U.S. Navy Sailors man the rails as they prepare to be hosted by Indiana's capital city during Indianapolis Navy Week Aug. 7-13, coinciding with the Indiana State Fair.

"Indianapolis Navy Week is an opportunity for the community to see their Navy up close, and to make sure that happens, the Navy contributes as much as possible for approximately 75 events that have been planned throughout the city," said Lt. Cmdr. Brett Dawson, lead planner for Indianapolis Navy Week with the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO).

Navy Week Flag Host and Indianapolis native Rear Adm. Gary A. Mayes, commander, Navy Region Northwest, will have the honor to participate in various ceremonies and meet with local business, civic and educational leaders during the week.

"As a native of Indianapolis, it is a tremendous honor and privilege to return to my hometown to participate in Navy Week," said Mayes. "I look forward to talking to Indiana leaders and the general public about the U. S. Navy and the role it plays in national defense. My hope is that Navy Week will give the citizens of Indiana a better understanding that the United States is a maritime nation; and the Navy is critical to American security and economic well-being."

Several outreach events have been coordinated with corporate, civic, government, education, media, veteran affairs, community service and diversity organizations in the city. Sailors from the Navy's U.S. Fleet Forces' Bands, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2, USS Indiana, USS Constitution and Navy recruiting assets will be participating in the Indianapolis Navy Week.

The U.S. Fleet Forces' Bands are scheduled to play several performances at multiple locations in Indianapolis throughout the week, including performances at the Indiana War Memorial, Indianapolis Artsgarden, Indiana State Fairgrounds and Indianapolis City Market.

"We are very excited to participate in Navy Week and bring the Navy to the wonderful people of Indianapolis," said Musician 2nd Class Matthew Tremel, a saxophone instrumentalist with U.S. Fleet Forces Band. "As Sailors and musicians, our performances allow us to connect to all types of people through the universal language of music. It is always an honor to demonstrate the professionalism and pride in service that our fellow Sailors display 24 hours a day at home and around the world."

Sailors from USS Constitution, the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat, and a ship that actively defended sea-lanes against global threats from 1797 to 1855, will come dressed in uniforms from the 1800's to provide educational interactions about the ship's history and current activities.

"It's great to be back where I grew up and to be back in that familiar home environment," said Gunner's Mate 2nd Class Erin Bullock, a Sailor stationed aboard USS Constitution. "Before I joined the Navy, I knew nothing of the history or what it is like to be a Sailor, so it's an honor to be able to incorporate my Navy career into my home setting and to be the one that directly teaches the public about it. It's truly something special to be given the opportunity to mix the two lives that I have made for myself."
Constitution's interpretive history presentations, which include hands-on artifacts, will be presented to numerous schools in the area.

Navy divers from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2 will also be participating by meeting with people and conducting interactive demonstrations at the Indiana State Fair throughout the week.

Sailors from the Navy's newest fast attack Virginia-class submarine USS Indiana are also scheduled to participate in Indianapolis Navy Week by attending a proclamation ceremony at the Indiana War Memorial Museum, volunteering at Gleaner's Food Bank and visiting several local high schools.

Indianapolis' warm welcome to the Navy promises for a week of events and activities that all should remember long after the Navy Week has concluded.
Indianapolis Navy Week is the ninth of 15 Navy Weeks in 2017 that focus a variety of assets, equipment and personnel on a single city for a week-long series of engagements designed to bring America's Navy closer to the people it protects.

For a full schedule of events visit http://outreach.navy.mil/Navy-Weeks/Indianapolis/

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