JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
The Navy Operational Support Center Charleston, the City of North Charleston, and the Navy League of Charleston will celebrate the Navy Reserve Centennial, March 7, at Riverfront Park in North Charleston, S.C.
Since its formation on March 3, 1915 from a campaign launched by Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels and his assistant Franklin D. Roosevelt, the Navy Reserve has played a pivotal role in Naval history. In the early 1940's, Reserve Sailors made up 84 percent of the Navy's fighting force during World War II and contributed greatly to every war, major conflict, and humanitarian mission since that time.
During the last decade alone more than 70,000 Navy Reserve Sailors have mobilized in support of the Global War on Terror, 8,000 of whom have deployed multiple times. Today, at least 20,000 Navy Reserve Sailors, or about one third of the Navy's Reserve Component, is providing fully integrated global operational support to fleet and combatant commanders.
To help celebrate the history of the Navy Reserve, the City of North Charleston and the Navy League of Charleston have lined up a series of family friendly attractions and events including the Navy Fleet Forces Rock Band form Norfolk, Va., tours of USS Shamal (PC-13), a static display of a Sea Dragon MH-53E helicopter, a small boat demonstration by the North Charleston Fire Department, a fly over by Navy jets, food trucks, and a fireworks finale that will conclude the festivities.
"This is going to be a great opportunity for everyone to connect with their local Navy Reserve Sailors, while celebrating an important milestone for the U.S. Navy Reserve," Said Cmdr. Stephen Jones, NOSC Charleston commanding officer.
With events for the entire family, the public is invited to celebrate with the Navy Reserve and the City of North Charleston. For safety reasons, if you would like to tour the USS Shamal, be sure to wear closed toe shoes without heels and no skirts.
The event will be held from 11a.m. to 6:30p.m., and is free of charge and open to the public. Riverfront Park is adjacent to what was once officer housing on Charleston Navy Base, making it a great location to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Navy Reserve.