Oklahoma City Navy Week Kicks Off

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class James Vazquez | 170918-N-KB426-618 OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 18, 2017) Musician 1st Class Krista Koester, assigned to Navy Band Southeast’s Rock Band, hands out souvenirs to local Oklahomans at the Oklahoma State Fair during the kickoff of Navy Week Oklahoma City. 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 Communication Specialist 2nd Class James Vazquez/Released)  

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, UNITED STATES

09.18.2017

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class James Vazquez 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

At the event, Oklahoma City Councilman David Greenwell read a proclamation declaring Sept. 18 Navy Day.

“We are extremely happy to have our Navy present here in Oklahoma,” said Greenwell. “Many of Oklahoma’s own have gone on to serve and it is great to see them come back to their communities.”

One of those service members, Command Master Chief Delbert Terrell, Jr., Deputy Director of the Navy's Senior Enlisted Academy and a Kingfisher, Okla., native, was present at the proclamation and explained what it meant to have a Navy presence in town.

“It is important for Oklahomans to know about the Navy and what we do,” said Terrell, who is serving as a senior representative for Navy Week Oklahoma City. “We are here to serve the community and ensure them the Navy is a force ready and capable 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”

Capt. Edward D. McCabe, commodore of Commander, Strategic Communications Wing One Task Force 124, located on Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., was also present alongside Terrell and expressed his gratitude for the support Oklahoma offers the more than 1200 Sailors stationed there.

“More than 25 years ago, Oklahoma welcomed the Navy to Tinker Air Force Base and we couldn’t be more appreciative for all the support we have here,” said McCabe. “We couldn’t do what we do without your help.”

During Navy Week, runs Sept. 18-24, Sailors from the USS Constitution, Navy Band Southeast, Navy Operational Support Center Oklahoma City, and Tinker Air Force Base will be participating and assisting in community relation projects with Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity, and The Children's Hospital at Oklahoma University Medical Center.

Oklahoma City Navy Week is one of only 15 Navy Weeks in 2017 that focus a variety of assets, equipment and personnel in a single city for a weeklong series of engagements designed to bring America's Navy closer to the people it protects.

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit www.outreach.navy.mil.

• Date Taken: 09.18.2017
• Date Posted: 09.20.2017 11:46
• Story ID: 248784
• Location: OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, US