MILLINGTON, Tenn. – U.S. Navy sailors from across the fleet are headed to Alaska for Anchorage Navy Week, June 16 to 22, to volunteer in the community and discuss why the Navy matters to the Land of the Midnight Sun.
While many of the sailors are from all over the country, this Navy Week will carry special meaning for visiting sailors from the area, including Lt. Cmdr. Willis Lyford, a native of Anchorage, Alaska.
Lyford graduated from West Anchorage High School in 2005. Additionally, Lyford graduated from the University of Virginia with a bachelor's degree in biology and from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences with a Doctor of Medicine.
Upon joining the Navy, Lyford quickly found that many of the skills and values forged in Anchorage were the same as those needed to succeed in the Navy.
"Anchorage is a great place to grow up, and it really taught me pride in my community and where you are from," Lyford said. "This pride of place is something I bring with me to every Navy command I travel to, doing my best to help the Navy improve the community we serve in while also focusing on our primary mission."
Lyford, who joined the Navy 15 years ago, is assigned to Naval Medical Center San Diego.
"My grandfather was a 30-plus-year Navy veteran and never really retired, as he served in a civilian capacity even after leaving active duty," Lyford said. "He was my inspiration to pursue my medical training at the Uniformed Services University and become a Navy physician."
Lyford is part of the first Navy Week to be hosted by Anchorage. Navy Weeks are a series of outreach events coordinated by the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) designed to give Americans an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its people, and its importance to national security and prosperity.
"The Navy is one of the great foundational organizations of America, and being able to share pride in my work and my role and the important work that the Navy does is rewarding for me," Lyford said.
Today, Lyford serves as a Navy physician.
"I primarily care for and treat patients, including active duty sailors and Marines, as well as members' spouses and children, and military veterans in our area," Lyford said. "I also work closely to train resident physicians and engage in scholarly research work."
Lyford has had many opportunities to excel in the Navy and sees military service as more than just a job – it represents a chance to become a better person.
"Through my role as a Navy dermatologist, I have advocated for the importance of skin cancer screenings in servicemembers and veterans and have started a screening program to raise awareness of the importance of annual skin cancer screenings in general, but in this population overall," Lyford said.
Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s flagship outreach effort into areas of the country without a significant Navy presence, providing the public a firsthand look at why the Navy matters to cities like Anchorage.
“Sailors are the reason America’s Navy is the most powerful in the world,” said Cmdr. Julie Holland, NAVCO’s director. “We are thrilled to bring your Navy warfighters to Anchorage Navy Week. At Navy Weeks, Americans will connect with sailors who have strong character, competence, and dedication to the mission, and who continue a 250-year tradition of decisive power from seabed to cyberspace.”
Anchorage Navy Week events include Navy activities at the Chinooks vs. Miners baseball game in Chugiak, the Mayor’s Marathon and Kids Mile, Slam’n Salm’n Derby Kids Fishing Day and downtown Summer Solstice festivities. Sailors will also volunteer with organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, Food Bank of Alaska, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, VOA Alaska, Youth Employment in the Parks, Anchorage VA and summer programs with Anchorage Public Libraries, Campfire Alaska, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts.
"The Navy is one of the great foundational organizations of America, and being able to share pride in my work and my role and the important work that the Navy does is rewarding for me," Lyford said.
Today, Lyford serves as a Navy physician.
"I primarily care for and treat patients, including active duty sailors and Marines, as well as members' spouses and children, and military veterans in our area," Lyford said. "I also work closely to train resident physicians and engage in scholarly research work."
Lyford has had many opportunities to excel in the Navy and sees military service as more than just a job – it represents a chance to become a better person.
"Through my role as a Navy dermatologist, I have advocated for the importance of skin cancer screenings in servicemembers and veterans and have started a screening program to raise awareness of the importance of annual skin cancer screenings in general, but in this population overall," Lyford said.
Since 2005, the Navy Week program has served as the Navy’s flagship outreach effort into areas of the country without a significant Navy presence, providing the public a firsthand look at why the Navy matters to cities like Anchorage.
“Sailors are the reason America’s Navy is the most powerful in the world,” said Cmdr. Julie Holland, NAVCO’s director. “We are thrilled to bring your Navy warfighters to Anchorage Navy Week. At Navy Weeks, Americans will connect with sailors who have strong character, competence, and dedication to the mission, and who continue a 250-year tradition of decisive power from seabed to cyberspace.”
Anchorage Navy Week events include Navy activities at the Chinooks vs. Miners baseball game in Chugiak, the Mayor’s Marathon and Kids Mile, Slam’n Salm’n Derby Kids Fishing Day and downtown Summer Solstice festivities. Sailors will also volunteer with organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, Food Bank of Alaska, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, VOA Alaska, Youth Employment in the Parks, Anchorage VA and summer programs with Anchorage Public Libraries, Campfire Alaska, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts.
For a list of public events, visit https://outreach.navy.mil/Navy-Weeks/Anchorage-2025/