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Navy Showcases Maritime Strategy, Newest Namesake Submarine in 'Show-Me' State

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS100512-03
5/12/2010

By Lt. Damita Woolridge and Chief Mass Communication Specialist Steve Johnson, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (NNS) -- Kansas City Navy Week April 26-May 2 was a week of parades, speeches, volunteering, tours and concerts, all aimed at bringing new understanding of the Navy's role in defending Americans around the world.

Dozens of events helped shape the week including a 'Navy Night' celebration with the Kansas City Royals; a community relations project when Sailors worked with Habitat for Humanity to restore a home; personal visits with children in clinics, as well as with veterans recuperating at the local Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center; free music concerts by the Navy Band Mid South "Freedom"; and site visits to industries headquartered in the Kansas City metro area.

Kansas City Navy Week proved to be a celebration that offered area residents multiple opportunities to meet Sailors and learn about the Navy's critical mission and broad capabilities.

Rear Adm. Michael E. McLaughlin, commander, Submarine Group 2, served as the Navy's senior representative during Kansas City Navy Week, and visited several regions throughout the state including Navy League chapters and business groups. McLaughlin also met with with Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon.

"What happens on the oceans is very important to American security and prosperity," McLaughlin said. "It's important to the preservation of American jobs. It's important to keeping the peace worldwide. Most fundamentally, it's important to our national defense. For all of these reasons, we need to be able to protect ourselves on, under, and over the oceans. That's what the Navy does."

McLaughlin sought to raise awareness about the newest Virginia-class attack submarine. that will be commissioned USS Missouri (SSN 780) July 31 during a ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn.

McLaughlin said establishing a bond between the state and the submarine crew is essential.

"The ship's crew absolutely loves feeling that pride of ownership that the people of Missouri have, and I think it really motivates the crew to do their job the very best that they can," McLaughlin said.

The week offerd several venues for the public to engage Sailors.

Sailors lined the bases of Kauffman Stadium prior to the Royals' game against the Seattle Mariners after Rear Adm. McLaughlin threw out the ceremonial first pitch. In the third inning, he was interviewed by Fox4 TV sportscasters, viewed by thousands of Royals fans throughout the Kansas City metro area.

The Mayor of Kansas City, Mark Funkhouser, presented a Navy Week proclamation to McLaughlin at the National World War l Museum. Afterwards, McLaughlin honored a Pearl Harbor survivor and then swore in Navy recruits who are in the Navy's Delayed Entry Program.

The Kansas City city council unanimously approved a resolution to honor Sailors and their families returning home from mobilizations. A Navy representative addressed the weekly meeting of the Eggs & Enlightenment Forum to discuss diversity within the Navy and career opportunities available today.

McLaughlin also discussed diversity and Navy career opportunities with members of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City. Navy officers visited area colleges to encourage students to pursue engineering careers within the Navy. Sailors from across the state served lunch to more than 500 people at the Kansas City Community Kitchen.

"I think it's very important that we're out here in the community," said Cmdr. Joseph Degrandi, commanding officer of Navy Operational Support Center, Kansas City. "It shows our level of commitment to our country. He said the support that Sailors get back from the community is overwhelming.

"People love the Navy here in Kansas City. The folks here really appreciate seeing our Navy folks in uniform around town. You can't go anywhere without somebody thanking you for your service."

As Kansas City Navy Week came to a close, the annual Sound of Speed Air Show held north of Kansas City in St. Joseph ramped up.

The Navy Blue Angels flight demonstration team stole the show with its precision high-flying demonstrations for 40,000 air show visitors. It was the first time in 25 years that the Blue Angels had performed at the air show, according to air show officials.

In addition, the Navy F/18 Flight Simulator gave hundreds of show attendees the virtual experience of being in the cockpit of Navy aircraft. Meanwhile, Navy recruiters from Navy Recruiting District St. Louis visited with a steady stream of poeple eager to learn more about career opportunities in the Navy.

The Blue Angels "Fat Albert" C-130 flew over the Kansas Speedway May 9 during aerial maneuvers, and was cheered on by an estimated audience of 82,000.

Kansas City Navy Week was one of 20 Navy Weeks planned across America in 2010. Navy Weeks are designed to show Americans the investment they have made in their Navy and increase awareness in cities that do not have a significant Navy presence.