Rear Adm. Jon W. Bayless Jr., Commander, Navy Region Midwest, accepts a proclamation from Rockford Alderman Carl Wasco, right and other members of the council designating June 1-8 as Navy Week.

ROCKFORD, Ill. (Jun. 02, 2007) Rear Adm. Jon W. Bayless Jr., Commander, Navy Region Midwest, accepts a proclamation from Rockford Alderman Carl Wasco, right and other members of the council designating June 1-8 as Navy Week in the city. The admiral was the keynote speaker at the opening ceremony of AirFest 2007 at the Chicago-Rockford International Airport, where the U.S. Navys Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team also performed. The events were part of 2007 Chicagoland Navy Week from June 1-8, which includes city ceremonies recognizing the Navy, appearances and tours by Navy officials and humanitarian visits by Sailors to hospitals and schools. Navy weeks are designed to show Americans the investment they have made in their Navy and increase awareness in cities that do not have a significant Navy presence. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Dale Zalke File# 070602-N-7915Z-006