Viva Elcano! Celebrating U.S. Citizenship of Bernardo de Galvez
Juan Sebastián de Elcano to Visit Pensacola
Pensacola, Fla. (May 8, 2015) The Fiesta of Five Flags and Maria Davis, Honorary Vice Consul to Spain, are pleased to announce that the Juan Sebastián de Elcano will visit Pensacola May 27-June 1, 2015. The Juan Sebastián de Elcano is the third largest “Tall Ship” in the world and was launched on March 5, 1927. She is the official training ship for the Royal Spanish Navy and entrusted with the formation and training of the Spanish Naval Midshipmen. Since 1927 the Elcano has sailed more than a million and a half nautical miles through all the seas of the world. Of the 77 cruises she has completed, 10 of them have been around the world. Considered to be a “floating embassy,” her presence in foreign countries and ports contributes considerably to the Spanish foreign policy. Elcano Captain Enrique Torres-Piñeyro of El Ferrol, Galicia, Spain and crew will sail into Pensacola Wednesday, May 27, 2015 at 9a.m. to help honor the U.S. citizenship of General Bernardo de Galvez, a Revolutionary War hero who won the Battle of Pensacola 234 years ago in May. Spanish commander Galvez defeated British troops in the Battle of Pensacola on May 9, 1781, reconquering West Florida for Spain and aiding the 13 American colonies in their quest for independence. Each year, Pensacola, which boasts a large population with connections to Spain, celebrates that victory. In December of 2014, the United States Congress conferred honorary citizenship on Galvez, citing him as a hero of the Revolutionary War. The Juan Sebastián de Elcano has visited Pensacola six other times. The first was in 1959 during Pensacola’s 400th Anniversary. Mrs. Davis, who is also Chairman of the Elcano Committee, was responsible for the Elcano’s return to Pensacola five more times in 1981 for the Galvez Celebration, then again in 1984, 1995, 1998 and 2009 for the 450th Anniversary Celebration. The ship will be docked at the Port of Pensacola, and free public tours will be offered Friday, May 29 and Saturday, May 30 from 10a.m.–1pm. and 3p.m. – 5p.m. as well as Sunday, May 31 from 3pm.-5pm (tour dates and times subject to change). Serving as committee co-chairpersons are Mrs. Davis and Collier Merrill. Committee members include: Jeri Blankenbeck, Becca Boles, Dr. John Brannan, Theresa Brannan, Stacy Brown, Ellis Bullock, Deborah Caldwell, CAPT. Mike Denkler, Heather DePew, Joe Gilchrist, Jon Green, Dr. Rick Harper, Michael Long, Adelene Lovelace, CAPT Dan McCort, Alan McMillan, Clark Merritt, and Patrick Nichols.
