Photo courtesy of Dianna Keen.

The New York Parade of Sail on May 23 included seventeen tall ships and 10 warships marking the beginning of OpSail 2012 and Fleet Week New York. The joint OpSail/U.S. Navy commemorations, the bicentennial of the War of 1812, and the writing of The Star-Spangled Banner provided the perfect context for this memorable occasion.

Additional parades took place in New Orleans, Norfolk, Boston, and Baltimore. Visitors were able to board ships and to enjoy the historic waterfront neighborhoods in each city.

A special poster by Charles Fazzino was commissioned for the occasion.