USS Constitution Sailors Participating in Spokane Navy Week

From USS Constitution Public Affairs

SPOKANE, Wash. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to USS Constitution are participating in Spokane Navy Week, May 14-20.

Sailors will kick off their participation with an interactive history presentation about Constitution at Medical Lake Middle School in Medical Lake, Wash. They will also provide presentations at Mountainside and Horizon Middle Schools later in the week.

"Participating in the Spokane Navy Week affords USS Constitution's Sailors the opportunity to present the rich history of the ship to the populous of an area in the United States that may not have any exposure to it," said Lt. Albert R. Sharlow, USS Constitution operations officer. "The ship stands as a symbol of dedication, pride and service for this entire country, and it's our job as members of her crew to promote that message as widely as possible."

Sailors will also share their experiences of serving in the Navy and aboard Constitution to children at Boys and Girls Clubs.

"I hope by participating in this Navy week that we are able to greatly enhance the public's knowledge and appreciation of the U.S. military," said Master-at-Arms 1st Class (EXW/SW) Marina Chavez.

Additionally, Constitution Sailors will support humanitarian projects for organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Second Harvest Food Bank and a Caps for Kids event in which Navy ballcaps will be given to pediatric patients suffering with lifelong or chronic illnesses. They will also serve as the honor guard detail at a Spokane Shock arena football game.

This is the third 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, and New Orleans Navy Week, April 16-22.

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. Spokane 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.