain that there are sailors on the ground in the middle east, in addition to diving, jumping and using small-unit tactics.

Tall ships from U.S. and Canada will be on display near the Buffalo Naval Park and the public is encouraged to take part in the bicentennial celebration. Western New Yorkers will have the opportunity to learn first hand what it feels like to be a sailor, a marine and a coast guardsman. There will also be free tours of some of the tall ships.