By Guy Span

This was our first Fleet Week without the Blue Angels (not counting 2001, where the entire event was cancelled). Attendance was lighter than last year, and Edward Leonard, volunteer head of San Francisco Fleet Week Committee, Inc. attributed that drop to the missing angels. But the Air Show Network (the for-profit contractor) leaped into the breach and used its connections to attract the quieter Canadian Snowbirds to be the headliner (in fact muscling them away from a scheduled appearance in Redding). So the event was a qualified success.

This year saw the entry of a new organization, Friends of the Fleet Foundation that sponsored a number of events for the public and the sailors. Friends of the Fleet operates under the auspices International Sports Heroes, Inc. a registered non-profit 501c(3) corporation in good standing with the state of California (according to the Attorney General’s web site).

Friends of the Fleet was responsible for bringing the Marine Corp Band to play at Pier 39 and at the veteran’s Home of the Brave, in Napa. Transportation was provided so sailors could visit Children’s Hospital, the VA Medical Center in San Francisco and the George P. Miller Elementary School in Alameda. Let’s say that again. Sailors returning from a long deployment (notably from the USS Momsen, USS John Paul Jones, USS Jarrett and the USCG Alert) volunteered their incredibly valuable leave time to visit sick and injured children and veterans. This is a good indication of the character of the young men and women serving in our armed forces.

A lunch was held at City Hall, honoring sailors selected by their Captains as “MVPs” and a raffle awarded numerous prizes including autographed sports memorabilia and gifts from the San Francisco Giants organization. About this event, Seaman ist Class Marco Bides noted, “There are civilians ... who appreciate what we do on a daily basis.” A Black Tie dinner was also held at City Hall honoring the Captain’s and XOs from the visiting ships. An appreciative Navy representative wanted to present a plaque to the city, but surprisingly, there was no city representative on hand to receive the gift. Ms. Barbara Mendoza (Navy Public Relations but dressed in civilian attire) accepted on behalf of the City.
So where was the Mayor or any other ranking City official? Not at the event, although the Mayor was reportedly right outside City Hall, on stage making a short speech closing the World Computer Games. What does this say about the City’s commitment to Fleet Week? And did the Navy notice? You bet they did. But no one would comment on the record. Interestingly enough, Fleet Week is a major economic event for the City of San Francisco. On a good year, it draws one million people to the waterfront and has a huge economic impact on those businesses.

Reportedly, the Mayor cancelled a joint press conference with the Navy and was 45 minutes late to meeting where the Navy wished to present an award. In light of this behavior, it is simply not surprising that the Blue Angels, the largest Fleet Week draw, would elect to take their air show to Hawaii. But other rumors swirl around the waterfront regarding the absent angels. Some say it is the relentless commercialism by Air Show Network (the for-profit subcontractor) that limited the Blue Angels contact with the public, except at paid events. The Blue Angels are the Navy’s single largest recruiting aid and limiting their public contact effectively spoils their mission. Whatever happened last year, the Navy is not saying. But the Angel’s departure spoke volumes.

Then there’s the Fleet Week Committee, which contracted with Air Show Network to put on the event. Between the two, according to Edward Leonard, they are responsible for paying for the extra security, porta-potties, clean up, hosting the visiting airmen and families, fuel, an air-boss and lots more. It adds up to a lot. Air Show Network pays for this and more. But they also have an income side, where they sell sponsorships, concessions, a guide book, corporate tents, special viewing areas, catered lunches and the like.

Then there’s the City, which last year reportedly paid $10,000 to the Fleet Week Committee and the Port also reportedly kicked in another $10,000. Air Show networks also reportedly paid money to the Committee, which in turn paid for the important background services. This year, the Port of San Francisco was a listed sponsor, as was Fishermen’s Wharf Merchants Association, Pier 39 and others. And this is where the story gets more complicated.

The San Francisco Fleet Week Committee, Inc. is NOT listed on the California Attorney General’s web site as a registered charity (either a 501c(3) or c(4) corporation). So Bay Crossings asked Edward Leonard why there was no listing. He said, “We should be. I don’t know why that is.”

It turns out, according to the Attorney General’s office, that many 501c(4) non-profits are not listed on the current web site, although they do indeed have standing as a California non-profit. (It is Bay Crossings understanding that the c(4) corporations do not have a Federal exemption, but only maintain a State exemption. A c(3) non-profit maintains both.) The Attorney General’s Office specifically stated that the Fleet Week Committee was in good standing and had filed all the appropriate financial reports.
So only a few things are clear. The Directors of the San Francisco Fleet Week Committee, Inc. observe their fiduciary responsibility and make the proper reports, as a registered non-profit. The City supports Fleet Week with cash contributions but could not be bothered to even send a minion to honor the top officers of the Third Fleet and our visiting Canadian cousins at either event held at City Hall. The Blue Angels did not fly for Fleet Week this year and attendance was down. It will be interesting to see what happens next year.