Some 6,000 sailors, marines and coast guardsman were shipped into New York City Wednesday for the beginning of Fleet Week, this year marking the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.

A flotilla of tall ships glided past the Statue of Liberty, while the Blue Angels flew past the Empire State Building, and New Yorkers everywhere watched on in awe.

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The New York Daily News talked to some New York City servicemen, just happy to be back home:

Marine Lance Cpl. Dennis Cox, who is 22 and from Harlem, said he’s looking to show his buddies a good time in Gotham.

“You don’t get the opportunity to get all your Marines in one place, especially your friends who you went to combat with, and to show them your hometown,” Cox said.

Petty Officer Second Class Joe Maydwell, a retired NYPD sergeant and Navy reservist based in the city, said “the sailors will have a ton of fun.”

“When you walk around New York City in a sailor suit, you’re a chick magnet,” said Maydwell, 48.

Katy Perry performed for servicemen on the Brooklyn waterfront while wearing an American flag dress, and further North aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid, Will Smith, along with Jaden and Willow and DJ Jazzy Jeff, performed for sailors at the MIB3 premier.

There will be events for the public until May 29th (for a full schedule go here) including demonstrations, performances, flyovers, and visiting hours aboard the ships.

Sailors, marines and coast guardsmen looking to blow off some steam at the city's bars and strip clubs will find copious deals. Anyone with a military ID will get into the Headquarters Gentleman Club for free, plus $5 drinks. Scores will also offer free admission, drinks and dances, according to The Daily News.

This year also marks the first Fleet Week since the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell and city businesses are lining up to attract gay servicemembers. From DNAinfo:

The OUT NYC, the city's first gay hotel has kicked off their Served With Pride Package for Fleet Week, but will keep the discount program going indefinitely. Military personnel staying at the hotel at at 512 W. 42nd St. will get 30 percent off their rooms, a complimentary "Served With Pride" T-shirt or tank top, along with free wifi and complimentary continental breakfast...

The Maritime Hotel at 363 West 16th Street is offering its own discounts to sailors, with rooms for $99 a night for any active-duty seaman or woman in their Navy whites.

The hotel's restaurant, La Bottega, has put together its own line of nautical-themed specialty cocktails, including the Anchor, the Albatross, and the Do Ask, Please Tell.

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  • `Katy Perry: Part of Me` Performance for Pepsi`s Fleet Week

  • A ship travels past the World Trade Center site as seen from Jersey City, N.J., Wednesday, May 23, 2012. Naval vessels ranging from a U.S. amphibious assault ship to a Finnish minelayer are participating in New York City's Fleet Week. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

  • In this image released by the U.S. Navy, Country music star Trace Adkins poses with a sailor during a tour aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, Wednesday, May 23, 2012, kicking off Fleet Week in New York. This year, the seven-day event coincides with he commemoration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and will host more than 6,000 service members from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard team in addition to coalition ships from around the world. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy, Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Gretchen M. Albrecht)

  • `Katy Perry: Part of Me` Performance for Pepsi`s Fleet Week

    In this May 23, 2012 photo released by Starpix, singer Katy Perry wears a patriotic dress as she performs at a Pepsi-sponsored event at Brooklyn Pier 9A, kicking off Fleet Week in New York. (AP Photo/Starpix, Amanda Schwab)

  • In this image released by the U.S. Navy, Country music star Trace Adkins autographs a sailor

  • ROBIN ROBERTS, WILL SMITH, CREW OF SS INTREPID

    In this image released by ABC, host Robin Roberts, left, sits with actor Will Smith during "Good Morning America," broadcast from The U.S.S. Intrepid aircraft carrier, Wednesday, May 23, 2012 kicking off Fleet Week in New York. Smith stars in the film "Men in Black 3 "opening Friday. (AP Photo/ABC, Donna Svennevik)

