Cousins Seeing the Tall Ships, watching fireworks and learning more about the history of the United States were all important, exciting and the best thing about the day before the 250th anniversary of the United States.
But for eight-year-old Athan McNamee, seeing his cousin fly a Navy helicopter into Liberty State Park and then sitting with him in it made July 3, 2026 a day to remember.
Actually, it was Athan’s second cousin who flew the helicopter into Liberty State Park, then was present Friday for a static display at the Jersey City park enabling visitors to see what the helicopter looks like up close and get t to know crew members and why they chose careers in naval aviation.
Lieutenant Angus J Yeoman, is the son of Chris and Tracie Yeoman of Bayville and is first cousin to Athan’s dad, Trey McNamee. Trey and his wife, Jamie, and their children Brynleigh and Athan live in South Plainfield. When they heard Angus would be part of the naval aviation group coming up from Norfolk, Virginia to be part of the 250th celebrations, they cancelled plans to see the tall Ships and opted to see Lieutenant Yeoman come into Liberty Park.
“It was a great time!” an enthusiastic Jamie said at the end of the day. “ The kids really enjoyed seeing Angus fly and see the helicopter and learning about it with him! I am jealous about missing out on the ships, but seeing Angus was worth it.
Yeoman, who is a graduate of the University of South Carolina and has been in the Navy five years, studied naval aviation training both in Pensacola, Florida and Norfolk, where he is currently stationed and is certified to fly the Navy SH60 . The Sikorsky MH-60S , or Seahawk is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission United States Navy helicopter and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family. It is used for anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, drug interdiction, anti-ship warfare, cargo lift, and special operations.
A fleet of aviators from Norfolk are in the New Jersey area for the 250th celebrations and to give demonstrations an offer displays for the general public.
Entering third grade at the John F. Kennedy School in South Plainfield, has also kept Athan knowledgeable of military service and what the men and women in all branches of he service do. Annually the school has special day long services, inviting military personnel to come to the school and meet with the students.
When Athan learned his cousin would be in the state along with his helicopter, he wanted to be sure to see him. He said he wanted to go to Liberty Park simply “because Angus was flying.”
And that was the most fun of the day, he enthused. Asked how he thought his cousin looked in a helicopter, Athan simply answered “Cool.
He made no mistake about answering how he thought Angus learned to fly however. He said he learned flying “going to flying classes … a lot of them”
Even with all the excitement, Athan isn’t certain whether he would like to fly helicopters like his cousin himself. He thought a minute, than responded, “ Yes and no, because flying is cool, but no because I am not sure that is what I want to do.”
He does have a few favorite helicopters though. Athan can tell you that while Angus’ Seahawk is his favorite, he also liked the Romeo “and the last one I saw, but I don’t remember the name of it.”
Tall Ships can wait for another celebration.
Athan’s younger sister, Brynleigh also shared her own feelings about her cousin flying a helicopter over Liberty Island on the nations’ 250th anniversary.
Brynleigh, who will be starting kindergarten at the Kennedy school in September, said the reason she went to Liberty Park was because “my mom told me it was time to go to the park!. ” But once there, she said “going into Angus’s helicopter was the most fun.” And Angus looked good, she said, but added, “because he was in uniform.” She admits she doesn’t know how her cousin learned to fly helicopters but said “maybe it was some work.” All the same, and as proud as she is of her cousin, flying helicopters is not in Brynleigh’s future plans. “No, I do not want to fly helicopters, I just want to get another job.” And as far as a longer interview at the end of a long day of heat and excitement, Brynleigh said, “I’m done. I’m tired.”
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