The Navy had to cancel its annual appearance at Portland Rose Festivals Fleet Week, but that didnt stop volunteers from bringing the Rose Fest to sailors.
An intergenerational group of volunteers packed 50 boxes to send to young sailors heading to Afghanistan on Saturday, June 1, at Courtyard Fountains, a senior community in Gresham.
The project drew volunteers from the Rose Festival Court; local Girl Scouts; participants in Mollys Adopt a Sailor Project; and residents of Courtyard Fountains.
Because of the effects of federal sequestration, this year the Navy was unable to send its vessels to Fleet Week, a Rose Festival tradition dating back to 1907.
On its website, the Rose Festival wrote a statement that it values its longtime relationship with the U.S. Navy and looks forward to the resumption of the Navys participation in Fleet Week in the future.
Fleet Week was created as a way to celebrate and thank active and reserve military personnel and all veterans.
