The Navy kicked off Sacramento Navy Week during an opening ceremony at the city's Memorial Auditorium, Sept. 27.

Rear Adm. Douglas "Woody" Beal, deputy commander of Navy Recruiting Command and flag host of Sacramento Navy Week, spoke to Sailors and locals during the ceremony.

"I couldn't be more honored and more thankful than to be here in Sacramento," said Beal. "This is a proud and beautiful city, and we are grateful to show you what America's Navy does."

As part of the opening ceremony, Beal also took time to honor veterans of the Vietnam War in attendance and presented them with commemorative lapel pins to recognize their service.

"As we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War, I want to thank you all for your service," said Beal. "We stand on your shoulders and do what we do today because of you."

Beal implored anyone interested in learning more about the Navy to visit one of the many presentations throughout the week.

Sailors from the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 3, USS Constitution, and Navy Band Southwest are partaking in various events throughout the city as part of the Navy Week.

Sailors will get the opportunity to speak with local students at various schools, volunteer with local organizations, and entertain members of the Sacramento community with live music.

For some Sailors, Sacramento Navy Week offers the opportunity to give back to the communities they come from.

"It's amazing to be home," said Aviation Machinist's Mate 1st Class Sarah L. Johnson. "Being with family and friends, getting to represent the Navy and what we do is a great feeling. I love answering questions about what I do and what my job is."

Because of Sailors like Johnson, Beal feels confident Sacramento Navy Week will succeed in building a stronger bond with the city of Sacramento.

"The strength of our Navy comes from the service members here in attendance," said Beal. "I couldn't be more proud to be a part of the Navy team."

Every year, America's Navy comes home to approximately 15 cities across the country to show Americans why having a strong Navy is critical to the American way of life.

Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy's principal outreach effort into areas of the country without a significant Navy presence, with 181 Navy Weeks held in 68 different U.S. cities. The program is designed to help Americans understand their Navy is deployed around the world, around the clock, ready to defend America at all times.

Navy Weeks focus a variety of outreach assets, equipment, and personnel on a single city for a weeklong series of engagements with key influencers and organizations representing all sectors of the market. During a Navy Week, 75-100 outreach events are coordinated with corporate, civic, government, education, media, veterans, community service and diversity organizations in the city.

The Navy Parachute Team, Navy bands, Navy divers, namesake ship and submarine crews, hometown Sailors, medical personnel, environmental displays, USS Constitution Sailors and equipment, and Navy recruiting properties all participate in the Navy Week program.

For more information about Navy Week events, visit http://outreach.navy.mil/.

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