Natchez Mayor Darryl Grennell presented a proclamation to U.S. Navy Capt. Maria Aguayo and Capt. Rich Delgado during a ceremony held at the Natchez City Council Chambers, Sept. 13.

Aguayo serves as the commander, 22nd Naval Construction Regiment, which is based in Gulfport, Mississippi, and Delgado serves as the chief of staff, Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, which is based at Stennis Space Center, Mississippi.

"Thank you Mayor Grennell for your city's hospitality," said Aguayo. "Educating the American public about the capability, importance, and value of today's Navy is an essential responsibility of those who serve."

Grennell read the citation during the ceremony, highlighting the mission of the Navy and the importance of the sea services to the nation's defense. The proclamation officially recognized Sept. 11-14, 2016 as Navy Week Natchez.

"I urge all citizens to express their gratitude to all current members and veterans of the Navy," said Grinnell.

The citation read the U.S. Navy serves to educate the American public about the capability, importance and value of today's Navy as an essential responsibility of those who serve. The ceremony was attended by Natchez city and business leaders to witness the delivery of the proclamation.

Nearly 80 Sailors and U.S. Navy civilians are participating in Navy Week Natchez in one of the oldest cities along the Mississippi River. Natchez, which was established in 1716, is celebrating its 300th anniversary throughout 2016.

Jennifer Ogden-Combs, executive director, Natchez Tricentennial spoke at the ceremony and thanked the visiting Sailors and U.S. Navy civilians for visiting Natchez to mark the 300th anniversary of their city.

"It has been a great honor and privilege this week to have members of the U.S. Navy be a part of the Natchez Tricentennial celebration," said Ogden-Combs.

Sailors and U.S. Navy civilians from Naval Oceanographic Office, Naval Oceanography Mine Warfare Center, Navy Expeditionary Combat Command, Naval Construction Group 2, 22nd Naval Construction Regiment, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1 and Underwater Construction Team 1 provided a variety of static displays for the two-day Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) event during Natchez Navy Week, as well as participated in a community relations project, visited with veterans, and participated in other events to bring awareness to the sea services.

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

For more news from Navy Expeditionary Combat Command , visit http://www.navy.mil/.