Everett FFR Team Comes Together to Support Operation MWR
June 17, 2024 | Story by Steve Buckley | Commander, Navy Installations Command
With a mere two weeks remaining until Operation MWR at Naval Station Everett, Shannon Posey, Deployed Forces Support and Liberty Program Manager, found herself thrust into the spotlight. Tasked with leading her very first concert event after the retirement of the former event coordinator, Posey faced the challenge head-on with the full support of the entire NS Everett Fleet and Family Readiness (FFR) team behind her.
“Shannon has shined beyond belief,” said Jon Fine, Naval Station Everett’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Director. “We’ve all worked together and we all said we would be supporting Shannon in any way, shape or form and that has happened – from Food & Beverage, to Fitness, to Community Rec, to MWR, to N9 [FFR]. Fleet and Family is out here helping as well, so everybody has pitched in to make it go as seamlessly as possible.”
Organized by the Navy’s MWR Entertainment Program and presented by GOVX, the Operation MWR concert series has hosted more than 65 free entertainment events in May and June 2024 at Navy installations worldwide. Other installations featured performances by Dierks Bentley, Ludacris, Goo Goo Dolls, Little Big Town, The All-American Rejects and many other acclaimed artists.
In Navy Region Northwest, Operation MWR starred Grammy-nominated pop rock sensation Plain White T’s and platinum-certified country music artist BRELAND. The musicians gave captivating performances on June 14 and 15 at Naval Station Everett and Naval Air Station Whidbey Island.
“This is my first concert being in charge,” said Posey, who was surprised when she was asked to take the lead on the major event. “It was great. I didn’t know our MWR director was going to give this event to me!”
In conjunction with the Operation MWR concerts, the Naval Station Everett team hosted their Summer Fest event featuring activities for adults and children. A Run for Color also was held before the concerts to help raise awareness for important issues such as domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, teen dating violence and suicide prevention.
“This year, we’re doing a kickoff to summer,” mentioned Posey. “We have some children’s activities, five different bounce houses, two airbrush artists, two balloon twist artists and cotton candy art. We added our color run at the beginning and then we have a Punt, Pass and Kick activity on the field. And then we have three food trucks, desserts and adult beverages.”
Turning the concert into a full day of activities took the support of the entire FFR team at Naval Station Everett, as well as from volunteer Sailors who helped set up and take down the staging area.
“Everyone has been so supportive and helpful,” added Posey. “It’s wonderful to know that they’re there.”
Navy MWR's Operation MWR will host 65+ free events at Navy installations worldwide from May to June 2024. These events aim to boost morale and resilience among service members and their families through live entertainment, recreational activities, food, games and more. Open to active duty members, reservists, veterans, retirees, DoD civilians and eligible MWR patrons. For more information about Operation MWR and to find your local event, please visit NavyMWR.org/OperationMWR.
Navy MWR’s mission is to deliver high-quality, customer-focused programs and services that contribute to resiliency, retention, readiness and quality of life. Navy MWR Entertainment tours make a positive impact on the morale of our troops. The program provides quality, live entertainment for Sailors stationed overseas and on deployed ships at sea. For more information about the program, visit NavyMWR.org/Entertainment.
No Navy endorsement implied.