Sailors Give Back During Albuquerque Navy Week 2009
(October 8, 2009) | 
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October 3, 2009 - Airman Jose Porcayo assigned to USS Constitution, helps a child tie knots at the International Balloon Fiesta. Sailors from USS Constitution wore circa-1813 uniforms and participated in Albuquerque Navy Week, Oct. 3 -11, 2009. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Lucy M. Quinn) | | ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (NNS) -- Commander, Submarine Group 2 helped bring the Navy to New Mexico Oct. 3 during Albuquerque Navy Week 2009.
Rear Adm. Paul J. Bushong, who served as the spokesman for the event, helped kick off the week of activities, which are part of an awareness campaign to bring the Navy to cities throughout the country without a large fleet presence.
Albuquerque Navy Week 2009 is anchored by the world-famous Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.
"Some may ask, 'why host a Navy Week in Albuquerque?' Even though there may not be an ocean here, there is a sea of support for the Navy from this city and throughout the state," said Bushong. "We are in Albuquerque to give back to the community and to thank the citizens of the city and state for supporting the world's finest maritime force." |
| As part of this year's activities, Albuquerque Mayor Martin J. Chavez proclaimed Oct. 3-11 Albuquerque Navy Week 2009.
During the Albuquerque Navy Week, crews from Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Albuquerque (SSN 706), Virginia-class attack submarine USS New Mexico (SSN 779), USS Constitution "Old Ironsides" and other local Reserve and Active Duty Sailors will visit the city and participate in various community projects, such as visiting the Children's Center at Presbyterian Hospital as part of the Caps for Kids program, tutoring students at Albuquerque Heights and Rio Rancho Boys and Girls Clubs and repairing and refurbishing the Ronald McDonald House. | Other Navy attractions during Albuquerque Navy Week 2009 include, Navy Band Southwest "Destroyers" performances, a Blue Angels F/A-18 Flight Simulator, an Accelerate Your Life Simulator and a Navy Theme-Wrapped Suburban. All are free and open to the public.
The Navy - New Mexico connection can be traced as far back as the early 1900s when the battleship New Mexico was in service from 1917 to 1946. During World War II, the battleship operated in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and participated in six major battles.
The next New Mexico, a Virginia-class submarine, is completing construction and should go on sea trials in November 2009. The new submarine will be commissioned and delivered to the Navy early in the year 2010. The submarine has received outstanding support from the Navy League's New | | 
October 4, 2009 - Rear Adm. Paul J. Bushong, commander of Submarine Group Two, uses a model of the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Albuquerque (SSN 706 ) to explain its unique characteristics to children attending the 2009 Albuquerque Navy Week. Bushong is a spokesman for event, which is one of 21 Navy Weeks planned across the U.S. 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Patrick Evans) | | Mexico Council in partnership with the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce. |
| | In addition, USS Albuquerque (SSN 706) and USS Santa Fe (SSN 763) are named after New Mexico cities and have long relationships with their namesakes. | By Navy Lt. Patrick Evans
Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs
Copyright 2009Reprinted from Navy News Service Comment on this article |
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