The California State Fair's Military Appreciation Day started with an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, assigned to the "Scorpions" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49, landing on the front lawn of the fairgrounds July 19.

The state fair hosts a military appreciation day every year that focuses on showing immense appreciation and gratitude for the organizations that keep the United States safe.

The day kicked off with Rear Admiral Brian Pecha, MC Reserve Fleet Surgeon, U.S. Fleet Forces command, delivering remarks at the opening ceremony where Navy Band Northwest performed alongside of the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard.

Even though the temperature reached triple digits in the fairgrounds, that didn't damper the mood of the people who came to talk about the Navy.

"It's a beautiful day to be outside and engaging with the community," said Louise McKernan, the regional director west for the U.S. Naval Academy. "The academy is excited to be here at the California State Fair to hopefully increase awareness about the opportunities that are available to the youth of the greater Sac area."

Some of the activities that happened throughout the day were an MRE cook-off, a showcase of real military vehicles, performances by Navy Band Northwest and the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard Drill Team, and nine future Sailors recited the oath of enlistment on the Promenade Stage.

"To enlist on stage was a great experience that I will never forget," said Orion Tinker. "To be recognized and for people to appreciate me was an indescribable feeling."

"I enlisted into the Navy to be able to learn a trade as well as attend college and travel," said Malachi Peterson. "But I never thought that I would be enlisting in front of so many people. The best part of the stage enlistment was by far the reaction from the crowd and hearing their support while I was up there."

Seeing the future Sailors make their commitment to the Navy was not lost on the crowd.

"It's important in that the state fair recognizes and honors the veterans that have served," said former Radioman 2nd Class Theodore Daniels. "But it is also important to recognize the men and women who will continue to keep this country safe in the future."

According to the California State Fair website, more than 670,000 people attended the fair in 2017.

The Navy Office of Community Outreach uses the Navy Week program to bring Navy Sailors, equipment and displays to approximately 14 American cities each year for a week-long schedule of outreach engagements designed for Americans to experience firsthand how the U.S. Navy is the Navy the nation needs.

Perhaps the best way to sum up the day is in the words of 12-year-old Kylan Lynch, "It was awesome!"


For more information about Sacramento Navy Week, visit http://outreach.navy.mil/Navy-Weeks/Sacramento/

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

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For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.