Naval Station Newport Commemorates War of 1812 with Public Concert

NEWPORT, R.I. (NNS) -- Hundreds of spectators crowded onto Dewey Field onboard Naval Station Newport, July 9, to view the Ocean State Tall Ships Festival's Parade of Sail and enjoy music performed by Navy Band Northeast's contemporary pop music group, Rhode Island Sound.

The afternoon concert and noon time parade wrapped up a four-day Tall Ships festival visit to Newport by 14 class A and B full-rigged ships, barques, schooners and brigantines that attracted thousands of visitors.

Naval Station (NAVSTA) Newport personnel were fully engaged in the celebration seizing the opportunity to join with event organizers and commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812.

"We are thankful to the Ocean State Tall Ships organizers for bringing these vessels here to Newport and for inviting us to join the celebration commemorating the War of 1812," said Capt. Douglas Mikatarian, commanding officer, Naval Station Newport, to an audience of 200 gathered in front of the Colony House in Newport's historic Washington Square, July 8, to enjoy a free concert by Navy Band Northeast.

War of 1812 banners and information on the Navy in the Ocean State lined the park and afforded the concert-goers and passers-by an excellent opportunity to brush up on their naval history.

In addition to the banners on the War of 1812 that lined the routes between tall ships throughout the weekend, staff officers and students from the Navy Supply Corps School, Surface Warfare Officers School (SWOS), Naval War College, and Navy Operational Support Center volunteered as ship liaison officers (SLO) between the visiting vessels and Newport/event organizers.

"I had never even seen a Tall Ship so I wanted to get involved," said Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Emanuel Kneeland, NAVSTA Newport security department, who served as a SLO. Kneeland served as a SLO for Unicorn, a ship sailed by an all-female crew who are daughters of U.S. military personnel.

Kneeland and other NAVSTA Newport sailors conducted an "Honors to the Ensign" ceremony, July 8, on Bowen's Wharf, downtown Newport, demonstrating to an audience of 100 festival visitors the meaning of the folds and colors of the American flag.

"I liked the fact that I had three different Tall Ships and got to meet three different crews and learned about each ship," said Lt. Adam Wiseman, a SWOS instructor, who served as a SLO during the festival.

Although not an official OpSail 2012 event, the visit by the Tall Ships to Rhode Island was an excellent opportunity for the Navy to partner with the community. The Navy established its first command in Narragansett Bay in 1869 and is the third largest employer in the state of Rhode Island.

"We're proud of our heritage here in the Ocean State and the relationships we have with our community," Mikatarian said.

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For more news from Naval Station Newport, visit www.navy.mil/local/nsnewport/.