Bluegrass Military Affairs Coalition Online

Navy Week

US Navy Parachute Team with flag 200p.jpg

Navy League of the United States Central Kentucky Council (NLUSCKC) worked in association with the United States Navy to coordinate Louisville Navy Week 2007 (LNW07). LNW07 was a weeklong celebration of the Navy to promote general awareness in the community that is often described as an inland “Fleet Week.” A diverse group of units from the fleet came to Kentuckiana in support. Rear Admiral Lower Half Michael Vitale, Commander, Carrier Strike Group TWO, twelve sailors from USS Louisville (SSN 724), the Navy Parachute Team “Leap Frogs,” Navy Operations Support Center Louisville (NOSC Louisville), Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO), Navy Recruiting District Ohio (NRD Ohio), and Navy Recruiting District Michigan (NRD Michigan) participated.

The uniform for all events was summer whites.

IN THE NEWS
Articles about Louisville Navy Week

"Navy Band Sparks Youth Interest During Louisville Navy Week"
Navy newsstand
NEW ALBANY, Ind. (NNS) -- The Navy Band Midsouth group “Freedom” got some New Albany High School students talking about the Navy after a performance April 18 for Louisville Navy Week.

“It’s the buzz in the hallway right now,” said Lt. Cmdr. Joe Maynard, the school’s senior naval science instructor for Naval Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (NJROTC). “Students are energized and interested [in the Navy].”

“We played rock and roll from old school funk to U2,” said Chief Musician Christopher Griffin of the nine-member band. “We mixed it up. We can do it all.”

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"USS Louisville Sailors Visit School for Navy Week"
Navy newsstand

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (NNS) -- Nearly 400 students at St. Raphael Catholic Elementary School participated in a question and answer session April 18 with members of the crew from USS Louisville (SSN 724) as one of several activities for the Louisville Navy Week.

Students flooded the Sailors with questions like, “How fast can subs go and have you ever fired a torpedo?”

Principal Paul DeZarn presented a school T-shirt to Cmdr. John A. Sager, Louisville commanding officer. He also gave each crew member a medal of St. Raphael, patron saint of travelers.

The crew then presented something special to a young submarine fan. The 10-year-old stood before his peers, seemingly nervous but very excited, as Sager presented him with the submarine’s official coin and a picture of the Louisville.

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"Admiral Trades Aircraft Carrier for Marine Corps Tank"
Navy newsstand

FORT KNOX, Ky. (NNS) -- Rear Adm. Mike C. Vitale normally travels the world aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), but during an April 15 visit to Fort Knox the commander of Carrier Strike Group 2 seemed very comfortable in a M1A1 Abrams tank.

Vitale, a graduate of the University of Louisville, visited nearby Fort Knox while in town as the senior Naval officer during Louisville Navy Week.

"Louisville Cyclist Race in Navy Week Criterium"
Navy newsstand

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (NNS) -- More than 120 participants braved winter-like conditions to compete in the first “Navy Week Criterium” bike race in downtown Louisville on April 15.

The race, organized by Papa John’s Racing Team member and Louisville Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) commanding officer Cmdr. Ward Zauner, was the first official event of the six-day celebration promoting Navy awareness and community relations.

"Navy Drops in at School"
Louisville Courier Journal
19 APR 2007 article
Article no longer available.

"Indiana students see the Navy in action"
Louisville Courier Journal
18 APR 2007 article
Article no longer available.

NAVY WEEK 2007 PHOTO GALLERY

SUBMARINE BIRTHDAY BREAKFAST
On April 11, 2007, the United States Submarine Force celebrated 107 years of silent service to our nation. RDML Vitale and the Navy League honored our submarine veterans and current Sailors with a Submarine Birthday Breakfast sponsored by United States Submarine Veterans Louisville Chapter (SUBVETS) at NOSC Louisville, 5401 Southside Drive, Louisville, KY, on Saturday, April 14, 2007, from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM. The wonderful folks from USA Cares prepared and served a pancakes and sausage or bacon, as well as collecting donations of athletic gear for Operations Slugger II (http://www.usacares.us/slugger/index.htm). Admission is $10, with 30% of proceeds were donated to SUBVETS to assist them in installing a Mk 14 Torpedo memorial to the silent service in Jeffersontown. An additional 30% will support U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Louisville Division and League Cadet Training Ship Western Middle School, while another 30% will be presented to the NOSC’s morale, welfare, and recreation fund. Walk-ins were accepted, but RSVPs were requested by Thursday, April 12, 2007 to psetters@gmail.com.

