Trenton Navy Week brings Sailors from across the fleet to the area to emphasize the importance of the Navy to Trenton, the state of New Jersey, and the Nation.
Participating Navy organizations include Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) New Jersey, USS Princeton (CG 59), USS George Washington (CVN 73), Navy Band Northeast, U.S. National Ice Center, Navy Talent Acquisition Group Philadelphia, USS Constitution, Naval Weapons Station Earle, U.S. Fleet Forces, Naval History and Heritage Command, and Office of Small Business Programs.
More than 50 Sailors will participate in education and community outreach events throughout the city, including a Navy Day on the pier in Camden, New Jersey, on Saturday, May 7. All participating commands will follow DOD, CDC, state, and local guidelines for safety during the current pandemic.
The Navy's senior executive hosts are Cmdr. Jared Smith, commanding officer, PCU New Jersey, and Cmdr. Evita Salles, deputy director, Office of Women’s Policy. During Trenton Navy Week, both executives will participate in community engagements and speak with local businesses, civic, education, and government leaders.
"I am honored to represent both the Navy and the future USS New Jersey this week in Trenton," said Smith. "The opportunity for our Sailors to be here and learn more about the Garden State will only enhance the pride felt every day they come to work. We are excited to give back to the communities that support us and provide an opportunity for members of this great state to learn about the Navy and one of her newest submarines."
Navy Weeks are a series of outreach events coordinated by the Navy Office of Community Outreach designed to give Americans an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity. Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy's flagship outreach effort into areas of the country without a significant Navy presence, providing the public a firsthand look at why the Navy matters to cities like Trenton.
“It brings me great joy to visit my hometown and state, the same place where I embarked full steam ahead on my journey in the greatest Navy in the world,” said Salles. “It all started with my time in NJROTC at Neptune High School, and I could not be more proud to be here representing the Navy and sharing how the Navy has profoundly impacted me.”
Throughout the week, Sailors will participate in various community events across the area, including engaging with students across multiple high schools and volunteering for the cities of Trenton and Camden, the Salvation Army, Boys and Girls Club, Rescue Mission Trenton, and Habitat for Humanity. Residents will also enjoy live music by Navy Band Northeast at venues throughout the week, including at Trenton Thunder Ballpark at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 6.
Sailors will also be joined by officers of the New Jersey State Troopers Fraternal Association for a community clean up at Alberta Woods Park in Camden, New Jersey, on Wednesday, May 4. Mr. Victor Carstarphen, Mayor of Camden, will lead the efforts as part of his Camden Strong-Clean Camden Campaign.
"It is such an honor for the City of Camden to be included in Navy Week actives," said Carstarphen. "The Navy made a firm commitment to engage with our Camden residents and participate at community events like our Camden Strong-Clean Camden Campaign neighborhood cleanup. These interactions will undoubtedly leave a meaningful impact on our community and the connections are particularly long lasting for our young people. I commend the Navy personal and leadership, as they exemplify the true meaning of service."
Trenton Navy Week is one of 14 Navy Weeks in 2022, which brings a variety of assets, equipment, and personnel to a single city for a weeklong series of engagements designed to bring America's Navy closer to the people it protects. Each year, the program reaches more than 140 million people -- about half the U.S. population.
Media organizations wishing to cover Trenton Navy Week events should contact Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Chambers at (901) 874-7069 or kevin.l.chambers4.mil@us.navy.mil.