USS Constitution Sailors to Participate in New Orleans Navy Week

From USS Constitution Public Affairs

CHARLESTOWN, Mass. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to USS Constitution will participate in New Orleans Navy Week in New Orleans May 5-14.

Sailors will kick off their participation with two days of interacting with spectators of the N'awlins Air Show 2011.

In keeping with tradition, the crew will provide naval history lessons at area high schools. They will also support Habitat for Humanity and Beacon of Hope humanitarian projects, and provide color guard services at a New Orleans VooDoo football game and New Orleans Zephyrs baseball game.

"I hope that we are able to further educate the public on the history of USS Constitution as well as our role as modern Navy Sailors aboard America's Ship of State," said Lt. Cmdr. Stephen Shirley, USS Constitution executive officer, who will be leading his team of five Sailors during Navy Week. "Our Sailors are not only interpretive historians, but also very much involved in the modern Navy's mission of being a global force for good."

Additionally, they will give Navy ball caps to children during a Caps for Kids event at Ochsner Medical Center and meet with members of the Japan Society of New Orleans.

"This event will link the Japan Society of New Orleans with U.S. Navy Sailors to recognize our continued support for Japan overseas, as we help them recover and rebuild from the earthquake," said Shirley. "I served four years in Japan, and I'm anxious to be a part of the U.S. Navy's continued support to the Japanese people."

This is the third Navy Week Constitution Sailors will participate in 2011. They participated in Tampa Bay Navy Week in January, and Austin Navy Week in March.

"We're continuing to do a lot of great things, tying the Navy of the past through history presentations with the Navy of today, being a global force for good through community outreach," said Master-at-Arms Seaman Gary Matthias. "We're a unique command with a role unlike others. It's a responsibility I'm proud to have taken on."

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 first hand.

Constitution is located in the Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston and is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat. The ship welcomes more than 500,000 visitors each year.