Ship parade kicks off events celebrating 250 years of the US Navy and Marine Corps Updated 5 mins ago A parade of ships streamed up and down the Delaware River beside Philadelphia to kick off a celebration of the 250th birthdays of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Among the ships that took part Thursday were the USS Lassen, the USS Billings and the USS Cooperstown. Thousands of people were expected to attend the boat parade and other anniversary-linked events over the next few days, including a reunion of veterans, a downtown street parade and a concert featuring singer Patti LaBelle, the Navy band and the Marine Corps Drum and Bugle Corps. The events are happening despite the government shutdown that has closed many federal agencies and offices.

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