EVERETT – Though two of Everett’s biggest warships return today, the community can continue its homecoming celebration next week by rubbing elbows with Navy men and women, and learning more about what they were doing while deployed.
The city of Everett, Snohomish County, the Everett Council of the Navy League of the United States, and the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce have joined forces to plan this year’s festivities.
The first homecoming event will be an educational one – a tsunami summit at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Everett Historic Theater, 2911 Colby Ave. Two international experts on tsunamis and earthquakes will speak, Frank Gonzalez of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration and Craig Weaver from the U.S. Geological Survey.
The event is free, but seating is limited to 800 people. Doors open at 6 p.m.
The Humanity’s Heroes community celebration March 12 will serve to welcome home the sailors and recognize the community for its tsunami relief efforts.
At 10:30 a.m., about 400 sailors and their families will march, with a police and firefighter escort from Everett High School to the Snohomish County Campus Plaza at 3000 Rockefeller Ave.
The celebration at the plaza will begin about 11 a.m., where organizers will hand out 5,000 red, white and blue pompoms. Cultural entertainment, speeches and informational booths on tsunami aid are planned.
Participants are encouraged to bring cut flowers to place in a tribute garden honoring disaster victims. City Floral and Cheri’s Floral donated more than 1,000 roses and carnations to hand out.
Reporter Jennifer Warnick: 425-339-3429 or jwarnick@heraldnet.com.
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