  • `Katy Perry: Part of Me` Performance for Pepsi`s Fleet Week

    In this May 23, 2012 photo released by Starpix, singer Katy Perry wears a patriotic dress as she performs at a Pepsi-sponsored event at Brooklyn Pier 9A, kicking off Fleet Week in New York. (AP Photo/Starpix, Amanda Schwab)

  • HMCS Iroquois

    The HMCS Iroquois, from Canada, sails by the Statue Of Liberty, in New York, to participate in Fleet Week activities, Wednesday, May 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

  • Sailors line the deck of the USS Wasp as she sails by the Statue Of Liberty, in New York, to participate in Fleet Week activities, Wednesday, May 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

  • People watch the USS Donald Cook pass lower Manhattan and the World Trade Center site from Jersey City, N.J., Wednesday, May 23, 2012. Naval vessels ranging from a U.S. amphibious assault ship to a Finnish minelayer are participating in New York City's Fleet Week. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

  • Eagle

    The U.S. Coast Guard Barque Eagle sails by the Statue Of Liberty, in New York, to participate in Fleet Week activities, Wednesday, May 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

  • Tall ships travel up the Hudson River past New York City bridges as seen from Bayonne, N.J., Wednesday, May 23, 2012. Naval vessels ranging from a U.S. amphibious assault ship to a Finnish minelayer are participating in New York City's Fleet Week. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

  • Military aircraft fly in formation in front of the lower Manhattan skyline and the World Trade Center site as seen from Jersey City, N.J., Wednesday, May 23, 2012. Naval vessels ranging from a U.S. amphibious assault ship to a Finnish minelayer are participating in New York City's Fleet Week. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

  • A ship travels in front of the lower Manhattan skyline as seen from Jersey City, N.J., Wednesday, May 23, 2012. Naval vessels ranging from a U.S. amphibious assault ship to a Finnish minelayer are participating in New York City's Fleet Week. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

  • Tall ships travel up the Hudson River past New York City bridges as seen from Bayonne, N.J., Wednesday, May 23, 2012. Naval vessels ranging from a U.S. amphibious assault ship to a Finnish minelayer are participating in New York City's Fleet Week. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

  • People watch from a pier as a tall ship makes it's way up the Hudson River as seen from Jersey City, N.J., Wednesday, May 23, 2012. Naval vessels ranging from a U.S. amphibious assault ship to a Finnish minelayer are participating in New York City's Fleet Week. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

  • Sailors on the USS Roosevelt stand at attention as they pass the World Trade Center site as seen from Jersey City, N.J., Wednesday, May 23, 2012. Naval vessels ranging from a U.S. amphibious assault ship to a Finnish minelayer are participating in New York City's Fleet Week. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

  • Buque Escuela Arm Cuauhtemoc

    The Buque Escuela Arm Cuauhtemoc, from Mexico, sails by the Statue Of Liberty, in New York, to participate in Fleet Week activities, Wednesday, May 23, 2012. This year's event marks the bicentennial of the War of 1812. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

  • Gloria

    The ARC Gloria, from Columbia, sails by the Statue Of Liberty, in New York, to participate in Fleet Week activities, Wednesday, May 23, 2012. This year's event marks the bicentennial of the War of 1812. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)

  • Two US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron jets, better known as Blue Angels, seen from Liberty State Park in Jersey City, N.J., execute a survey flight over the Statue of Liberty, Monday, April 2, 2012. The two F/A-18 Hornet Fighter Jets, flew practice runs to familiarize and evaluate a potential flight course for the upcoming US Navy War of 1812 commemoration during this year

  • Two US Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron jets, better known as Blue Angels, seen from Liberty State Park in Jersey City, N.J., execute a survey flight over New York City, including the Empire State Building, left, and the Chrysler Building, right, Monday, April 2, 2012. The two F/A-18 Hornet Fighter Jets flew practice runs to familiarize and evaluate a potential flight course for the upcoming US Navy War of 1812 commemoration during this year

