Milford hosts Naval Academy students

Milford (WTNH) - Sailors from the U.S. Naval Academy Offshore Sail Training Squadron are celebrating Independence Day in Milford as part of their training mission.

The Midshipmen, or students at the U.S. Naval Academy, have come ashore in Milford after a 300-nautical mile sail from Annapolis, Md.

After a 300 mile trip, Kevin Liddy of the U.S. Naval Academy said it's comforting to have such a warm welcome.

"Four days on a boat without a shower, you need a shower," said Liddy. "So, [the students] are very happy be here. And, the yacht club opened up the swimming pool to cool them off also."

The boats docked at the Milford Landing Friday and the Midshipmen have enjoyed a ton of events since then. One such event was the "Honoring our Heroes" ceremonies they participated in before Westfield Connecticut Mall's Independence Day Fireworks Display Friday night. On Sunday evening, the Milford Yacht Club will host the Midshipmen for a private reception and dinner.

During their stay, the Midshipmen are welcoming the public onto their boats for an in-depth look at their daily life out at sea.

After three days of good food, a stay with a host family and a warm welcome from the Milford community, it's back on the open water.

The group ships out on Monday morning at 8 a.m.

For more information about the U.S. Naval Academy, visit their website at www.usna.edu