St. Louis Navy Week 2014 kicked off April 28 with a Mayoral proclamation at Soldier’s Memorial Military Museum in downtown St. Louis.
Vice Adm. William Brown, deputy commander, U.S. Transportation Command, along with Sailors from Navy Band Great Lakes, the local Navy recruiting district and area residents, attended the ceremony.
The Navy Week program is designed to raise awareness about the Navy in areas that traditionally do not have a naval presence and include community relations projects, speaking engagements and media interviews with flag hosts and area Sailors.
“Navy Week St Louis is a reminder to Americans of the great value their Navy brings to securing and protecting America’s interests,” said Brown. “This week you will meet some outstanding men and women who represent all Sailors serving in the U.S. Navy, who are deployed around the world, around the clock defending America at all times.”
St. Louis locals will be able to meet with Sailors from the Leap Frogs, the Blue Angels, USS Constitution (the world’s oldest commissioned warship), USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit, and Navy Band Great Lakes.
Senior Navy leaders also participating in events throughout the week include Rear Adm. Katherine Gregory, commander, Naval Facilities Engineering Command, and Rear Adm. Rebecca McCormick-Boyle, chief of staff, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery.
St. Louis Navy Week will bring with it several assets to demonstrate its capabilities to the public. The Leap Frogs (US Navy’s Parachute Team) is planning to make several jumps. Navy Band Great Lakes will perform throughout the week. Sailors from USS Constitution, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 3, will be participating in various outreach events such as community relations projects.
St. Louis Navy Week 2014 is one of six Navy Weeks scheduled to be held this year.
[mappress] Press Release, April 30, 2014; Image: Soldiers’ Memorial