  • Plane participating in Fleet Week activi

    Plane participating in Fleet Week activities fly past World Trade Center One May 23, 2012 in New York. AFP PHOTO/DON EMMERT (Photo credit should read DON EMMERT/AFP/GettyImages)

  • Parade Of Ships Kicks Off Fleet Week In NYC

    NEW YORK, NY - MAY 23: People watch as the USS Mitscher (DDG 57) passes on the Hudson River during the Parade of Ships for the start of Fleet Week May 23, 2012 in New York City. Fleet week, which has been held in New York City since 1984, celebrates the U.S. Navy and Marines Corps with a week of ship visitations and military demonstrations. Fleet Week concludes on Memorial Day with a military flyover to honor those killed while serving in the military. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

  • Parade Of Ships Kicks Off Fleet Week In NYC

    NEW YORK, NY - MAY 23: People watch as the USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) passes the Statue of Liberty on the Hudson River during the Parade of Ships for the start of Fleet Week May 23, 2012 in New York City. Fleet week, which has been held in New York City since 1984, celebrates the U.S. Navy and Marines Corps with a week of ship visitations and military demonstrations. Fleet Week concludes on Memorial Day with a military flyover to honor those killed while serving in the military. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

  • Parade Of Ships Kicks Off Fleet Week In NYC

    NEW YORK, NY - MAY 23: People watch from a lawn in Battery Park as the USS Mitscher (DDG 57) passes the Statue of Liberty on the Hudson River during the Parade of Ships for the start of Fleet Week May 23, 2012 in New York City. Fleet week, which has been held in New York City since 1984, celebrates the U.S. Navy and Marines Corps with a week of ship visitations and military demonstrations. Fleet Week concludes on Memorial Day with a military flyover to honor those killed while serving in the military. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

  • Parade Of Ships Kicks Off Fleet Week In NYC

    NEW YORK, NY - MAY 23: People watch from a lawn in Battery park as the USS Mitscher (DDG 57) passes the Statue of Liberty on the Hudson River during the Parade of Ships for the start of Fleet Week May 23, 2012 in New York City. Fleet week, which has been held in New York City since 1984, celebrates the U.S. Navy and Marines Corps with a week of ship visitations and military demonstrations. Fleet Week concludes on Memorial Day with a military flyover to honor those killed while serving in the military. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

  • Parade Of Ships Kicks Off Fleet Week In NYC

    NEW YORK, NY - MAY 23: Navy service members watch as the USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) passes the Statue of Liberty on the Hudson River during the Parade of Ships for the start of Fleet Week May 23, 2012 in New York City. Fleet week, which has been held in New York City since 1984, celebrates the U.S. Navy and Marines Corps with a week of ship visitations and military demonstrations. Fleet Week concludes on Memorial Day with a military flyover to honor those killed while serving in the military. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

  • Parade Of Ships Kicks Off Fleet Week In NYC

    NEW YORK, NY - MAY 23: The U.S. Navy Blue Angels fly in formation as they pass over the USS Donald Cook (DDG 75) on the Hudson River during the Parade of Ships for the start of Fleet Week May 23, 2012 in New York City. Fleet week, which has been held in New York City since 1984, celebrates the U.S. Navy and Marines Corps with a week of ship visitations and military demonstrations. Fleet Week concludes on Memorial Day with a military flyover to honor those killed while serving in the military. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)

  • Parade Of Ships

    NEW YORK, NY - MAY 23: Navy Service members watch as a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser passes on the Hudson River during the Parade of Ships for the start of Fleet Week May 23, 2012 in New York City. Fleet week, which has been held in New York City since 1984, celebrates the U.S. Navy and Marines Corps with a week of ship visitations and military demonstrations. Fleet Week concludes on Memorial Day with a military flyover to honor those killed while serving in the military. (Photo by Allison Joyce/Getty Images)