Ballarat Personnel Wowed By NYC
4 August 2009
The Big Apple without a doubt wowed all the sailors on Northern Trident 2009. When describing his experience of the city to a New York Times reporter, HMAS Ballarat’s LS Boatswains Mate Aaron Smits said "When I first went to Times Square, I walked in and it was just like, wow". LS Smits was not the only member of ship’s company to have their breath taken away by the city that never sleeps. Ballarat’s crew took every chance they could to absorb the sights, sounds and general atmosphere of the city.
"The scale was big – you couldn’t help but compare it to Sydney and it made Sydney feel so small" said LS Electronics Technician Nathan Little.
"I was a member of the Ballarat berthing party who flew in ahead of our arrival. On the way in the helicopter circled the Statue of Liberty – it was a clear day and we were about 100m away from the statue, it was totally breathtaking" said AB Marine Technician Brett Kemp.
"The level of support that the citizens of New York showed to service men and women was exceptional. At Yankee stadium, returned service men received a spontaneous standing ovation when introduced to the crowd on the big screen" said Seaman Officer, SBLT Brett Schulz.
"I’ll remember the bright lights, that people were everywhere, the food vendors on almost every corner and the three story store devoted entirely to M&M’s right in Times Square – everything was over the top" said AB Electronics Technician, John Douglas.
"The wow factor took a good half a day to come to terms with – just getting used to people saying good job to you in the street, stopping to ask for photos with you in uniform and being pushed to the front of the que at the attractions was something" said PO, Electronics Technician, Nathan Duke.
"The visit to Central Park was such a contrast to the city – the fact that such a large amount of land has been set aside in the middle of the busy city is quite amazing, they even have a zoo in Central Park" said AB Boatswains Mate Phillip Secomb.
"It was just a cool city, contrary to what is portrayed on movies and TV, the people were really polite and welcoming. They did not hesitate to share their appreciation for the job that those in uniform perform – not just the military but the fire fighters and police of NYC" said LS Communications Information Sailor, Trent Nunn.
"I went in rig up the Empire State Building" said SMN Marine Technician Xanthe Gray. "They sent me straight to the front of the que and once up there the view was excellent. I could see across Manhattan to the Statue of Liberty and the Brooklyn Bridge, it was just beautiful." she said.
"I walked down Broadway and it was more spread out than I realised, but all the things you’d expect were there – the flashing light blubs, billboards for all the different shows. I recognised some like Wicked and Mary Poppins but there just so many shows on at once" said LS Communications Information Systems Rebecca O’Hanlon.
"Walking the floor of the New York Stock Exchange was my highlight. As we walked along we were surrounded by the calls of the traders totally focused on the market and buying and selling for their clients. Watching the numbers rising and falling was amazing as it reminds you that you are in a building that drives the way we live, the way our economy functions" said Supply Officer, SBLT Theresa Wells.
The city and its citizens opened their arms to the visiting RAN personnel and Ballarat’s Officers and Sailors were quick to embrace the city and all it had to offer them. The consensus amongst the crew was that their stay was all too brief but the next port of call of Northern Trident 2009 was beckoning and all too soon they had to depart. The visit to New York will not be forgotten by any of the crew of Ballarat, with many vowing to return to continue their exploration of the city that never sleeps.
