USS Whidbey Island's Sailors, Marines Take 'Freedom Run' Through Boston

SOUTH BOSTON (CBS) -- The 200 sailors and U.S. Marines of the USS Whidbey Island were hard to miss Sunday morning.

The group of service members, escorted by Boston Police, belted out hardcore marching tunes as they ran the nearly three miles from their dock at North Jetty Pier to Medal of Honor Park in formation.

The USS Whidbey Island is docked in Boston as part of the Sail Boston festivities.

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Once at the park, a moment of silence was held for all of the service members killed in the line of duty--including the seven sailors killed in the USS Franklin collision Saturday.

"Please take a moment and remember those who've fallen," said USS Whidbey Island's commanding officer, Commander Ethan Rule. "I'm sure we all know somebody throughout the years, and how important it is that we're here to do this, to present ourselves in the city of Boston."

Commander Rule said the city has welcomed his sailors and Marines with open arms.

Marine Corporal Marty Joyce is from Boston. He told WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe he's having a great time playing tour guide to fellow service members.

"They've asked me questions, to go everywhere and show them, and they love it," Cpl. Joyce said. "They honestly just want to hear our accents. They want to see Fenway Park a little bit, too."

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Kim Tunnicliffe reports