SAN DIEGO — Waving a Vietnam War veteran flag on this 1968-built swift boat that trained Navy crew members in San Diego before being deployed, passersby cheered it on for the annual Veterans Day Parade.
The PCF 816, or Patrol Craft Fast is a rare piece of history.
"There are no more PCF's in the world that run. This is it. This is a national treasure. There rest were left in Vietnam, and this one came to us from Malta,” said John Kelly, a Vietnam Veteran, who served in the U.S. Navy from 1963-83 and serves as the PCF volunteer boat engineer.
The festive parade on water included the "Tall Ship Californian" that gave off a loud canon blast
Crowds enjoyed seeing the boats glide along the Waterfront after taking off at noon from the southern tip of Harbor Island and passing the USS Midway Museum and then to the Coronado Ferry Landing and back.
"It brings back a lot of memories so the sound of the engine primarily and the rocking of the boat,” said Navy veteran Celso Morrison, who served in Vietnam War from 1966-68.
The patriotic parade made for an awesome time of reflection for veterans and their families.
"It was hard on the family also hard on him when he was there, but we all knew what we signed up for, so I hope everyone understands the vets and what they did for our country,” said La Mesa resident Paula Pifer, whose husband Joe served the Navy and the Marines 30 years.
At one point the swift boat sped up to about 25 knots, but the veteran sailors say that was nothing compared to how fast it went in battle, back when the vessel had no rails and seats.
"When you're in combat, you've got rounds all over the deck and shell casings all over the deck so that is worse than not having a railing because it's like ice-skating,” Kelly said.
For Kelly, Veterans Day is about honoring the military's sacrifice.
"Like all veterans we are proud of what we did, this is a good way to reflect back and to remember those who didn't come home. In Vietnam we had 50 swift boat sailors die on patrol over there and we do this in remembrance of them,” Kelly said.
Many of the boats in the parade will also have active-duty personnel and veterans aboard. The boats will be competing for prizes for best decorated in Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and patriotic themes. In addition to the boat parade, there will be skydivers, vintage aircraft flyovers, and search and recuse demonstrations by the U.S. Coast Guard.
At the San Diego Maritime museum, the swift boat tour is $15 in addition to general admission, which ranges from $15 to $20 depending on age or military ID.
For more information about San Diego Fleet Week 2021 events, click here.