The global pandemic crisis took a toll on many of us. The need to isolate ourselves from others in order to flatten the curve and protect people at high risk, required us to stay home. While some of us were able to adjust and re-invent their working and study habits, for many others, their lives had changed for the worse. For homeless people who are struggling to keep their personal hygiene and get food on a regular basis, it became even more challenging. The welfare services are interrupted and there are just not enough people out who would show random acts of kindness. 

On Sunday I joined my friends Michele Smith-Wiemer and Barry Richards on their 7th donation drive. As mentioned in my previous article, the preparations for the weekly drive are being operated from Michele’s boat docked at Liberty Landing Marina in Jersey City and supported by the local boaters community. Michele is collecting food donations and cooks at her boat galley, and together with Barry they are driving around every Sunday to deliver the meals. In addition to meals, Michele and Barry are also supplying masks made by seniors – Michele’s mom, Susan Smith, and her Eugene, Oregon retirement community. 

Michele & Barry made 45 meals – this week the recipients had a choice between chili or mac & cheese with a yummy cupcake for dessert – made by Barry’s daughter. We drove around Jersey City looking for homeless people in known spots. It was important to us to find those who prefer to be on their own rather than to congregate where other homeless people do. Eventually we arrived in Journal Square, where typically many homeless people hang out. At Journal Square we were welcomed by Louis – a resourceful and kind young man who Michele & Barry met on previous drives. Louis organized a line, making sure the homeless are keeping a 6’ distance between each other and wearing masks. For those who didn’t have masks, or had disposable masks – we provided one of the hand made masks we brought with us. 

Michele was handing out the main course along with a piece of bread and a spoon, and I handed out the cupcakes. The people were polite, grateful, friendly and patient for the most part. We apologized to those who came back for seconds, explaining we wanted to make sure everybody is getting a meal, and their reaction was nothing but understanding and appreciating. I felt that the simple acts of acknowledgment and interest in them, like asking for their names and introducing ourselves, along with a bit of humor – that made the bridge over our metaphorical and physical social distancing. 

After supplying meals to all the homeless in Journal Square, we still had another dozen meals left. We then drove to Hoboken’s train terminal, where we found several other homeless people who were excited by the gesture. We even got a few thumbs up from non-homeless passerbys. 

Over the last few days I’ve been covering this story, I learnt from Michele & Barry that the biggest challenge they are facing is getting the mask supplies. While the Oregon’s seniors community is making them in a relatively good pace, it is hard to rely on USPS to get the shipments on time. They also found it hard to get elastic for the masks. To that extent, and in order to enable remote support of their effort, they started a Go Fund Me Campaign to help raise funds to pay for mask making supplies and expedited shipping services. They are also trying to get more local mask makers, who they are hoping to be able to pick up ready made masks from. 

Interested in getting involved and contributing to this effort? Here are ways you can do so:

1. Donate elastic and fabrics for mask making
2. Any connection to postal or shipping services that can provide a quick delivery to Jersey City – as shipments from Oregon seem to take way too long….
3. Donate money through Go Fund Me
4. Of course, any food donations from individuals or restaurants are welcome! 

If you are interested in helping out or have any contacts who might be helpful – please contact Michele at: [email protected]

The post Doing Good Sunday – Sailors And Seniors Helping Jersey City Homeless During Corona Times appeared first on New York Harbor Channel.

Thousands of New Yorkers peered out their windows, ran to their backyards, opened their front doors or some brave souls even went to the piers to witness the amazing tribute to first responders from the Air Forces’s Thunderbirds and Navy’s Blue Angels.  It has been three years since the Armed Forces Demonstration teams organized together.  The twelve fighter jet formation was assembled to honor healthcare workers across the nation.  “We’re excited to fly over cities across America as our way of saying thanks to the healthcare workers, first responders and all the people who selflessly run into the breach working to keep America strong.” said Air Force Chief of Staff General David L. Goldfein. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael Gilday added, “This is also our way of showing that we are all in this together and that America’s spirit will prevail.”

The multi-city tour is promoted with the slogan, ‘Operation America Strong’.

The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are based and train in Pensacola, Florida while the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are based in Nellis, Nevada.  Both demonstration teams are known for their aerobic maneuvers, but the flyover was designed as a simple salute to the healthcare workers. The flight formation started at The George Washington Bridge following the Hudson River down past Pier 90 where the USNS Comfort is presently stationed. It then looped over New Jersey, Long Island, and finally making its way over Queens and Brooklyn before finishing at the Verrazzano Bridge.

Featured in this article is our video, courtesy of native NY/NJ civilians which shows the flyover from various vantage points around the NYC-NJ area.

Afterwards, the formation flew over Trenton and Philadelphia following the NYC flyover.  The schedule will continue for the next two weeks and the flyover will target cities who are experiencing the most severe cases of Covid-19.

As a reminder to all who are taking advantage of the marvelous weather, please be sure to wear your masks when you do go outside.  Not only is it courteous to protect your neighbors, let alone yourselves, it is the law.  The waterfront was filled with spectators watching the flyover.  Approximately fifteen to twenty percent of the attendees did not have masks.  Be stylish!  Many small manufacturers are busy creating personalized face coverings that are cool to add to your sporting attire.

The Blue Angel Pilots wear their new blue and gold face masks as it has been added to their official uniform for photos.  The Pensacola Mask Sewers, who produced them, are donating the fashionable protective gear to hospitals.

The next event that will draw a nice sized crowd to the New York Harbor waterfront will be the departure of the USNS Comfort that was rumored to leave Pier 90 on Thursday, April 30th.  As of this moment, there is no official sailing date but NYHC will post the date when it becomes available from the U.S. Navy.

The post America Strong Flies Over A Wounded New York City appeared first on New York Harbor Channel.

The Nightdippers have an interesting history of missions since the squadron was first established in 1956 when the craft would lower its submersible sonar-equipment for Anti-Surface Warfare campaign in nighttime activities.  Hence, the creation of its name. Over the years, the majority of the Nightdipper missions have been Search and Rescue. Most memorable was its service in the 2005 Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans when more than 40 people airlifted to safety.  Delivering thousands of pounds of food, water and medical supplies has been a hallmark of local U.S. civilian authority support.

The Nightdippers has been deployed to dozens of aircraft carriers in the Persian Gulf, the Mediterranean Sea and the Caribbean performing hundreds of sorties and hundreds of hours.  The squadron received the 2013 Battle Efficiency Award as a result of their effectiveness in Helicopter Sea Combat out of Norfolk Naval Station.

So the mission to deliver hospital supplies from Norfolk to USNS Comfort in New York Harbor was assigned to carry the Navy’s stock of specialty full-face mask respirators with an air-filtration system.

“The safety of patients and crew about Comfort is our highest priority,” said Capt. Joseph O’Brien, mission commander, Task Force New York City. “We use full personal protection equipment precautions in accordance with CDC recommendations.  We are receiving these items now due to the shift in patient acceptance and to ensure we maintain safety of all aboard Comfort.”

The post Seen Flying Over New York Harbor This Week appeared first on New York Harbor Channel.