USS Constitution Sailors Depart for New Orleans Navy Week

By USS Constitution Public Affairs

CHARLESTOWN, Mass. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to USS Constitution will participate in New Orleans Navy Week, April 16-22.

Sailors will kick off their participation with an interactive historical presentation at Bienville High School in Bienville, La.

"We are excited about kicking off the 1812 bicentennial in New Orleans," said Cmdr. Matthew Bonner, Constitution's 72nd commanding officer. "It is such a great city that has welcomed us before, and much like Constitution, played a key role in the war. It is a fantastic opportunity to share the ship's rich history and its Sailors with the people of the city as well as the other ships that are supporting the event."

Sailors will also share their experiences while serving aboard Constitution with Navy Week spectators during events at Gettysburg Pier and at an air show at New Orleans Lakefront Airport.

"Being able to tell the tale of how our Navy began, along with our own ship's history is such an honor," said Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (SW) Conrad Hunt, Constitution's Navy Week leading petty officer. "Especially since New Orleans Navy Week is the official kick-off of the War of 1812 bicentennial commemoration, a war in which Constitution performed victoriously."

Additionally, Constitution Sailors will be participating in a Caps for Kids event in which Navy ballcaps will be given to pediatric cancer patients. Sailors will also serve as the color guard detail at a New Orleans Zephyrs AAA baseball game.

This is the second of eight Navy Weeks Constitution Sailors are scheduled to participate in throughout 2012, celebrating the bicentennial of the War of 1812. They performed similar activities during Phoenix Navy Week, March 26-30.

The primary purpose of Navy Week is to increase Navy awareness by presenting the Navy to Americans who live in cities that normally do not have a significant naval presence. New Orleans Navy Week will showcase the mission, capabilities and achievements of the U.S. Navy and provide residents the opportunity to meet Sailors firsthand.

Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and welcomes more than 500,000 visitors per year. She defended the sea lanes against threat from 1797 to 1855, much like the mission of today's Navy. America's Navy: Keeping the sea free for more than 200 years.

Constitution's mission today is to offer community outreach and education about the ship's history. For more information, visit www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution or www.facebook.com/ussconstitutionofficial.