Overview

• Navy and Coast Guard vessels — including USS Arlington, USS Lassen, USS Billings, USS Cooperstown and USCGC Lawrence Lawson — steamed up the Delaware with flyovers, then berthed in Philadelphia and Camden for public tours starting Friday.
• The Navy’s official schedule lists daily aircraft flyovers, vessel tours through Oct. 15, a downtown Philadelphia parade on Oct. 13 with a planned Blue Angels flyover, and evening fireworks.
• Historic ships USS New Jersey, USS Olympia and USS Becuna are open for visitors, with PSE&G funding free public tours of USS New Jersey on the Navy’s 250th birthday.
• Officials cast Homecoming 250 as an opening salute to the 2026 semiquincentennial, drawing large crowds of veterans, service members and civilians along the riverfront.
• The volunteer-run commemoration was five years in the making under organizer George Leone, with Vice Adm. John Gumbleton and regional leaders underscoring Philadelphia’s role as the Navy’s birthplace.