Free and open to the public
View Photos from last year's ceremony
What is the Blessing of the Fleets?
Passed down through generations of mariners and navies around the world, the annual Blessing of the Fleets tradition will be held for the 21st consecutive year at the United States Navy Memorial on Saturday, April 14 at 1:00pm. Held on the outdoor plaza, the event is free and open to the public and begins right after the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. This event is part of the Cherry Blossom Festival.
The centuries-old "Blessing of the Fleets" ceremony is intended to safeguard crews and ships from the danger of the seas through a traditional blessing given by a clergyman at the water's edge.
The Blessing of the Fleets' highlight occurs when Sailors from the U.S. Navy's Ceremonial Guard proceed across the Memorial Plaza's "Granite Sea" to pour water from the Seven Seas and the Great Lakes into the surrounding fountains, "charging" them to life and ushering in the spring season. Ceremonial music is provided by the U.S. Navy Band.
Following the ceremony, culinary specialists from the White House Mess will prepare and serve Navy bean soup to visitors in the adjacent Naval Heritage Center. Visitors are invited to relax in the Naval Heritage Center's Burke Theater for a musical performance by the Washington Revels Maritime Voices. Singing "Songs of the Sea and Shore," the musical group will portray the old life at sea and back home, including the sailors' use of sea chanteys and the joys and hardships of the women ashore.
This year's Blessing of the Fleets coincides with the opening of "The Year of the Chief."
The exhibit will be on display at the Navy Memorial from April 2012 through March 2013. It will be accompanied by numerous public events throughout the year, including book signings, children's activities, and ceremonies for active duty personnel and their families. An online exhibit of the art will be available at www.navymemorial.org.
How You Can Help
Events like the Blessing of the Fleets are an important part of what we do at The United States Navy Memorial as they help further our mission to honor the men and women of the Navy and Sea Services. Because we don't charge people to attend this event and because we receive no federal funding, the Navy Memorial relies entirely on the generosity of dedicated supporters in order to continue important programs like the Blessing of the Fleets. That's why we hope you'll show your support with a gift today.