Navy Week Kicks Off in Des Moines

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Kat Smith, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs

April 21, 2010 - DES MOINES, Iowa (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy is participating in the Des Moines Navy Week from April 19-24 in Des Moines, Iowa.

Sailors from the local recruiting district, fleet squadrons and the USS Constitution are gathering in Iowa's capitol to celebrate what the Navy means to Iowa and what Iowa means to the Navy.

Des Moines Navy Week started April 19 when Chief Navy Counselor Joseph Kicinski appeared on WHO-TV's morning news show. Kincinski, a former mess specialist, gave a culinary demonstration and discussed what it's like to prepare meals aboard a submarine.

Cmdr. Anthony Savage, executive officer aboard Constitution and a native of Des Moines, also appeared on WHO-AM radio's "Van & Bonnie" show.

"When I grew up here, I didn't have a strong knowledge of the Navy or what they did," said Savage. "I think sharing the Navy with the students and community is extremely valuable because it expands their scope. When I grew up here, I knew about agriculture and Iowa. I didn't know New England or any other state many of the Sailors I've met are from. With events like this the community gets to interact with us, and I think we enrich their education."

Crew members from Constitution joined Savage on his trip back to Iowa and visited students at Meredith Middle School.

Lt. Chris Yost, a Sailor from Helicopter Maritime Squadron (HSM) 71 and another Iowa native, was one of the Sailors to visit Meridth Middle School.

"It's really great being back after having done what I've done and seen the places I've seen in the Navy," said Yost. "It's great seeing the familiarity of home, and everyone is always so appreciative of what I do."

Sailors educated students and civilians on the "Old Ironsides" ships and aviation at the Iowa Hall of Pride April 20. During the event, Savage accepted a proclamation from Des Moines Mayor Pro Tem Bob Mahaffey on behalf of the Navy. Savage, in turn, presented Mahaffey with a canon shell from the Constitution as a thank you for the support during Des Moines Navy Week.

Future scheduled events for Des Moines Navy Week include performances by the U.S. Navy Leap Frogs Parachute Team, public concerts by Navy Band Great Lakes "Horizon" and visits from senior Navy leaders, such as Rear Adm. Gregory Timberlake, assistant deputy surgeon general for Total Force Integration, and Rear Adm. Randall Hendrickson, deputy director of the Missile Defense Agency.

"I think it's important to give people exposure to the Navy because everyone benefits from it whether they know it or not," said Yost. "I think this interaction makes people more likely to consider service in the Navy even though they may not see ships in the Midwest."

The Des Moines Navy Week is one of 20 weeks planned across the country for 2010. Navy Weeks are designed to bring awareness to communities that don't have a significant Navy presence.