This year’s Richmond Navy Week holds special significance as it coincides with the U.S. Navy’s 250th birthday — a historic milestone celebrating a quarter-millennium of maritime excellence, national security, and global leadership.

More than 50 Sailors, many of whom with local ties to the city, presently stationed as far as Hawaii and Italy, will engage in more than 60 events designed to share with Virginians the importance their Navy has in defending national security.

“Virginia has always had a strong military presence,” said Petty Officer Second Class Steven Wray, a graduate of Lloyd C. Bird High School, currently stationed in Pearl Harbor. “The Navy presence is huge in Norfolk and Virginia Beach but not seen as much in the Tri-City area. During my career some of my best moments have been being able to give back to the local community. To be able to do that in my hometown and shine a light on the Navy (means) the world to me.

Richmond Navy Week is the fifth of 15 Navy Weeks in 2025, which brings a variety of assets, equipment, and personnel to a single city for a week-long series of engagements designed to bring America's Navy closer to the people it protects. Each year, the program reaches more than 140 million people -- about half the U.S. population.

“This year, as we mark the Navy’s 250^th birthday, we celebrate not only our rich history but also the generations of Sailors who have proudly served our nation,” said Cmdr. Julie Holland, Navy Office of Community Outreach director. “Virginia has long been at the heart of our Navy’s history, and I am proud to help showcase the strength, resilience, and dedication of America’s Navy to the community of Richmond and beyond.”

Media organizations wishing to cover Richmond Navy Week events, to include interviewing hometown heroes and the senior Navy executive, should contact Lt. j.g. Madison Kwok at (901) 874-5805 or madison.k.kwok.mil@us.navy.mil

HOMETOWN SAILOR NEWS STORIES

Chief Petty Officer Jasmine Robinson 

Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Naine

Petty Officer 1st Class Steven Wray 

Petty Officer 1st Class Chloe Nichole Valderama

Petty Officer 2nd Class Essence Lucas

Join us at one of our top events, or visit https://outreach.navy.mil/ for the week’s full schedule:

• May 12, 12-2PM: Vietnam Veterans Commemoration with the Blue Star Families
• May 13, 3-4PM: Mayoral Proclamation at the Virginia War Memorial
• May 14 &15: Interactive displays at the Children’s Museum of Richmond
• May 16, 530-730: Family friendly concert with Norfolk-based rock band at Dogwood Dell
• May 17, 8AM-12PM: Performances, demonstrations and displays at the RVA Big Market
• May 17, 5PM: Performances, demonstrations and displays as the Richmond Ivy take on the Charlottesville Blues

Follow Navy Outreach on social media:

• Instagram: @navy.outreach

• Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn: @navyoutreach

• #NavyWeek #AmericasNavy250

About Navy Week:

Navy Weeks are a series of outreach events coordinated by the Navy Office of Community Outreach designed to give Americans an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity. Since 2005, the Navy