Community Corner
Historic First Navy Week Anchors on the Connecticut River
Press release by Lt.j.g. Madison Kwok, U.S. Navy, Navy Office of Community Outreach
The U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard performs during a ceremony held at the Virginia War Memorial during Richmond Navy Week 2025, May 16. Richmond Navy Week is one of 15 Navy Weeks during the Navy’s 250th year celebration, bringing 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Mark Peña)
Historic First Navy Week Anchors on the Connecticut River
By Lt.j.g. Madison Kwok, U.S. Navy, Navy Office of Community Outreach
MILLINGTON, Tenn. — The U.S. Navy is setting a course for the Connecticut River Valley this fall, launching the Hartford-Springfield region’s first-ever Navy Week from September 22–28. Navy Weeks bring the fleet to the community, with 50 to 60 active-duty Sailors from across the country engaging in outreach events designed to educate, inspire, and strengthen community ties.
Connecticut River Valley Navy Week will be uniquely anchored around The Big E — New England’s iconic multi-state fair — offering the Navy an opportunity to engage with thousands of visitors across the six-state region. With many events taking place throughout a region known for its innovation, education, and industry — Navy Week aims to build lasting partnerships in one of the Northeast’s most dynamic population centers.
“The Connecticut River Valley has played a significant role in shaping our naval heritage — from shipbuilding along the Connecticut shoreline to the naval installations that have called New England home for generations,” said Cmdr. Julie Holland, Director of the Navy Office of Community Outreach. “Hosting Navy Week here during our yearlong 250th birthday festivities offers a meaningful opportunity to honor that legacy, strengthen our ties with the region, and engage with the vibrant communities throughout the Knowledge Corridor who continue to support and inspire our Sailors today.”
Since its inception in 2005, the Navy Week program has visited more than 95 markets across the United States. Those in the Hartford-Springfield area can expect to meet
● Senior Navy Leaders: Meet and hear from Rear Adm. John Menoni, senior executive for Connecticut River Valley Navy Week.
● Namesake Ships: Interact with Sailors serving aboard the USS Hartford (SSN-768), USS Connecticut (SSN 22) or the USS Springfield (SSN 761).
● U.S. Navy Band Northeast: Enjoy live musical performances and masterclasses led by talented Navy musicians.
● Naval History and Heritage Command: Explore the rich connection between New England and the Navy through interactive presentations and educational programs.
● USS Constitution: Witness demonstrations featuring the Navy’s oldest commissioned ship and its enduring legacy.
● Navy Talent Acquisition Group New England: Discover opportunities within the Navy through community projects, displays, and career discussions.
● Plus many more Sailors serving across the Fleet representing a wide range of naval STEM capabilities, including hometown Sailors from the “Hart” of New England.
For more details on Connecticut River Valley Navy Week, visit https://outreach.navy.mil/navy-weeks/ or contact Lt.j.g. Madison Kwok at (901) 874-7069 or via email at madison.k.kwok,mil@us.navy.mil.
