Mayor Rick Taggart read a proclamation declaring July 22-28 Navy Week, signifying the official kick off of Western Slope Navy Week taking place throughout Grand Junction, Fruita and Palisade, Colorado.

This is the first ever iteration of the Western Slope Navy Week. The Navy week program brings Sailors, equipment and displays to approximately 14 American cities each year for a schedule of outreach engagements designed for Americans to experience firsthand the Navy the nation needs. 

“We thank you and we appreciate you coming to our community, it really just means a great deal to us,” said Taggart.

Mayor Taggart then read the official Western Slope Navy Week proclamation. 

“Where as the Grand Valley is honored to have the presence of the United States Navy in our community, and whereas the state of Colorado is home to more than 5,000 active duty enlisted Sailors, 1,000 active duty Naval officers, more than 1,000 Navy reservists and almost 7,000 active duty, reservists and retirees… the citizens of Western Slope take great pride in supporting our namesake ship, USS Mesa Verde, and the inaugural Navy Week to increase the community’s knowledge and understanding of their Navy and its global mission… now therefore, I, Rick Taggart, by the power vested in me, as mayor of the city of Grand Junction, do hereby proclaim July 22-28, 2019, as United States Navy week.”

Western Slope Navy Week includes a variety of outreach assets, equipment and personnel for a weeklong series of engagements with key influencers and organizations representing all sectors of the market.

During this Navy Week, nearly 100 outreach events were coordinated with corporate, civic, government, education, media, veterans and community service and diversity organizations throughout the city. Free concerts, youth camps, static displays, public interviews, Colorado Mesa University engagements, STEM events and a Blue Angels air show are among some of this week’s events. 

Western Slope Navy Week includes Senior Navy leadership, Sailors assigned to the city’s namesake ship, San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), Blue Angels demonstration group, USS Constitution, Navy Band Southwest, U.S. Naval Academy, Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group (EODGRU) 1, and visits by members of the Navy Talent and Acquisition Group Rocky Mountain.

Colorado native Rear Admiral Bret C. Batchelder, director of maritime operations, United States Fleet Forces Command, will act as the senior executive host of the Navy Week and addressed the crowd during the proclamation. He expressed his appreciation for the community’s patriotism and support. 

“It is always great to come home, and when it’s in conjunction with a special event like this, it’s even better,” said Batchelder. “Colorado is a unique place, in so many different ways, and the lessons I learned here in my youth were instrumental in my future Navy opportunities. I would never of had the opportunity to see and do the things I have were it not for the life foundation built here. All in all, it’s been an honor to represent Colorado throughout my Navy career, and now, coming full circle, I’m equally honored to represent the Navy to Colorado.”

Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy's principal outreach effort in the areas of the country without a significant naval presence. More than 210 Navy Weeks have been held in 74 different U.S. cities.