Pom-Poms And P-3s: Everybody Loves A Parade At NAVAIR Depot Jacksonville
By Shelly Sikes Diaz, NAVAIR Depot Jacksonville Public Affairs Specialist

Pom-poms sparkled and aircraft reverberated to the beat of a local high school drum and color guard brigade as they led a parade of Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) volunteers through Naval Air (NAVAIR) Depot Jacksonville on October 21, 2004. The parade was an effort to publicize the Depot’s fund raising efforts for the United Way.

Twelve percussionists and seven members of the color guard from Jacksonville’s Nathan B. Forrest High School marched through aircraft hangars, machine shops and an office building. As they promenaded around F/A-18 Hornets and P-3 Orions, surprised aircraft mechanics popped up out of cockpits and fuselages to watch the parade. The drummers were followed by CFC key workers carrying hand made signs encouraging people to donate to the campaign.

The CFC is the division of the United Way funded solely by federal government employees. NAVAIR Depot Jacksonville is the largest manufacturer in Northeast Florida/Southeast Georgia, and is a major contributor to the regional CFC. Depot employees contributed over $237, 000 to the 2003 campaign. The Depot was recently recognized for it generosity by Jacksonville Jaguar owner Wayne Weaver, who is honorary chairman of this year’s United Way campaign.

Ron Warren, a sheet metal mechanic on the F/A-18 Hornet line, said he was surprised to see the brigade. “I never expected anything like that. It was a definite improvement over the sound of hammers hitting aircraft.” Veronica Brooks, an office administrator and CFC volunteer, said, “That was so much fun. I wish we could do it again!”

Kent Staples, the band director, said the students really appreciated the chance to help raise funds for the CFC. He said, “It was awe inspiring to see the work done at the depot. We are happy to serve our community and the nation in this way.”

– USN –

“NAVAIR provides cost-wise readiness and dominant maritime combat power to make a great Navy/Marine Corps team better.”