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Houston Navy Week Runs Deep In The Heart Of Texas
Story Number: NNS091026-17
Release Date: 10/26/2009 4:58:00 PM
By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Steve Johnson, Navy Office of Community Outreach
HOUSTON, Texas (NNS) -- Houston welcomed Sailors from the Navy's newest aircraft-carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) during the opening weekend of Houston Navy Week Oct. 24.
The Sailors were guests of honor at festivals, professional football games, and were personally greeted by former President George H.W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States, whom their ship is named after.
Houston served up Texas-size hospitality to the Navy: The Sailors attended the 16th annual Ballunar hot air balloon festival; they got a behind-the-scenes private tour of the Johnson Space Center facilities; and they were showcased during Military Appreciation Day at the Houston Texans football game.
Navy Capt. "Chip" Miller, commanding officer of the USS George H.W. Bush, expressed his appreciation for the outpouring of support toward him and his crew from the residents of Houston.
"I think it was just absolutely amazing. Everybody here at NASA opened the doors with their open house and gave us a nice special tour," he said. "It was very educational. I know that everybody on my crew that was a part of it thoroughly enjoyed it. Then, to be a part of everything that's happening at Houston Navy Week, it's been very, very special."
Johnson Space Center Director Mike Coats, himself a retired Navy captain, introduced the Bush crew Saturday night to the Ballunar balloon festival crowd on stage prior to the U.S. Navy Band New Orleans' concert. Earlier in the day the crew had toured the Johnson Space Center's mission control centers that monitor space shuttle flights and operations aboard the International Space Station, as well as a mock-up training facility where NASA astronauts train for upcoming missions.
Kay Hire works as an astronaut at NASA, and she also is a Navy captain the Navy Reserve. She says Navy Week in Houston offers citizens of her city the chance to show Sailors how much their service means to them.
"Anytime there are Navy functions held here in Houston, we have Navy fans just come out of the woodwork," she said. "It's just wonderful seeing the tremendous support we get in this area."
A historic meeting took place on field at the Houston Texans game this past Sunday, as two former U.S. Presidents -- George H.W. Bush and his son, George W. Bush -- took the field along with Rear Adm. Mark Skinner, Capt. "Chip" Miller, the commanding officer of the USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) and Command Master Chief John Heck, for a ceremonial coin toss at the start of the game. Prior to the game both presidents greeted the Sailors, thanking them for their service.
Command Master Chief John Heck said the crew was overwhelmed by the response he and his crew received in Houston.
"I'm very proud to be in uniform today," he said. "We're all here for our shipmates. We're all here to demonstrate to the public who we are, what we're about and what we represent. I for one do not regret a single day in my 28 years in the Navy. I'm very proud to serve and very humbled by the experience, and I look forward to seeing a lot more this week."
The Navy took to the airwaves to get the Navy story out to the public. During Houston Navy Week, Skinner is scheduled to meet with the editorial board of the Houston Chronicle to discuss the U.S. Navy Global Maritime Strategy; appear on radio and television news programs to talk about Houston Navy Week; speak to local Chambers of Commerce, college campuses and civic groups; and attend local schools in the Houston area to share his personal Navy story with students.
It is a special homecoming for Skinner, who is considered a local hometown hero here. Skinner is a native of Houston, Texas. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in June 1977, and was designated a naval aviator in 1979. In 2004, Skinner was selected to flag rank and was named Commander, Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division and Assistant Commander, Test and Evaluation, Naval Air Systems Command. He assumed his current position as Program Executive Officer, Tactical Aircraft Programs in October 2007.
Houston Navy Week is one of 21 Navy Weeks held across the country in 2009. Navy Weeks are designed to show Americans the investment they have made in their Navy and increase awareness in metropolitan areas that do not have a significant Navy presence.
Major events planned for Houston Navy Week include:
-- First Tee golf outing Navy community relations event (COMREL)
-- A "Caps For Kids" visit at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston
-- A Habitat For Humanity home building project
-- Free public concerts by Navy Band New Orleans at the Houston Texans' football game, area high schools and college campuses.
-- Meetings with with the Southeast Asian and Arab United Chambers of Commerce, as well as other diversity events
-- Rear Adm. Skinner presentations to civic organizations, business leaders, and Navy League officials
-- Blue Angels flight demonstrations at the Wings Over Houston Air show Oct. 31-Nov. 1.
At the end of the day, though, Navy officials agreed that it was the big-hearted warmth expressed by thousands of Texas citizens which made the Sailors of Houston Navy Week feel like they were right at home.
"Positive military support has never been a problem here. People in Houston have always been very supportive of the military. Whenever I'm in uniform in town, I'll have people come up to me, shake my hand, and thank me for my service," she said. "Houston is a wonderful city to be a part of when you're in the military," Navy Cmdr. Melanie O'Brien, the commanding officer of Navy Recruiting District, Houston.
For more news from the Navy Office of Information, visit www.navy.mil/local/navco.
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