Mayor welcomes captain and crew with key to the city
Heralding the onset of Jacksonville’s Week of Valor, Mayor Alvin Brown joined Rear Admiral John Scorby, Commander, Navy Region Southeast, and Mark S. Lee, Vice President of Brand Development & Marketing Communications for Florida Blue to welcome the arrival of the USS Bataan and Commanding Officer Captain Erik Ross. Mayor Brown presented Captain Ross and his crew with the key to the city.
The USS Bataan will serve as the platform for the 2012 Navy-Marine Corps Classic men’s college basketball game presented by Florida Blue. The ship is part of the representational amphibious ready group ships that U.S. Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus announced will be homeported in the Jacksonville area.
“I am proud and honored at the arrival of the USS Bataan at Naval Station Mayport,” Mayor Brown said. “Our community enjoys substantial ties to the active duty military members who drive our economy and our quality of life. That’s why I elevated military affairs to a cabinet-level office in my administration, and it’s why we work every day to ensure a great relationship with our current and retired service members.”
The ship’s arrival signals the start of the Week of Valor on Monday, Nov. 5, a week of events highlighting the service and sacrifice of Jacksonville’s military and veterans community with an emphasis on jobs and veteran services.
"The Navy is proud to be a part of the City of Jacksonville's ‘Week of Valor,’” said Rear Admiral Scorby. “This is just the latest example of our long-standing friendship that makes the Jacksonville area the most requested duty station in the Navy."
Mayor Brown spearheaded the creation of the week to celebrate the city’s relationship with the military and veterans communities. In addition to major events, the Week of Valor will be used by Mayor Brown to advocate for enhanced services and opportunities for veterans and active duty members of our armed forces.
“Florida Blue is proud to partner with the City of Jacksonville to showcase our support of the men and women of our armed forces and honor our military veterans,” said Mark S. Lee, Vice President of Brand Development & Marketing Communications for Florida Blue.
The week kicks off on Monday with the Jax Chamber Military Appreciation Luncheon. On Wednesday, community leaders and service providers through the city will participate in a Veterans Summit at the University of North Florida. And on Friday, the city will host a Veterans Job Fair at the Prime Osborne Convention Center.
The week will also feature two nationally-televised events: the Thursday night matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Field and Friday’s Navy-Marine Corps Classic on the flight deck of the USS Bataan.
For more information on the Week of Valor, visit
www.coj.net.