From April 29 to May 6, Fort Lauderdale will once again play host to the largest annual military-themed event in South Florida: Fleet Week 2013. The 6-day event, also known as Military Appreciation Week, commemorates the men and women in uniform and honors the sacrifices made by both current and former members of the armed forces.

This year, Fleet Week will involve nearly 1,200 local military personnel, including Coast Guardsmen, Reservists, Recruiters, Navy support personnel, and those serving in the US Southern Command (or Southcom) which is based here in Miami-Dade County. The event is hosted by Broward Navy Days and will be organized and run by volunteers and Servicepeople from around the Fort Lauderdale community. Included in the week’s wide variety of events and festivities will be the Republic Services Golf Classic, a Salute to Veterans, Miami Marlins Military Appreciation Night, the Take a Hero Fishing Tournament (hosted by the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation), a Ping Pong Tournament, Galley Wars, the Marine Industries Association Plywood Regatta, the Rotary U.S. Military 5K Run, the Legion of Honor Ceremony and much more. To download a complete guide to Fleet Week events go to www.browardnavydaysinc.org.

Fleet Week allows Fort Lauderdale residents and visitors the opportunity to celebrate the courage and dedication of our servicemen and women while enjoying a diverse array of entertaining activities. It’s just one of many unique events that occur throughout the year. With its subtropical climate, pristine beaches, and a multitude of year-round attractions, it’s no wonder this vibrant city welcomes over 10 million visitors each year. Additionally, thousands of people choose to settle in Fort Lauderdale every year in order to take advantage of its many first rate opportunities for fine living.

If you want to make the most of what this amazing city has to offer, contact Realtor Gayle Borden, the leading specialist on Fort Lauderdale Real Estate. She’s won a multitude of awards recognizing her outstanding performance and professionalism, and always has up-to-date knowledge on everything Fort Lauderdale has to offer. You can reach her at gayle@gayleborden.com or 954.525.3355.