Story by Lt. Joshua Kelsey, U.S. Navy, Event Planning Department, Navy Office of Community Outreach
MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) Fargo, ND will host the region’s first Navy Week in three years when the Navy visits the area for a week of events July 19-25, in conjunction with the “Fargo Air Sho” featuring the Blue Angels.
Fargo Navy Week brings Sailors from across the fleet to the area to showcase the importance of the Navy to Fargo, North Dakota, and the nation.
Navy organizations, including USS North Dakota (SSN 784), Navy Band Great Lakes, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 1, USS Constitution, Strike Fighter Wing Pacific, USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Navy Operational Support Center Fargo, and Navy History and Heritage Command, will participate in a variety of community outreach events. All participating commands will follow DOD, CDC, state, and local guidelines for safety during the current pandemic.
The Navy’s senior executive host is Vice Admiral Stuart Munsch, the director for Operational Plans and Joint Force Development on the Joint Staff. Munsch will participate in community engagements as well as meet with local businesses, civic, education, and government leaders.
“I am excited to return to Fargo and represent the Navy to the FM area and state of North Dakota,” said Munsch. “Fargo, West Fargo, and Moorhead are wonderful communities that care about service, and that dedication to service connects the citizens of the area and our Navy. As a North Dakota native, I look forward to helping strengthen the connection between my home state and our Navy.”
Navy Weeks are a series of outreach events coordinated by the Navy Office of Community Outreach designed to give Americans an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity. Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s flagship outreach effort into areas of the country without a significant Navy presence, providing the public a firsthand look at why the Navy matters to Fargo.
“During a Navy Week, the Navy conducts approximately 75 outreach events with corporate, civic, government, education, media, veterans, community service, and diversity organizations in the city,” said CDR John Fage, director Navy Office of Community Outreach. “Fargo is a strong supporter of the Navy, and I know our Sailors are looking forward to interacting with the people of Fargo.”
Throughout the week, Sailors will visit multiple Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA facilities, Sanford Health Center, and the VA Health Center, and participate in various community events, including “Gatherings in the Park,” “Movies on the Square,” and Fitness Fridays. Sailors will also partner with Ronald McDonald House Charities, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, River Keeps, the West Fargo Library “Little Red Reading Bus,” Moorhead College for Kids, and Fargo Public Schools.
Residents will also enjoy free live music by Navy Band Great Lakes at venues throughout the week, including the Red River Zoo, Gooseberry Park, and the Food Trucks and Trails Festival.
The week will conclude at the “Fargo Air Sho,” Sunday, July 25, where attendees can interact with their U.S. Navy sailors throughout the day.
Fargo Navy Week is one of 13 Navy Weeks in 2021, focusing a variety of assets, equipment, and personnel on a single city for a weeklong series of engagements designed to bring America’s Navy closer to the people it protects. Each year, the program reaches more than 140 million people — about half the U.S. population.
Media organizations wishing to cover Fargo Navy Week events should contact Lt. Joshua Kelsey at (901) 302-5166 or joshua.l.kelsey@navy.mil.