Salem, Ore. — On Monday, September 25, nearly 100 Navy personnel will visit Salem with one goal: to make the community a better place and share why the Navy matters to Oregon.
Navy Week is an effort to reach out to areas of the nation without a significant Navy presence. The program is designed to share how their Navy is deployed around the world and around the clock and why a strong Navy is vital to protecting the American way of life.
Their focus in Salem is on community service and music. Most events are free. Here’s a look at how you can be involved in their activities throughout the week:
- Monday, September 25, 8 a.m.-noon, Northgate Park Clean-up, 3575 Fairhaven Avenue NE. Sailors will be working to improve the pollinator garden, clean up the fence line between the park and the Community Garden, and help with bark mulch, weeding, and improving visibility. Sign up to volunteer by contacting Amanda Sitter, asitter@cityofsalem.net, or 503-589-2917.
- September 25, 3:30–7 p.m., Navy Day at the Salvation Army Kroc Center. Navy personnel will be giving demonstrations and playing games with kids.
- Tuesday, September 26, 9:30–10 a.m., Salem Welcomes the Navy – The Navy Band NW will play, and Sailors from the USS Portland will attend the proclamation ceremony between Salem Mayor Chris Hoy and Navy Rear Admiral Charles “Mike” Brown, Peace Plaza, Salem Civic Center, 555 Liberty Way SE.
- Tuesday, Sept. 26, 6 p.m. Navy Band Northwest Brass Quintet, Salem Public Library.
- Wednesday, September 27, Willamette River Clean-up, All-Hands-on-Deck, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Salem Parks and the Clean Streams Initiative host U.S. Navy Sailors. You can sign up to volunteer on water or volunteer on land. Pre-registration is required.
- Wednesday, September 27, 8–9 a.m., proclamation ceremony between the City of Keizer and Keizer Mayor Cathy Clark at Keizer City Hall, 930 Chemawa RD NE.
- Wednesday, September 27, 6–8 p.m., Keizer Community Night with a softball game between Sailors and Keizer high school students, police, and fire personnel with a performance by the Navy Band Northwest following the game, 6700 Field of Dreams Way NE.
- Thursday, September 28, 6–8 p.m., Navy Band Northwest at Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill Street SE.
- Friday, September 29, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Woodwind Quintet performance and Ceremonial Guard Drill Team performance for Veterans and residents, Center 50+, 2615 Portland Road NE.
- Friday, September 29, 6–8 p.m., Northwest Navy Band performance at Gerry Frank Amphitheater, Riverfront Park, 200 Water Street NE.
Navy personnel will also be visiting and helping at other locations around Salem, including CTEC School, West Salem and Downtown Rotary, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Houck Middle School, Marion Polk Food Share, Boys and Girls Club of Salem, McNary High School, and Willamette Heritage Center,
Since 2005, the Navy Week program has offered more than 250 Navy Weeks in 80 different U.S. cities.
Check for updates and review the full schedule of Navy Week events.
