Navy Displays Patriotic Colors In the Heart of Texas
(March 24, 2011) |
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| | AUSTIN, Texas (NNS - 3/21/2011) -- Sailors unfurled their
patriotic colors in Austin, Texas, with the March 19 launch
of Austin Navy Week. |
Musician 1st Class Kenneth Ray Horton,
accompanied by the University of Texas NROTC
Color Guard, kicked off a round-up of activities
with an adaptation of the national anthem prior
to the Longhorns' come-from-behind victory over
Kansas State at Disch-Falk Field.
"It
was beautiful," said Dennis Kerry, a long-time
Longhorns fan. "I really respect the courage
these guys have to represent our country in
wartime and in peacetime."
Another
Longhorns fan, Janice Scott said she felt it was
incredibly important to have the Navy in Austin
and in Texas.
"I want people to know
that we support our men and women in the armed
forces. It's a salute to those in uniform giving
service to the honor of America," she said,
emotional while remembering the dishonor Vietnam
veterans experienced when they returned.
"It's very important," Scott added. |
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Navy ROTC Midshipmen
from the University of Texas Austin present the
colors during a pre-game ceremony as part of
Austin Navy Week as the Longhorns host Kansas
State on March 19, 2011. Navy Weeks are designed
to showcase the investment Americans have made
in their Navy as global force for good and
increase awareness in cities that do not have a
significant Navy presence. U.S. Navy photo by
Mass Communication Specialist 1st class Ruben
Perez
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"I thought the color guard was pretty neat," said
10-year-old Jacob Thomas, tossing a baseball in his lap as
he spoke. "They represent the United States and I like the
U.S. The military keeps us safe."
Texas Governor Rick
Perry gave Sailors a warm welcome to the capitol city.
"The U.S. Navy inspires great pride in the hearts of
Americans," he wrote. "First Lady Anita Perry and I join you
in honoring the U.S. Navy and celebrating the U.S. Navy's
ongoing close relationship with the State of Texas."
The Lonestar State share a long and unique history with the
U.S. Navy – Texas had two navies prior to the establishment
of the U.S. Navy. In 1836, under the provisional Republic of
Texas government, a fleet of four ships were purchased using
private funds. That first fleet was abandoned when repairs
became too costly.
In 1839 a second Navy was created
with the commissioning of one steamship that grew into a
fleet of four ships the following year. Again, a lack of
financing, plus a series of misadventures resulted in the
ships' transfer to the U.S. Navy and decommissioning of the
fledgling Texian Navy.
Also during that first day of
Austin Navy Week, members of the U.S. Navy Parachute Team,
the Leap Frogs, guided blue and gold parachutes down to the
Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo grounds while opening a giant
U.S. and Texas flags mid-air.
After jumping, the Leap
Frogs mingled with cowboys and cowgirls, signing posters and
sharing stories of their service for the Navy.
"It
was motivating. Seeing them jump out of a plane with an
American flag and the Texas flag makes you kind of wish you
were attached to them and up in the air," said Eric
Santateresa, who was having a poster signed for his son
Alex.
"It's important for our freedom to have these
guys here doing what they do," said Paul Armstrong.
The U.S. Navy Band Country Current, a country-bluegrass
group and the Navy's premier country music ensemble,
performed an original set of tunes during a free performance
at Momo's for the South by Southwest Music Festival in
downtown Austin, closing out the inaugural day of Austin
Navy Week.
The week long schedule of events includes
more performances by the Leap Frogs and Country Current,
plus civic, corporate and educational engagements with Hon.
Juan M. Garcia III, assistant secretary of the Navy for
Manpower and Reserve Affairs.
Sailors from USS
Constitution, the Navy's oldest commissioned warship, will
visit various schools to give students an interactive,
hands-on experience of Navy history.
Other events
include a mayoral proclamation at City Hall, Sailors lending
a hand to the community at Caritas of Austin Soup Kitchen,
and Navy SEALs (Sea, Air Land) challenging youth with a
variety of physical exercises.
Austin Navy Week
activities will engage, inform and enhance understanding
about the investment Americans make in the Navy's
capabilities and the kinds of career opportunities
available. |
By Navy CMCS L.A. Shively
Navy Office of Community Outreach
Copyright 2011 | |
Reprinted from
Navy News Service
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