Denver Navy Week 2011 Commences

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

DENVER (NNS) -- Denver Navy Week 2011 officially began with the reading of a proclamation on the steps of Colorado's capitol building May 2.

Colorado's President of the Senate, Brandon C. Shaffer, speaking on behalf of Gov. John Hickenlooper, read the proclamation.

"It is my great honor to read Gov. Hickenlooper's proclamation of Navy Week in Colorado," said Shaffer. "As a former lieutenant in the Navy and a surface warfare officer, I am proud of the Navy Sailors from Colorado serving at home and abroad in defense of our nation."

The Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO), Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Denver and Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Denver are joining forces this week, along with the Navy Parachute Team "The Leap Frogs" and Navy Band Northwest, to provide opportunities for citizens to meet Sailors and learn about the Navy's capabilities.

Denver Navy Week is one of 21 Navy Weeks being held across America in 2011, and Denver's Navy Week is designed to give the people of Colorado an up-close look at the men and women of the U.S. Navy.

The week began with Navy divers from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1, giving demonstrations in the tanks at the Denver Aquarium. The Navy Rock Band "Passage" will also perform at several area schools. Denver Navy Week culminates with Navy participation in the Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival May 7. The parade will be followed by two performances by the Leap Frogs, in Civic Center Park, in downtown Denver.

The week-long schedule of events also includes civic, corporate and educational engagements by Vice Adm. Kevin M. McCoy, commander, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). NAVSEA engineers, builds, buys and maintains the Navy's ships and submarines, and their combat systems.

"We like to take the Navy on the road and talk about America's Away Team," said McCoy. "We want to tell how we're maintaining maritime security, doing humanitarian assistance, as well as participating in combat operations all around the world."

Also speaking throughout the week are Program Executive Officer for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons, Rear Adm. William E. Shannon III; Commander, Carrier Strike Group 10, Rear Adm. Herman A. Shelanski; and Medical Corps, Fleet Surgeon, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Rear Adm. William M. Roberts.

Interactive displays such as the Navy Suburban, a wrapped Navy-themed media center on wheels equipped with video games, and the Navy Simulator, where passengers board a craft that moves in sync with live-action video imagery, will provide additional entertainment during Navy Week events at a variety of locations.