Salt Lake City Navy Week 2017 Comes to a Close

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Nathan Serpico | 170916-N-FT178-117 SALT LAKE CITY (Sept. 14, 2017) USS Constitution Sailors parade the colors during the national anthem at a professional soccer match between Real Salt Lake and the Portland Timbers during Salt Lake City Navy Week 2017. Navy Week programs serve as the principal outreach effort into areas of the country without a significant Navy presence, helping Americans understand that their Navy is deployed around the world, around the clock, ready to defend America at all times. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Nathan K. Serpico/ Released)  

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, UNITED STATES

09.17.2017

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathan Serpico 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

Sailors from USS Constitution, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 1, the Navy’s Parachuting Team - the Leap Frogs, Navy Recruiting District Denver and the office of Navy Community Outreach came from all over the country over to bring an awareness for the Navy to the landlocked state.

“Navy Week in Salt Lake City is a time to learn about, celebrate, and honor the United States Navy,” said Mayor Jackie Biskupski. “They are our friends, family members, neighbors, coworkers, community leaders, and role models. It is my great honor to represent the people of Salt Lake City in expressing our deepest gratitude and respect for all who serve in the United States Navy, and any member of the armed forces. We will never forget your efforts and contributions to keep our families, communities, and country safe.”

Sailors volunteered at the Utah Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity ReStore, as well as visiting local schools and businesses to give the community a look into what the Navy has to offer the country even if not near the water. School visits put an emphasize on science, technology, engineering and technology (STEM) and the importance of it for the future of the country.

“I really enjoy meeting and talking to the students in the schools we visited,” said Chief Navy Counselor Reginald Williams, from Houston, Texas. “One of the students came up to me after a presentation and told me that he was expecting the presentation to be very boring, but by the end of it he couldn’t wait to see what he could do to get more involved in STEM programs at his school. If I can get one student more interested in STEM programs at their school each Navy Week I attend then I am happy.”

Navy Weeks are designed to increase awareness of the Navy’s mission and capabilities by showing Americans who live in cities that do not have a significant naval presence the resources and skills of the Navy. During the week sailors also have an opportunity to give back to the myriad communities that support them by providing manpower to local charitable outreach efforts.

For more news from Navy Office of Community Outreach, visit www.navy.mil/local/navco/
-USN-

• Date Taken: 09.17.2017
• Date Posted: 09.20.2017 12:29
• Story ID: 248625
• Location: SALT LAKE CITY, UT, US