NAVY WEEK CRITERION
Navy League sponsored a bike race at Waterfront Park, Louisville, April 15, 2007, starting at 10:00 AM. With loads of prizes and special guests, this was one event that was fun for the entire family. For more information, visit: http://www.kyanaseries.com/race6.htm.

LOUISVILLE ARMED FORCES COMMITTEE APRIL LUNCHEON
The Louisville Armed Forces Committee met for lunch at the Frazier International History Museum, 829 W. Main Street, Louisville, on Tuesday, April 17, 2007. RDML Vitale was the guest speaker. The social program started at 11:30 AM with lunch at Noon. The cost was $10 and the favor of a reservation was requested to Captain Clyde Green at (502) 426-7248 no later than April 13.

WELCOME ABOARD
Navy friend O’Shea’s Pub, 956 Baxter Avenue, sponsored a no-host “Welcome Aboard” party for Navy personnel in the area. Festivities began at 7:00 PM, Tuesday, April 17, 2007, and uniform were requested.

NAVY LEAGUE RECEPTION
NLUSCKC hosted a gratis reception for our maritime services, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Thursday, April 19, 2007, a the Jefferson Club, 2900 PNC Plaza, 500 West Jefferson Street. With local commercial, civic and government leaders in attendance, the reception was the perfect time to display support for our nation’s armed services. USA Cares collected donations for Operation Slugger II, and the brief program featured remarks by Major General Donald Storm, The Adjutant General of Kentucky, as well as RDML Vitale. Captain Greg Reinhardt received rsvps for the event at captaingreg@insightbb.com. Uniforms were requested. The reception ended promptly at 7:00 PM to allow distinguished visitors to disperse for their evening events.

LEAP FROGS PRACTICE JUMP
The Navy Parachute Team made a practice jump on to the Great Lawn, Louisville Waterfront, at 3:00 PM, Friday, April 20, 2007, in preparation for Thunder Over Louisville. This was an excellent time to meet the team and see them land up close and personal.

USA CARES/NAVY NIGHT AT THE BATS
The Navy arrived in force at 6:30 PM, Friday, April 20, 2007, as the Louisville Bats prepared to take on the Norfolk Tides in a AAA baseball game at Slugger Field. The Navy Parachute Team delivered the game ball to RDML Vitale for the ceremonial first pitch, while a vocalist from Navy Band Mid-South will performed the National Anthem.

NAVY ROCKS 4TH STREET LIVE!
The Navy Band Mid-South ensemble “Freedom” rocked 4TH Street Live! in a concert that began at 8:00 PM, Friday, April 20, 2007. People listened to the sound of life and liberty performed by those who defend against all who threaten it. Admission was free and open to the public.

NAVY FIELD DEDICATION
Reserve SEABEES improved a youth baseball field for Mount Washington Boys & Girls Youth Baseball. The organization returned the favor by designating the field “Navy Field” on opening day, 9:00 AM, Saturday, April 21, 2007, in Mount Washington. Featuring a jump by the Navy Parachute Team and ceremonial first pitch by RDML Vitale, the Sailors from USS LOUISVILLE were also on hand to raise the flag.

THUNDER OVER LOUISVILLE
The Navy provided plenty of boom to Thunder Over Louisville on Saturday, April 21, 2007. With aerial demonstrations from F-18s and E/A-6Bs, and an opening jump by the Leap Frogs, Thunder celebrated the excellence of all our armed services. The SEAL Accelerator was on the Waterfront to test. Sailors mingled with the crowd.

Your Support Is Requested
NLUSCKC would like to request your support in two ways.

First, if you were in attendance at Navy Week 2007 your attendance is appreciated.

Second, the favor of a financial contribution will greatly help to offset the expenses of Navy Week and future support activities. NLUSCKC is an IRS designated 501(c)3, non-profit, educational organization, and all contributions are deductible to the full extent of the law. Checks should be made out to NLUSCKC and designated to Navy Week/Adopt-A-Sailor. Please mail contributions to Mr. James Wyrick, 2257 Mangrove Drive, Lexington, KY 40513.

Current levels of the Sea Services Circle of Support are as follows:
$100 – Link Circle
$250 – Chain Circle
$500 – Anchor Circle
$1,000 – Flag Circle
$2,500 – Fleet Circle
$5,000 – Chief of Staff - Navy Week Title

Summary of Navy Week 2006.