Homestead Sailor Attends EPSN’s Armed Forces Classic In Hawaii
Pearl Harbor, HI – Seaman Daniel Suarez, a native of Homestead, Florida and a 2011 graduate of Boulder High School, is currently serving in Pearl Harbor, home to the U.S. Pacific Fleet Headquarters.
According to Navy officials, the U.S. Pacific Fleet is the world’s largest fleet command, encompassing 100 million square miles, nearly half the Earth’s surface, from Antarctica to the Arctic Circle and from the West Coast of the United States into the Indian Ocean. The U.S. Pacific Fleet consists of approximately 200 ships/submarines, nearly 1,100 aircraft, and more than 140,000 Sailors and civilians. Pearl Harbor itself is home to more than 19,000 U.S. Navy Sailors, 11 surface ships, 19 nuclear-powered submarines and 19 aircraft.
Although the world has changed greatly in the past 75 years, the Navy has been pivotal in helping maintain peace and stability in the Pacific region for decades, and for good reason, Navy officials say. The 36 nations that comprise the region are home to more than 50 percent of the world’s population, many of the world’s largest and smallest economies, several of the world’s largest militaries, and many U.S. allies. Accordingly, the Navy has plans, by 2020, to base is basing approximately 60 percent of its ships and aircraft in the region. Officials say the Navy will also provide its most advanced war-fighting platforms to the region, including missile defense-capable ships; submarines; reconnaissance aircraft; and its newest surface warfare ships, including all of the Navy’s new stealth destroyers.
Suarez attended the Armed Forces Classic held in Honolulu, Hawaii this Veterans Day. The event honored all Veterans, with special commemorations for those who served during World War II. The U.S. was drawn into World War II following the December 7th attack on Pearl Harbor 75 years ago.
While much as changed in 75 years, American Sailors’ core attributes of toughness, initiative, accountability and integrity remain today. The last legacy of the heroism and determination exhibited on Dec. 7th, 1941 is the heritage Smith and other service members remain committed to live up to in the 21st Century.
