Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Jonathan Greenert will represent the Navy at Chattanooga’s 66th annual Armed Forces Day parade and luncheon on Friday, May 1. He will attend the parade as senior reviewing officer and will serve as keynote speaker for the luncheon immediately following the parade festivities.
The public is invited to attend the parade, which will begin at 10:30 a.m. at MLK and Market Street, and tables to the noon luncheon at the Convention and Trade Center are available for purchase. Both events are presented by the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council (CAVC) and Hamilton County.
Admiral Greenert became the 30th chief of Naval Operations in September 2011. He is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate who completed studies in nuclear power for service as a submarine officer. His fleet command assignments include command posts with Submarine Squadron 11, U.S. Naval Forces Marianas, U.S. 7th Fleet and U.S. Fleet Forces Command. He is a recipient of various personal and campaign awards including the Distinguished Service Medal (6 awards), Defense Superior Service Medal and Legion of Merit (four awards). In 1992 he was awarded the Vice Admiral Stockdale Award for inspirational leadership.
Also participating in the parade and luncheon is the U.S. Navy Band, which performs at events such as presidential inaugurations, military changes of command and arrival ceremonies at the White House and Pentagon. They will be joined in the parade by civic and military organizations, area JROTC units, high school marching bands and other patriotic businesses and organizations.
“It’s an incredible honor to host the CNO and Navy Band in our great city,” said Billy Hewitt, CAVC chair. “This year’s parade is shaping up to be one of the largest in recent years, since so many people want to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear the Navy Band and interact with one of our nation’s top military leaders.”
Parade entry forms will be accepted until Wednesday, April 29, and the deadline for purchasing a table at the Armed Forces Day luncheon is Friday, April 24. Forms for both are available online at http://chattareaveterans.com.