During the inaugural Fleet Week in Texas, Fox News’ Steve Doocy interviewed U.S. Marine Captain William Coale aboard the USS Kearsarge as the ship prepared to dock at Bayport in Houston. The crew was manning the rails in a traditional display while entering port.
Captain Coale, a Fredericksburg, Texas native and commander of the roughly 259 Marines aboard the Kearsarge, highlighted the historic significance of bringing Fleet Week to his home state for the first time. He noted that approximately 360 sailors and Marines participated in the manning of the rails.
Fleet Week Houston celebrates America 250 https://t.co/27zuLBY7uu #FoxNews
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Coale credited his decision to join the Marine Corps to growing up near the Admiral Chester Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg — the hometown of the famed World War II admiral. Volunteering there and speaking with World War II veterans, along with inspiration from his uncle, motivated him to serve.
He described Fleet Week as a valuable opportunity to represent the Navy and Marine Corps, connect with the public — especially Texas youth — and encourage people to approach service members and learn about military life. Coale called it an honor to bring the ships and service members to Houston for public engagement and tours.