Albuquerque Navy Week Recaps!

[Navy for Moms Admin]

Thought some of you might be interested to read about what went on during Albuquerque Navy Week!

091005-N-2893B-001 ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (Oct. 5, 2009) Seaman Miguel Arias, assigned to USS Constitution, gives a Navy ball cap to a patient at the Albuquerque Presbyterian Hospital during an Albuquerque Navy Week "Caps for Kids" visit. Albuquerque Navy Week is one of 21 Navy Weeks planned across America in 2009. 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 Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Eric Brown/Released)

Old Ironsides Sailors Bring Naval History to New Mexico
Release Date: 10/8/2009 4:16:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Eric Brown, USS Constitution Public Affairs

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (NNS) -- In support of Albuquerque Navy Week, five USS Constitution Sailors were temporarily assigned duty to the "Land of Enchantment" to provide color guard details and community service activities Oct. 3-5.

Rear Adm. Paul Bushong, the flag officer for Albuquerque Navy Week, was very impressed with the Old Ironsides Sailors' War of 1812-era Navy uniforms, military bearing, and knowledge of early U.S. Navy history.

"When you see USS Constitution Sailors here, you see a tremendous tradition, and a tremendous sense of honor, courage and commitment across the ages," said Bushong.
"It has made a great impact on the community and contributed to the immense success of the whole week."

Albuquerque Navy Week runs from Oct. 3-11, and is one of about 20 Navy Weeks scheduled in the continental United States in 2009; the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) hosts these events to educate Americans on the importance of naval service, understand the investment they make in their Navy and to increase awareness in cities which might not otherwise see the Navy at work on a regular basis.

USS Constitution was launched in the Boston Harbor on Oct. 21, 1797. In her years of active service, from 1798 - 1855, the three-masted wooden frigate fought in the Quasi-War with France, the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812. Today, Old Ironsides' is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world, has a permanent crew of about 75 active duty U.S. Navy Sailors, and is visited by nearly half a million people every year.

USS Constitution's Sailors performed color guard details at the opening ceremonies for Albuquerque Navy Week at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial Park, and at a free concert at the city's Old Town.

On Oct. 5, the crew members gave about 20 children at the Albuquerque Presbyterian Hospital Navy ball caps as part of NAVCO's "Caps for Kids" program.

"When we have special visitors, such as the U.S. Navy, it allows the children and their families not only to feel more personal about the whole hospital experience, but also that someone cares about them," said Rebecca Armstrong, the child life director at the hospital.
"That gives them strength to heal faster, and it's very touching for the parents, who share that experience with family and friends."

Later that day, the Sailors led an assembly at the Sandia Base Elementary School for more than 200 children, who asked the Sailors many questions about themselves, and their naval heritage.

To learn more about USS Constitution, visit www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution. Further information on Navy Weeks is available at www.navyweek.org.


Sailors Brew Green Chili Stew During Albuquerque Navy Week Cook-Off
Release Date: 10/8/2009 4:56:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SCW) L.A. Shively, Navy Office of Community Outreach Public Affairs

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (NNS) -- Teams of Sailors temporarily traded their Navy covers for chef's hats to compete during the Great Green Chili Cook-off Oct. 6 at El Pinto Restaurant in Albuquerque, N.M., as part of Albuquerque Navy Week.

Team "Cooking With Spoon" picked up the esteemed best green chili title, a trophy and the bragging rights that go with it.

Team "A-OO-GA", with a title symbolizing the warning sound prior to a submarine diving, represented the USS New Mexico (SSN 779) and took second place in the competition.

Team "Cooking With Spoon" included Logistics Specialist 1st Class Marlene Armijo, Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Martez Whitherspoon, Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class David Meyer and Personnel Specialist Seaman Adrian Nixon, the full time support staff at Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Albuquerque.

Team "A-OO-GA" included Cmdr. Mark Prokopius, commanding officer, and Lt. Beau Wielkoszewski from the New Mexico and Lt. Victoria Tobin and Lt. Kris Hooper from the Navy Office of Community Outreach.

The winning green chili stew was judged on presentation, teamwork and taste. Shelly Ribando, local ABC affiliate KOAT Channel 7 anchor, Cabinet Secretary John Garcia from the New Mexico Department of Veterans' Services and Dave DeWitt, author of more than 30 books on peppers, acted as guest judges for the event.

Team "Cooking with Spoon," led by Whitherspoon, said they prepared for the competition by whipping up a batch of green chili stew at the NOSC just prior to the cook-off and used a secret ingredient that added an extra spark to their chili.

Whitherspoon said he had a great time spending a day cooking and giving the public a chance to see the Navy at its best.

"There's not a body of water in Albuquerque, so people are not sure why we're here," said Whitherspoon. "There are all sorts of jobs in the Navy, and it's great to show the community our Navy presence."

The chili champs sang cadences, danced and chanted Navy slogans to demonstrate their teamwork during the competition.

Additionally, the chili makings and other food provided by El Pinto Restaurant was served by Navy volunteers to homeless veterans at the New Mexico Veterans Integration Center.

The center provides a two-year transitional program assisting homeless veterans with integrating back into the community.

"The U.S. Navy's gesture was a demonstration of selflessness and true professionalism, especially when recognizing veterans in need," said State Veterans Coordinator Larry Campos, New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions.

For more news from the Navy Office of Community Outreach, visit www.navy.mil/local/navco.

[Mary]

Cooking With Spoon was hysterical! They definitely won the entertainment factor. Myself and another Navy Mom, Melissa (Tucson), attended Caps for Kids. It was very touching to be there and participate in that.

Thanks for the recap, Elle!

[Navy for Moms Admin]

So glad you were able to participate in both! Did you take any photos of the cook-off or the Caps for Kids?

[Mary]

I did. The cook-off photos are better than the Caps for Kids. I was so emotional watching the sailors with the kids those pics are a little shaky.

[Navy for Moms Admin]

I can only imagine.

[Mary]

I just got back from spending my lunch hour at the Ronald McDonald House watching sailors paint, clean, and work on the house. I took a few photos of that too. When I have a moment I'll create an album of photos from Navy Week on my page.

[Melissa (Tucson)]

[Navy Week]

Navy Week returns to Albuquerque, Oct. 1-9, 2011! Visit our website, navyweek.org/albuquerque2011, for information, and reply to me if you'd like to participate. Thanks and Go Navy!

[Mary]

If any of you are considering it, do it!  It is such an honor to spend time with our sailors and to participate in the wonderful things they do for the community.