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Sacramento Embraces Navy Week

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080313-12
Release Date: 3/13/2008 3:49:00 PM

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Dave Kaylor, Navy Region Southwest Public Affairs

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (NNS) -- As the Navy's F-18 flight simulator eased into a parking lot at Sacramento's Arden Fair Mall on March 9, the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO), the San Francisco Navy Recruiting District (NRD), and the Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Sacramento officially launched Sacramento Navy Week.

The week of planned events and activities in the Golden State is one of 21 planned across the nation in 2008 to show Americans the investment they made in their Navy and to increase awareness in cities without a significant Navy presence.

The grand finale of the week is the California Capital Airshow featuring the Navy Flight Demonstration Team, the Blue Angels. The arrival of the flight simulator means anyone in the Sacramento area can soar with the Blue Angels without ever leaving the ground.

Landing that same day in Sacramento was Navy Week's ambassador, Rear Adm. John Clarke Orzalli, commander, Regional Maintenance Centers.

"I volunteered to be the flag officer in support of Sacramento Navy Week, because I was born right here in the Sacramento Valley and I thought I would enjoy interacting with the community," said Orzalli. "I was a little apprehensive at first because I never really lived here. But, when I was presented with the key to the city of Rancho Cordova, I really felt like a native son of the golden West."

The "key" from Rancho Cordova Mayor Linda Budge, was just one of many open arms extended to the admiral and the Navy over the first two days. Sacramento Mayor Heather Fargo and the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors each issued proclamations declaring March 9-16 Sacramento Navy Week.

"There are some communities that merely accept the Navy and others that support it," said Orzalli. "The fine citizens and leaders of Sacramento have embraced the Navy."

Local Sailors from the local NOSC and NRD gave residents good reason to embrace the Navy as volunteers from both paid a "Caps for Kids" visit to UC Davis Children's Hospital and the Northern California Shriners Hospital for Children.

In addition, NOSC Sailors will be spending the week at a Habitat for Humanity worksite in one of Sacramento's northern suburbs.

All four local television networks and radio stations hosted the admiral along with Navy Band Southwest on the first two days of Navy Week in an effort to get the word to the public.

The admiral was interviewed live on every major local morning newscast and the band was given an unprecedented 15-minutes of airtime on a local morning magazine show.

Navy Band Southwest shared the spotlight across the area at local high schools with the flight simulator and the Navy Suburban, an SUV loaded with Navy interactive video games.

Later in the week, the band and the flight simulator will be joined by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Dive Tank, SEAL Motivators, and of course, the Blue Angels - a blueprint for fun designed to give folks in Sacramento a glimpse into the Navy of today and the future focusing on the its role in the world.

"I had such an easy message to carry on the traditional and new roles of the Navy," said Orzalli. "I was reminded of the three ships named for Sacramento, but recent experience here in California really hit home regarding the importance of humanitarian disaster relief and the impact we make on our citizens right here at home."

Sacramento's warm welcome to the admiral and the Navy promises a week of events and activities all should remember long after the Blue Angels move on to their next great performance.

For more news from Navy Region Southwest, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnrsw.