DATE: Wednesday, September 17, 1997         TAG: 9709170009

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B10  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Editorial 

                                            LENGTH:   28 lines

NAVY, MARINES, COAST GUARD SEA-SERVICES PARTY

The U.S. Navy turns age 222 on Oct. 13. The U.S. Marine Corps turns 222 on Nov. 10. And Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth upstages both by turning 230 on Nov. 1.

These anniversaries are being spotlighted appropriately by a bodacious celebration of the military presence in Hampton Roads, with the sea services at its center. The Virginia Beach Neptune Festival which begins today (Sept. 17-21) kicks off the series of events. Veterans Day (Nov. 11) marks the end.

Among the highlights: the Neptune Festival Air Show at Oceana Naval Air Station; a juried exhibition of works by military artists at the Portsmouth Museums Arts Center; a Navy Birthday Band Concert at Chrysler Hall and a Navy Steel Band (from New Orleans) concert at Portsmouth's Portside; Fleet Week festivities, including music, at Norfolk's Town Point Park; Phoebus Days in Hampton; the Suffolk Peanut Festival; the Fleet Chili Cook-Off in Virginia Beach; and open house on Navy vessels at Nauticus and Norfolk Naval Station.

Hampton Roads is the capital of the U.S. Navy. ``Navy town'' long was a term of scorn. For some it still is pejorative. But with its big annual sea-services party, Hampton Roads is signaling: ``Navy town? Smile when you say that.''

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