Anchors Away

By Krista Thom
Staff Writer

Topographically speaking, the FM area is known for its flat land punctuated by a number of lakes. What it is not known for is access to the ocean, which could be why Fargo is not home to a large naval presence.

But for one week, from Aug. 8-13, things will be different. The Navy has chosen Fargo to host one of this year’s Navy Weeks, which consists of a number of activities centered around the Fargo Airsho. Events include performances by the band Horizon, Navy Day at the Fargo Children’s Museum, and a display of naval aviation at the Fargo Air Museum. The Airsho will feature flight simulators and video games, as well as demonstrations by the Navy’s showpiece group, the Blue Angels.

Fargo’s special guest for the week will be Rear Adm. Mark D. Guadagnini, whose career includes stints as a squadron commander and test pilot. Guadagnini will be making several appearances at local clubs and media organizations.

Fargo’s Navy Week will be one of 21 similar celebrations held this year across the United States. Other Navy Weeks are scheduled in Cincinnati, Tampa, Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis, Omaha, and Dallas/Ft. Worth.

It may seem a little strange that the Navy is targeting Fargo, considering how few ships we have around here. Lt. Chika Onyekanne, who handled much of the planning for Fargo’s Navy Week, explained that the Navy tries to pick cities that don’t always get to see the Navy at work.
As Onyekanne explains it, the biggest goal of Navy week is outreach. “We like to show Americans what their tax dollars are buying,” he said. “We like to show people that the Navy is broader than they might think.” As evidence of this, he pointed out the Navy’s humanitarian work in Japan and Haiti, and groups like Horizon and the Blue Angels, which have nothing to do with seafaring.

And, of course, if Navy Week convinces people to sign up for the Navy, it wouldn’t be a bad thing. Onyekanne said, “We hope it sparks peoples’ interest, because they can see all the different options available in the Navy. They may say, ‘‘oh, it’d be cool to do that.’”

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If You Go:
What: Fargo Navy Week
When: August 8-13
Where: Multiple locations in the FM area
Information: More information, including a complete schedule of events, can be found at http://www.navyweek.org/fargo2011