Question: What does Chattanooga have in common with Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Denver, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and several other of the nation's most well-known cities?
Answer: The United States Navy.
Though that answer is correct in the broad sense, a more precise response would be Navy Week, which will be celebrated here during the Riverbend Festival next year from June 11-19. The coveted event is staged in a limited number of communities each year. The selection of Chattanooga and Riverbend as hosts is a signal honor.
Navy Weeks are designed to provide those who attend an opportunity to meet with members of the service and to learn about the Navy's mission and its capabilities. To that end, Navy personnel will present a series of events open to the general public as well as a series of programs to corporate, civic, government, education and community service organizations. The week, by all accounts, is well-designed and expertly executed. It has earned consistently high praise from communities that have hosted the event.
Indeed, many communities would like to host Navy Week. Not many are able to do so. The Navy limits the event to about 20 communities each year. The goal is simple: To share the Navy's story with as many people as possible and to recognize the area's veterans.
There is, of course, a hint of self-interest in staging such an event. A positive review of personnel and programs by residents and leaders of a community easily can translate into political and other useful support for the branch of service. Even so, there is much to recommend in the Navy's scheduled program during Riverbend.
Though subject to change, the following events are planned here during Navy Week:
* A demonstration by the "Leap Frogs," the Navy's renowned parachute team.
* An opportunity for area residents to meet and speak with sailors from the USS Tennessee, a ballistic missile submarine.
* Performances by the U.S. Navy Band.
* A series of events at which admirals and other senior Navy leaders will meet with corporate, civic, government and education leaders from the area.
* Navy diver demonstrations at the Tennessee Aquarium.
* Access to Navy simulators and other interactive displays.
* Community service work projects in partnership with area sports franchises. Navy Weeks typically are organized around an "anchor event" or a large community occasion such as a fair or a holiday celebration. Riverbend certainly fits the bill, and Chattanooga, as always, promises to be an excellent host.
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