Willamette Valley Navy Week kicked off in Keizer on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at the Keizer Conference Center with a proclamation and flag presentation.
Mayor Cathy Clark presented a proclamation to Rear Admiral Charles (“Mike”) Brown before a small group. Brown is deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare.
The Keizer and Salem events and activities were the only scheduled Oregon stops for the large contingent from the U.S. Navy; it is one of 15 Navy Weeks taking place nationwide this year. The Navy brought a variety of resources, equipment and personnel. The week is an outreach designed for the opportunity the community to learn about the Navy.
Sailors were conducting community service projects in the region as well as visiting schools. A softball game was scheduled between sailors and McNary High School students at Volcanoes Stadium Wednesday night.
Lt. Joshua Webb, stationed in San Diego, presented Mayor Clark with an American flag that had flown on the U.S.S. Portland.