Navy Showcases Local
Sailors,
Global Mission During Greenville Navy Week
(October 17, 2009) | 
|
|
| GREENVILLE, S.C. (10/13/2009 - NNS) -- The U.S. Navy arrived in Greenville the
first week of October to share its mission with the citizens of South Carolina
while highlighting the contributions of its Sailors.
The Greenville city mayor proclaimed the entire week "Greenville Navy Week."
Radio listeners and television viewers got an inside, up-close and personal look
at Navy life and operations. Area high school students learned of educational
and career opportunities, and they were treated to free, high-energy concerts by
the Navy rock band "Four Star Edition." Public displays of Navy assets helped
locals touch, feel and experience the Navy. |
 |
| Oct. 5, 2009 - Navy Counselor 1st Class Timothy Smith, assigned to Navy Recruiting District Raleigh, tutors a young participant in the computer lab of the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club after school program during Greenville Navy Week, one of 21 Navy Weeks held across America this year. Navy Weeks are designed to show Americans the investment they have made in their Navy and increase awareness in cities that do not have a significant Navy presence. |
|
From civic groups such as Rotary Club, the Urban League and
the American Legion, to educational audiences at high
schools, technical schools and college and university
campuses scattered throughout the Greenville metro area, the
Navy reached out to every corner of the city to tell its
story to people who rarely get to see Sailors in uniform in
this cosmopolitan South Carolina town.
Rear Adm. Bill Goodwin was the Navy's chief spokesman during
the weeklong event. With 34 years of active duty service in
the U.S. Navy, Goodwin offered an insider's look into the
nation's Maritime Strategy, and a unique insight into where
it is going next.
Woven into the dozens of speeches and presentations and he
made over the course of the week - from personal
recollections of his own Navy service and from his vantage
point as a leader in the Navy hierarchy - Goodwin brought a
consistent message to the masses: it's important to know
what America's Navy is doing to protect the nation and its
positive impact around the globe.
"We're here in Greenville, South Carolina, to showcase our
Navy," Goodwin said. "There are 21 places in our country
where we are holding Navy Weeks this year, and it's the
opportunity to let the people of Greenville know what the
United States Navy is doing throughout the world and that we
are a global force for good."
Navy officials used every spare moment to get the word out.
Sailors appeared almost daily on the television show "Your
Carolina With Jack and Kimberly" broadcast on WSPA-TV in
Greenville. Shows included what Greenville Navy Week is,
SEAL Delayed Entry Personnel and fitness requirements, an
appearance by Goodwin, a Navy culinary cake-decorating
demonstration in honor of the Navy's 234th Birthday, and a
live appearance by the Fleet Forces Band "Four Star
Edition."
Goodwin met with the Urban League of the Upstate in
Greenville. The president and program directors of the
organization listened to Goodwin detail the U.S. Navy's
ongoing commitment to diversity within its ranks, and asked
the admiral questions about educational opportunities,
scholarship programs, benefits and career paths within the
Navy.
Goodwin told the organization's management team that service
in the Navy brings out the best in young people. "Our Navy
is a wonderful organization that build young people into
leaders," Goodwin said. "It might build them only for four
or five years. But I will tell you that when they come out
of our military, they've changed, and it's good for our
nation and our community."
Urban League managers expressed gratitude for the admiral's
visit and the information that he shared with them.
"I'm proud to see that our military services are looking at
diversity," said Will Gregg, director of pre-college
enrollment for the Urban League. "It's important for our
military to look like our country because we are the biggest
melting pot in the world."
Goodwin toured the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
Outpatient Center in Greenville to meet the staff and thank
veterans for their service. The Navy also brought stuffed
toys and Navy ball caps to the Shriners Hospital For
Children in Greenville during a Caps For Kids visit.
Sailors from both the Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC)
Greenville and from the Navy Recruiting District (NRD)
Raleigh joined forces to volunteer for a variety of events.
Sailors manned Navy exhibits, scheduled Navy Band
performances at local schools, helped build a home with
Habitat for Humanity, and played with and tutored young
people in after-school programs throughout the city.
"By us being out here, it shows the people of Greenville
that the Navy does have a presence here," said Lt. Cmdr.
Kevin Boardman, commanding officer of NOSC Greenville. "Navy
Week allows us to give back to the community because we're
there to support the community, just like they are
supporting us. It's our way to say 'thank you' to them."
Wade Hampton High School arranged a visit by Goodwin to
share his message about what the Navy can offer their
students. "I think definitely our students are going to see
what the Navy has to offer," said Principal Lance Radford.
"This is a career day for us. We want to explore all careers
for students, and the Navy being one of those careers. I
think those students will be able to takeaway for themselves
whether the Navy is a possible career for them or not."
Officials at Furman College welcomed the Navy's appearance
on their campus, where Goodwin spoke to a representative
gathering of students with the Riley Institute of
Government, Politics, and Public Leadership.
"I really enjoyed Rear Admiral Goodwin's talk today, he
really understood the audience he was talking to. These are
young adults who are thinking about careers," said Dr. John
Beckford, dean of the faculty at Furman College. "In
particular, his emphasis on leadership is a message I think
all young people need to hear: the opportunities of
leadership as well as the responsibilities of leadership."
Goodwin, who served as the first commanding officer of the
aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), also addressed
veterans groups during his visit to the American Legion War
Museum Greenville.
Navy veterans and retired military from other branches of
the armed services also took part in the festivities. Some
wore their uniforms. Some brought only their memories. They
shared stories of their own military service and those of
relatives who served in the Navy.
Retired naval officers from the amphibious attack cargo ship
USS Winston (AKA-94) had gathered with their spouses in
Greenville Oct. 8-11 for their fifth annual reunion,
coinciding with the "Fall for Greenville" festival and the
U.S. Navy Week celebration.
Capt. Joe Valitchka and his wife Sue hosted the group's
reunion. Members met Goodwin, viewed Navy exhibits and
listened to the "Four Star Edition" Navy band.
"I think it gives people a whole new awareness of the Navy,"
said retired Capt. Joe Valitchka. "The Navy used to be more
apparent in Charleston; so having the Navy here in
Greenville is a very good idea."
Greenville Navy Week was one of 21 Navy Weeks slated for
2009. The goal was to bring the Navy, its Sailors and
official spokespersons alike, to towns that normally do not
see the Navy.
The Navy exhibits "Accelerate Your Life Experience" and the
Navy themed Suburban were on display daily for residents
during the event. The Fleet Forces Band "Four Star Edition"
rocked out in downtown Greenville and at local high school
auditoriums. | |
By Navy Chief MCS Steve Johnson
Office of Navy Community Outreach
Copyright 2009
Reprinted from
Navy News Service
Comment on this article |
|
