. >> reporter: but helmer was not dead he was actually alive and well. having hitchhiked to stockholm sweden. a journey of over 1,000 miles. as he told the swedish newspaper, he took on a fake name, got married, fathered three children and even got a job with the swedish government. >> i just waited for until i would get caught. >> reporter: by coming forward so publicly now, hemler hopes his wife and children will not be caught off guard if he is ever arrested. for now though, he is safe in sweden which won't extradite him to the u.s. michelle miller, in new york. >> he hopes to return to the united states soon but the air force says as soon as he leaves sweden he will be taken into custody. >> reporter: good evening there's been plenty to see out here at the harbor. the best view may be from the water taxi and as ron max reports they had record crowds. >> reporter: tall ships and sunshine brought people to the star spangled celebration. thousands got around on the water. >> getting around for the water taxi he's taking us to see some ships. >> reporter