GALVESTON, TX, January 10, 2007 - Galveston Island has been selected to host a Navy Week from February 14th – 20th 2007. Navy Week is a series of events the Navy hosts in various cities across the U.S. as part of a community outreach effort. They choose cities that not only show a strong interest in the Navy but also those cities that have a community event that they can be a part of, such as Mardi Gras! Galveston.

The purpose of Navy Week is to highlight the Navy in communities that don’t traditionally have a local Navy presence, and to increase awareness of the Navy. Ensign Dilshad Kasmani, the Houston-area Public Affairs Officer for the Navy Office of Community Outreach, says this is the third year for the nationwide program.

According to Ensign Kasmani, “Galveston Navy Week is one of 25 coordinated events by the Navy Office of Community Outreach in 2007. Reaching out to heartland cities of America, Navy Weeks provide heartland communities a chance to meet fleet sailors and learn first hand about the capabilities and opportunities in the U.S. Navy.”

Ensign Kasmani goes on to say that Galveston was one of the cities chosen to host a Navy Week because the City has shown such a great interest in the Navy.

“The City of Galveston has been very supportive of the Navy. The City hosted the USS Texas Commissioning in September and numerous Navy ship visits over the past few years. Galveston was selected as a site for a 2007 Navy Week in the hopes of building on our existing relationship with the City, and furthering the region’s awareness of the U.S. Navy.”

As a part of the weeklong event in Galveston, the Navy Band New Orleans rock band, “The Express,” will perform the second Friday of Mardi Gras! Galveston (February 16th) on a stage in the heart of the Entertainment District at 7:30pm. The band will also perform during the Knights of Momus Grand Night Parade on Saturday, February 17th at 6:30 pm, and the Fat Tuesday Parade on February 20th. During Navy Week the USS Carter Hall will be in port and will be available for tours. Also adding to the experience of Navy Week is the “Accelerate Your Life Display,” a new interactive virtual reality system which offers an inside look into the Navy with a 3-D experience. A Navy Flight Simulator will also be in town to give visitors a near life-like experience in the cockpit of a Navy jet.

Ernie Connor, Chairman of the Galveston Naval Foundation says the foundation has worked with the Navy for more than 10 years now and has hosted more than 40 port visits in Galveston over the 10 years period.

Connor says, “Every year we try to increase the Navy’s presence in Galveston and also try to get the Navy more interested in spending time in Galveston. We are very pleased that the Navy has chosen Galveston for this event. We have always known that Galveston would be a great place for the Navy to have a Navy Week and we are very excited that now they are coming. This will be great for Galveston.”

For more information about Navy Week in Galveston and a schedule of events for Navy Week visit www.navy.mil/navco