Roanoke, VA - Roanoke Navy Week kicked off in Market Square on Monday and continues through the entire week with service projects, public events, and plenty of opportunities for the entire community to learn more about the capabilities and mission of the U.S. Navy. Roanoke Navy Week coincides with the Lynchburg Regional Airshow, and is designed to give area residents an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people and its importance to national security and prosperity.
“Navy Weeks are designed to help Americans understand that their Navy protects and defends America on the world’s oceans, that their Navy is deployed around the world around the clock, and is ready to defend America at all times,” said Mr. John Wallach, Deputy Director of the Navy Office of Community Outreach, which plans and executes the Navy Week program. “Because the Navy is concentrated primarily on both coasts, we’re challenged to communicate our mission away from fleet concentration areas. That’s where the Navy Week program comes in.”
Additional public events and media opportunities during the week-long celebration include the following. Please follow Twitter @NavyOutreach and Facebook @U.S.FleetForcesBand for updates throughout the week.
Monday, May 16th
• Kick-off and Roanoke City proclamation celebrating Roanoke-Lynchburg Navy Week at City Market in downtown Roanoke. (Public Event)
• Navy sailors visit the Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Virginia, 4:00p.m. (Media Event)
Tuesday, May 17th
• Vehicles, personnel and activities on display at the Virginia Museum of Transportation, 9:00a.m. - 12:00p.m. Admission to the museum is FREE for the day. (Public Event)
• U.S. Fleet Forces Fleet Jazz Combo will perform a stand-alone jazz concert on the lawn of the Roanoke City Main Library at 11:45 a.m. (Public Event)
Wednesday, May 18th
• Rear Admiral Fung and Navy personnel wreath laying ceremony at National D-Day Memorial, 9:00a.m. (Public Event)
• Navy sailors and Rear Admiral Fung volunteer at Habitat for Humanity project. (Media Event)
• Navy band and EOD personnel demonstrations at Patrick Henry High School. (Media Event)
• Navy Caps for Kids program at Carilion Children’s Hospital, 3:00p.m. (Media Event)
• Navy EOD and divers public demonstration at Hunting Hills Country Club Pool,
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Public Event)
Thursday, May 19th
• Personnel and demonstrations inside Center in the Square, 9:00a.m. - 12:00p.m. Navy assets including the Explosive Ordnance Group, Navy Band, sailors from USS John Warner (SSN 785) and Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 2 will visit for a day of community outreach. (Public Event)
• U.S. Fleet Forces Woodwind Quintet will perform in the atrium of the Taubman Museum of Art at 11:30 a.m. (Public Event)
• Navy EOD and additional personnel provide demonstrations at William Flemming High School, 1:00 p.m. (Media Event)
• Commander of the U.S. John Warner visits with Black Dog Salvage, 3:30 p.m.
• Wind Ensemble main concert at Mill Mountain Theater. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. (Public Event)
Friday, May 20th
• McAfee Knob hike with Navy personnel. Leaving parking area at 8:00 a.m. (Public Event)
• Navy Band concerts at local schools, William Fleming High School, Lucy Addison Middle School, and Breckinridge Middle School, 10:00 a.m. (Media Event)
• Navy Night at the Salem Red Sox Game. In addition to the Navy Band Popular (rock) Music Group “Four Star Edition” performing for the pregame festivities at 5:30 p.m. and various demonstrations from Navy personnel, the Navy Leap Frogs will parachute in to kick-off the game! (Public Event)
Saturday, May 21st
• Armed Forces Day 5K at National D-Day Memorial, 7:30a.m. (Public Event)
• Lynchburg Air Show featuring the Blue Angels and Leap Frogs. (Public Event)
• U.S. Fleet Forces Wind Ensemble will perform at Local Color Festival. National Anthem at 11:00 a.m., main concert begins at 3:00 p.m. (Public Event)
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