Sailors from commands across the U.S. are gathered in southern Mississippi to kick of Mississippi Gulf Coast Navy Week April 1.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Navy Week coincides with the state's bicentennial celebration, as well as the annual "Seabee day" at Naval Construction Battalion Center Gulfport. The week-long celebration, from April 1-8, began with the Mississippi Bicentennial Celebration held in Gulfport at Centennial Plaza.

The day's festivities started with the Parade of Cities and Counties, which featured the Navy Band Southeast marching band, and Rear Adm. Timothy C. Gallaudet, commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command.

Immediately following the parade, Rear Adm. Gallaudet joined local state and city officials, including Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant, Sen. Roger Wicker, and Gulfport Mayor Billy Hewes on stage to receive the official Navy Week commencement proclamation from Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant during an opening ceremony.

"The Navy has been a presence here as long as any of us can remember," said Bryant. "We're honored today to recognize them with a proclamation"

Bryant, then read the proclamation to the assembled crowd and presented the proclamation to Gallaudet.

Following Bryant's remarks, Wicker, an Air Force veteran, thanked service members in attendance and spoke of the strong community ties the Gulfport area has with the military.

"We honor all of our service men and women, active duty, former active duty and retired, and today we are proud to proclaim Navy Week," said Wicker "The Seabees and the Navy have been on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for 75 years and we're going to be proud to have them there for another 75 years."

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Gallaudet thanked the entire Mississippi Gulf Coast region for the hospitality they have shown service members in the area. He then recognized crew members from the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Mississippi (SSN 782), who are representing the ship during Navy Week, before thanking the community for its commitment to the military.

"I want to thank the great state of Mississippi for supporting our great Navy" said Gallaudet. "You've been a great host for the assets down here and with that, I think we're going to have a great future relationship that will get stronger ahead."

As part of the Mississippi Bicentennial Celebration and Mississippi Gulf Coast Navy Week. Members of the community were given the opportunity to meet Sailors from commands including Underwater Construction Unit Team 1, Naval Oceanographic Office, Navy Recruiting District New Orleans, Naval Construction Group 2, Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School, and others who provided exhibits and demonstrations.

The Mississippi Gulf Coast is one of 15 locations selected for the 2017 Navy Week outreach program. Throughout the coming week Sailors will participate in a variety of events from local school visits to parachute performances conducted by the Navy Leap Frogs.

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