Guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57) and guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 102) will participate in Portland Rose Festival in Portland, Oregon, June 5-9, to celebrate the 105th Rose Festival.
The US Navy ships are the first to return to the Portland Rose Festival since 2012. Budget uncertainty caused by sequestration prevented Navy ships from participating in 2013.
“It’s really important to our organization that we honor the men and women that serve our country and our veterans as well,” said Portland Rose Festival CEO Jeff Curts.
Additionally, Portland citizens will have opportunities to tour the ships and meet Sailors. Ship tours are scheduled for June 6-8 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Navy warships have been coming to the City of Roses since USS Charleston’s visit in 1907.
U.S. 3rd Fleet leads Naval Forces in the Eastern Pacific from the West Coast of North America to the International Dateline.
[mappress] Press Release, June 05, 2014; Image: Wikimedia