For the first time, the U.S. Navy the nation needs is coming to Colorado’s Grand Valley, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains’ Western Slope, for Navy Week.

The Navy is bringing the city of Grand Junction, Colorado, and surrounding areas a glimpse of the mission and experiences of the nation’s Sailors, July 22-28, coinciding with the Grand Junction Air Show.

Western Slope Navy Week will bring Sailors from different Navy units across the U.S. to conduct focused outreach with members of the community.

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 Week program has served as the Navy’s flagship outreach effort into areas of the country without a significant Navy presence, providing the public a firsthand look at the Navy the nation needs.

Navy Weeks play a vital role in connecting the American public with a large array of Sailors, assets and equipment. The weeklong event strives to engage with local communities who do not have frequent visibility of the Navy.

“Western Slope is the two hundred thirty-fourth Navy Week,” said Lt. John Stevens, Navy Week program manager, “and while it’s the smallest market we’ll visit this year, it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest weeks for us.

“We’ll do more than eighty-five targeted outreach events at summer camps, public events and concerts, and local community service organizations,” said Stevens.

The Navy Week’s senior executive host will be Rear Admiral Bret C. Batchelder, Director of Maritime Operations, United States Fleet Forces Command. Batchelder will participate in various ceremonies and meet with local businesses, civic, education and government leaders during the week. Batchelder is from Colorado.

Major highlights during the week include chances to interact with Navy assets at the Grand Junction Air Show, Rimrock Rodeo, Grand Junction Rockies baseball games, the Downtown Farmers’ Market and more than 15 public concerts performed by Navy Band Southwest.

“Navy Band Southwest is excited to visit Colorado’s Grand Valley for the first time,” said Musician 1st Class Kristen Snitzer, Navy Band Southwest. “During this year’s Navy Week, we have performances by four different ensembles scheduled throughout the Western Slope.  Audience members can expect a variety of musical styles, from chamber music performed by our brass and woodwind quintets, to our high-energy New Orleans-style Brass Band and Rock Band.”

During the week, Sailors from USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), named after Colorado’s Mesa Verde National Park, will also be visiting the city to volunteer with several youth and community programs throughout the area. They will travel to the National Park on Friday, July 26, for a weekend visit.

Additionally, sailors from USS Constitution -- the oldest American warship still afloat -- as well as Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Group 1 and Navy Divers will visit several summer camps to provide STEM and history presentations throughout the week.

Sailors from Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117 will volunteer with Meals on Wheels to deliver food to those in need. Additionally, they will work with Habitat for Humanity and visit veterans at the Grand Junction VA Medical Center.

The week will conclude at the Grand Junction Air Show, July 27-28, where attendees can watch the Blue Angels perform and interact with other Navy Sailors.

Western Slope Navy Week is one of 14 Navy Weeks in 2019 focusing a variety of assets, equipment and personnel on a single city for a weeklong series of engagements designed to bring America’s Navy closer to the people it protects. Each year, the program reaches more than 40 million people -- about half the U.S. population.

For more information and a full schedule of events, visit https://outreach.navy.mil/Navy-Weeks/Western-Slope/

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