Miami, the “Magic City,” will get the chance to add to its rich maritime history when it hosts Navy Week, March 25-30, in conjunction with the Miami Youth Fair.

Navy Weeks, coordinated by the Navy Office of Community Outreach, are designed to give Americans the 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.

This is the first time Miami has hosted Navy Week.

“We’re very excited to reach out and interact with the Miami-Dade County area,” said Ian Lundy, the lead planner for Miami Navy Week. “The county and city have been very supportive in our planning process, and we look forward to teaching the community about how the Navy impacts Miami area residents.” 

Rear Adm. Keith Davids, Director of the White House Military Office and Miami native, will act as the host for Navy Week, and will share the Navy’s message with local civic organizations, businesses and community groups.

Sailors participating come from a wide range of commands, demonstrating the Navy’s versatility and vitality in protecting and defending America around the world, around the clock.

Among those participating will be the Sailors from the oldest American warship, USS Constitution; Navy Band Southeast; Navy dive and salvage teams; and Navy oceanographic and meteorology teams, which include many Miami natives.

“I am ecstatic about this opportunity to share my experiences with the community I was raised in,” said Aerographer’s Mate 1st Class Rodney Bruno, a Miami native who attended South Ridge High School. “I look forward to promoting positive community relations in the Miami-Dade County area on behalf of the Navy.”

Also participating in Miami Navy Week are sailors from the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS New York (LPD 21), which will provide the public with a glimpse of what life is like on a naval vessel, as well as an opportunity to talk to the Sailors who have committed themselves to protecting America. 

“We’re very excited to have USS New York be a part of the week long events,” said Lundy. “It isn’t often that a U.S. naval vessel is part of the program, and it will provide a great, unique opportunity to the community.”

During the week, Sailors will also visit a local Boy’s and Girl’s Club of America location, the local YMCA Family Center and several museums around the community to provide STEM-focused outreach to local kids. 

Miami Navy Week is the third of 14 Navy Weeks scheduled in 2019. To see a schedule of events open to the public, please visit https://outreach.navy.mil/Navy-Weeks/Miami

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

For more news from Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO), visit http://www.outreach.navy.mil or http://www.navy.mil/local/navco/.