Ships of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and Royal Canadian Navy are scheduled to visit Detroit as part of the Navy’s Commemoration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 and Navy Week, Sept. 3-10. The week will be packed with family-friendly special events recognizing the Navy for keeping the sea lanes free for more than 200 years.

Area residents will have the opportunity to learn about the Navy’s role during the War of 1812 and about today’s Navy’s capabilities and relevance to national security. Visitors will get a chance to see the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and Canadian Navy firsthand through a wide array of community events and outreach activities. During the festivities, the public can visit Navy ships, attend concert performances by the U.S. Navy Band from Great Lakes, IL, view performances by the Navy Color Guard, and ride in the Navy flight simulator. Additionally, three U.S. Navy Admirals will be on hand for the festivities including Rear Admiral Sinclair M. Harris, Rear Admiral Gregory M. Nosal, and Detroit-native Rear Admiral John E. Jolliffe. The public will also get the chance to meet with active and reserve sailors and officers from the visiting ships, Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Michigan and Navy Operational Support Center (NOSC) Detroit.

"Just as last year, Detroit Navy Week 2012 will be our chance to demonstrate the mission of the U.S. Navy and our proud heritage; and this year is extra special as we commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812 - a great Naval victory," said Rear Admiral Harris, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet. "America's Navy invites the city of Detroit to come out to see us as at the community events. We also look forward to performing various community service projects and engage with local corporate and community leaders."

Arriving at the city’s riverfront on Sept. 4 will be the coastal patrol ship USS Hurricane (PC 3), the frigate USS De Wert (FFG 45) and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Katmai Bay, accompanied by the historic US Brig Niagara – a War of 1812 replica tall ship first constructed using the original wreckage salvaged from a Lake Erie bay in 1913. Also, the Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec will be pierside in Windsor, Ontario. All ships will be open for public visitation and private tours are available upon request.

Sailors and officers from NRD Michigan, NOSC Detroit, the visiting ships, as well as local U.S. Marines and Coast Guardsmen will participate in many community service and outreach projects, including volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, and interacting with youths at the local Boys and Girls Clubs and Detroit Children’s Hospital.

“This year, Navy Week is more important than ever as we commemorate the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the writing of our National Anthem, the Star Spangled Banner,” said Rear Admiral Nosal, commander of Carrier Strike Group Two. “The U.S. Navy is our nation’s front line in war and peace, operating on, above and below the water. I look forward to our Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard team visiting Detroit and showcasing our ships as well as the men and women on watch 24 hours a day protecting our way of life.”

The War of 1812, also known as America’s second war for independence, is regarded by many as the conflict that started our country’s rise to global influence. From 1812 to 1815, the United States fought to expand to the north and west, and to assert rights to trade freely with other countries without interference from Britain’s Royal Navy ships on the high seas. America’s modern Navy and its role as a global maritime force are deeply rooted in the events of 1812 to 1815.

 Click HERE for the full event schedule.

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