Retired Navy SEALs Swim New York Harbor to Honor Fallen Heroes

On Saturday morning, retired Navy SEALs, along with veterans, first responders and supporters, entered the waters of New York Harbor for the yearly NYC SEAL Swim, a ceremony that celebrates the service and sacrifice of U.S. heroes. Participants such as Brad Geary, Bill Brown and Jimmy May framed the swim as a tribute to the fallen and a celebration of liberty, referencing landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the Empty Sky Memorial.

Brown, the event’s founder, said the setting underscores the nation’s freedoms and the diverse stories of those who arrived seeking a better life. May, who leads the nonprofit Beyond the Brotherhood, recounted his difficult transition to civilian life and the suicide of four former teammates, which inspired the organization’s mission to provide a support network for SEALs. The gathering also welcomed families of the deceased, with Gold Star mother Cindy Dietz expressing how the tradition helps her honor her son, Navy SEAL Danny Dietz, who died in Afghanistan in 2005.