Quad Cities Kicks Off Navy Week

Quad Cities Navy Week kicked off May 4 with a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) presentation by USS Constitution and Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training and Evaluation Unit (EODTEU) 1 Sailors at the Putnam Museum in Davenport, Iowa, and United Township High School in East Moline, Illinois.

Other events that took place May 4 included Sailors from the guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) -- Iowa's namesake ship, named to honor five brothers from Waterloo, Iowa, who served together aboard USS Juneu during World War II and lost their lives during the Battle of Guadalcanal -- volunteering with Living Lands and Waters in Hampton, Illinois, and U.S. Navy Band Great Lakes performing at the River Music Experience in Davenport.

In commemoration of the Navy Reserve Centennial and in celebration of Navy Week, Navy Band Great Lakes will be performing at Schweibert Park, Rock Island, Illinois. Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. followed by a joint proclamation from area mayors and county representatives and recognition of local reserve Sailors with Navy Operational Support Center Rock Island. The event will also include robot demonstrations by EODTEU-1 and color guard presentation by USS Constitution Sailors.

"The Midwest doesn't get to see much of what the Navy does, so this Navy Week is a great way to bring Sailors who can interact with the locals and teach them the missions of the Navy and what the Navy really does," said Sam Kupresin, a retired Navy rear admiral and a leader in the Quad Cities community.

The Navy Week program is designed to raise awareness about the Navy in areas that traditionally do not have a naval presence and include community relations projects, speaking engagements, and media interviews with flag hosts and area Sailors.

"The outstanding support and patriotism from the Quad Cities community, as well as our many assets that are taking time out of their schedules to showcase their skills and teamwork, will make this Navy Week a successful one," said Lt. Cmdr. Tim Page, Navy Office of Community Outreach Event Planning department head and the lead planner for Quad Cities Navy Week.

Iowa native Rear Adm. Michael T. Franken, director, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, will serve as the senior Navy representative during the Navy Week and will participate in various events throughout the week including morning television talk shows and meetings with corporate executives, civic groups, veterans organizations, educators, government officials and community leaders.

"I think there are several benefits that this Navy Week will have on our community," said Jason Gordon, vice president of public affairs for Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce. "It serves as a reminder of just how much the U.S. Navy does for our country and the world. It isn't just ships and aircraft carriers, although those functions are critically important to our nation's security. The Navy's operations and capabilities are many and quite diverse, and I suspect some people may not realize that fact."

Navy Week will feature an array of Navy Sailors and equipment to showcase the Navy's capabilities and missions to the public. The Quad Cities Air Show, which features the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, the Blue Angels, will be held Saturday and Sunday, and U.S. Navy Band Great Lakes will be performing at various locations throughout the week.

Others include Sailors from USS The Sullivans; the Navy's STEM Tour interactive display; robotics demonstrations by EODTEU-1; and "Forest to Frigates" presentations by Sailors from USS Constitution (the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat.)

"Our band will work to be a positive reflection of the U.S. Navy in the Quad Cities during the tour with us embodying the honor, courage and commitment that makes our Navy so great," said Musician 3rd Class Jake Stith, guitarist for Navy Band Great Lakes.