The ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ pays tribute to General Bernardo de Gálvez

In the presence of the Spanish Ambassador to the US, the Mayor of Pensacola and other local authorities, the midshipmen of the Spanish Navy training ship ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’ participated in a wreath-laying ceremony in honor of General Bernardo de Gálvez.

General Gálvez was born in Macharaviaya (Malaga) and was declared honorary citizen of the United States by an Act of Congress last December. In 1781 he commanded a four-ship flotilla entering Pensacola Bay during the American Revolutionary War, risking his life for the freedom of the United States people and providing supplies, intelligence, and strong military support to the war effort. His exploit contributed to the defeat of the British soldiers in the Siege of Pensacola.

The training ship visited the city of Pensacola from May 27th to June 1st coinciding with the Five Flags festivities, in reference to the five sovereign governments throughout its history, Spain being the first one. The Naval League and the US Navy organized and hosted receptions for the crew and midshipmen of the training ship.

Other activities included visits to Navy Training Center, the National Naval Aviation Museum, a Coast Guard base and the Airbus facilities in the nearby city of Mobile.

Pensacola threw itself into the event embellishing the streets with Spanish flags. This is the seventh time the training ship visits this US city. Despite the high temperatures, more than 9,000 people visited the ship.

Before leaving the city the ‘Blue Angels’ -the US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron- flew over the ‘Juan Sebastián de Elcano’. The ship is now sailing towards Boston, the last port of call in the American continent.