Navy Week Returns to Salt Lake City

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Steve Carlson, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs

SALT LAKE CITY (NNS) -- Salt Lake City Navy Week, in conjuction with the Utah State Fair, will feature a series of awareness events held in conjuction with the Utah State Fair from Sept. 9-19.

Navy Week returns to Utah for the first time since 2007.

Salt Lake Navy Week will showcase the Navy Parachute Demonstration Team, the "Leap Frogs;" Navy Band Northwest, "Passage;" Navy SEAL Tour, Navy-Theme Wrapped Suburban and other interactive displays during the fair.

Area Sailors will engage in community outreach programs, giving ship ballcaps to kids during "Caps for Kids" events at Primary Children's Hospital and Shriner's Children's Hospital.

Sailors will also give presentations at schools, meet with local corporate, civic and government leaders and visit Wounded Warrior Veterans at the Salt Lake City Veterans Affairs Hospital.

The primary purpose of Navy Week is to increase awareness by showcasing the Navy to Americans who live in cities that normally do not have a significant naval presence. It also gives local citizens the chance to meet Sailors first hand and learn about the latest capabilities and opportunities in the U.S. Navy.

"We have Navy Weeks to show people around the country and here in Salt Lake where their tax dollars are going," said Vice Adm. Kevin M. McCoy, commander, Naval Sea Systems Command.

"There aren't any oceans immediately around Utah, so it's important to actually go out and show people how the men and women of the U.S. Navy are serving and defending throughout the world and the jobs they do, 24/7," said McCoy.

Sailors from the region's Navy Recruiting District, Navy Operational Support Center and Naval Reserve Officer Training Command will also participate during Salt Lake Navy Week, one of 20 Navy weeks planned across America in 2010.