If you want to know more about the Navy the nation needs, the Fargo-Moorhead metro area is the place to be from July 23-27 during a series of outreach events during Fargo-Moorhead Navy Week.

Fargo-Moorhead Navy Week will bring Sailors from different units across the United States to conduct focused outreach with members of the community coinciding with a Fargo AirSho featuring the Navy's flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels.

The Navy Week will bring Sailors from USS Constitution, USS North Dakota, Navy Band Great Lakes, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group One (EODGRU1), the Leap Frogs parachute team, and Navy Recruiting District Fargo. In addition, reserve Sailors who live and work in the area at the Navy Operational Support Center will participate.

The Navy Week's flag host will be Rear Adm. Gene Price, commander, Navy Information Forces Reserve, who will participate in various events and meet with local business, civic and educational leaders during the week.

"I'm looking forward to talking to the people of the Fargo-Moorhead Metro area about the mission of their Navy," said Rear Adm. Price. "We need the support of people from the center of the country, places like Fargo-Moorhead, if we are to continue to provide the most responsive and present maritime force the world has ever known. This week is about explaining to the good people of Fargo what exactly they get for their support, what they can expect from their Navy team, and give them the opportunity to interact with the dedicated Sailors who are making many good things happen. I'm excited about the week and excited to reintroduce the Fargo-Moorhead Metro to their U.S. Navy team."

In partnership with corporate, civic, government, education, media, veterans, community service and diversity organizations, the Navy Office of Community Outreach has coordinated events throughout the area.

"We are happy to have the opportunity to return to Fargo-Moorhead for Navy Week because of the incredible reception we have received in the past," said Fargo-Moorhead Navy Week Lead Planner, Lt. Mack Jamieson. "This week is going to have band concerts, STEM demonstrations and the air show, but the most important event is going to be connecting the people of Fargo with their Sailors."

Multiple musical groups from Navy Band Great Lakes are scheduled to perform at various venues in both Fargo and Moorhead, Minnesota, including: USS Robalo Memorial Wreath Laying, Sanford Children's Hospital, Wind Ensemble in historic Fargo Theater, with final appearances at the Fargo AIRSHO Saturday and Sunday.

"We're like the cheerleaders at a pep rally before the big game," said Audra Ratliff, leading chief petty officer of Navy Band Great Lakes. "Our goal is to wave the Navy flag with the great people of Fargo-Moorhead metro, promulgating pride and patriotism in an area that rarely has the chance to see their Navy at work. Through music, we aim to celebrate the American spirit that continues to inspire patriots from North Dakota, Minnesota, and across the country to wear the uniform of a United States Sailor. We will inspire the young - and the young at heart, honor local heroes and veterans, and remind our fellow citizens of those currently defending our freedom around the world, around the clock."

In addition, EODGRU1 Sailors from San Diego will perform STEM events at Sanford Children's Hospital, Boys and Girls Clubs and YMCA camps.

"The Navy EOD community is looking forward to attending Fargo-Moorhead Navy Week and sharing a glimpse into the lives of explosive ordnance disposal technicians and Navy divers," said Lt. Kara Yingling, public affairs officer of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1. "We're especially excited for the opportunity to meet the local youth and show them our equipment, explain our jobs, how we contribute to national defense here in America and overseas."

Sailors from USS Constitution, the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat, and a ship that actively defended sea lanes against global threats from 1797 to 1855, will come dressed in uniforms from the 1800s to provide educational interactions about the ship's history and current activities to numerous schools in the area.

Fargo-Moorhead Navy Week is the 8th of 14 Navy weeks in 2018 that focus a variety of assets, equipment and personnel on a single city for a week-long series of engagements designed to bring America's Navy closer to the people it protects.

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit www.outreach.navy.mil.

Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/navyoutreach and www.twitter.com/navyoutreach.

#NavyWeek