Visiting Sailors bid farewell to Louisville, Kentucky, as Navy Week came to a close, Sunday, Aug. 26.

Throughout the week, Louisville residents and local organizations had an opportunity for personal interaction with U.S. Navy personnel and a close-up view of equipment.

“We highlighted the Navy’s incredible capabilities, its technological innovation, and, most of all, its impressive people,” said Vice Adm. Raquel Bono, director of the Defense Health Agency (DHA), “Being able to spend a week sharing information about the Navy, DHA and Military Health System to business, government and community leaders, and Kentuckians in general, has been a treat.”

Sailors from multiple commands around the country including Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 2, aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), the “Black Lions” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213 and the state’s namesake, the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Kentucky (SSBN 737) participated in Louisville Navy Week.  They spent their time in Louisville connecting with youth groups and joining in community relations projects with local non-profit organizations.

“Our events with the Boys and Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity, and Norton’s Children’s Hospital were all amazing events,” said Cmdr. Kenneth Roman, USS Kentucky’s Blue crew commanding officer. “The children at these events asked amazing questions and we loved to listen to their stories.  We learned a lot about the community while sharing our experiences in the Navy.”

Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Taylor Kuklinski, assigned to USS Nimitz (CVN 68), is a Kentucky native who returned home to take part in her first Navy Week.

“It was different to be here representing the Navy, since this is my home,” said Kuklinski. “It has been rewarding to interact with people as a uniformed member of the Navy.”

This outreach mission allows U.S. towns without a Navy presence learn what the Navy is all about.

“Like most of the middle of the country, Louisville is not a Navy town,” said Bono.

The local community in Louisville was receptive to the interactive opportunities this Nay Week provided. Bono added that there are no large Navy installations nearby, and there is not a large civilian workforce with a direct connection to the military. Yet, Louisville embraced us with warmth and affection.

The Navy Office of Community Outreach uses the Navy Week program to bring Navy Sailors, equipment and displays to approximately 15 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.

For more information on Navy Weeks, visit www.outreach.navy.mil/NavyWeeks/