Navy Week Concludes with Spokane Lilac Festival Torchlight Parade

By Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Susan Hammond, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs

May 18, 2010 - SPOKANE, Wash. (NNS) -- More than 160,000 people from Spokane, Wash., surrounding communities and visitors attended the 72nd Spokane Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade May 15.

The parade was the conclusion of Spokane Navy Week during which the Navy Office of Community Outreach, Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Seattle and Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Spokane joined forces to showcase the Navy May 10-15.

Spokane Navy Week, anchored alongside Spokane's Lilac Festival, was one of 20 Navy Weeks being held across the United States in 2010.

"It's a privilege and honor to have the Navy with us this week," said Spokane Mayor Mary Verner. "The city wants to honor and thank the Navy and all our military."

Highlighting the Navy's participation in the festival, Vice Adm. Bruce W. Clingan, deputy chief of naval operations for Operations, Plans and Strategy (N3/N5), served as an honorary grand marshal of the Lilac Festival Parade. Clingan also made appearances at the Spokane Sea Services Museum, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 51 and NOSC Spokane May 15.

"I am privileged to serve with you," said Clingan, addressing the Navy Reservists at NOSC Spokane. "You have a vocal advocate for your service and your needs."

Clingan and Rear Adm. James A. Symonds, commander, Navy Region Northwest, also participated in several engagements earlier in the week.

Clingan helped judge a car show during festival activities in Riverside Park in downtown Spokane. He was also interviewed by radio personalities broadcasting live in the park.

Navy Region Northwest's rock band, "Passage," entertained park visitors prior to the parade, and a Navy simulator, featuring live-action Navy films programmed to move in sync with point-of-view imagery presented on a large screen, provided additional entertainment.

Spokane's Navy Week was packed with Navy Band concerts, civic, corporate and area school engagements and history presentations, as well as other community service projects supported by Sailors from USS Constitution, NOSC Spokane and NRD Seattle. Sailors volunteered at the regional food bank and helped at a Habitat for Humanity job site.