Navy SEALS Visit YMCA During Navy Week
Nov 10, 2015 03:16PM ● By Jessica Thompson
By Jessica Thompson
Taylorsville - Navy SEALS arrived in their 1813 uniforms at the Taylorsville YMCA on Sept. 9 to teach the youth about the past, present and future of the U.S. Navy, while giving them a hands-on experience. As part of the event, youth had the opportunity to try on the uniform of a Navy SEAL. “The youth really liked being able to dress up in the SEALS’ uniforms. It was so fun for them to try on the big coats and hats. They really got involved with it,” Julia Breinholt, the YMCA’s marketing and events manager, said.
The youth of the YMCA were captivated by the unique presentation given by the Navy SEALS. They were taught how to tie a special knot, and the children reenacted a battle from the Navy’s history. During the reenactment, the kids got to shout BOOM as loud as they could. Another favorite moment was when a Navy SEAL brought out a sword.
“There is no faster way to get kids to say, ‘WOW!’ than to bring out a sword,” Breinholt said.
The SEALS were very careful with the sword, and it was a great way for the children to learn about our country and its history. Children of the YMCA were taught about the history of the United States through a presentation on the U.S. Navy’s past. “Instead of hearing it from the news or hearing it from a parent, an actual Navy SEAL came and gave a presentation on the U.S. Constitution. It’s something out of the ordinary and something the kids will never forget,” Breinholt said.
The Navy SEALS reached out to the YMCA, and the Salt Lake Valley was selected as a location for the SEALS to give their presentation. A lot of children haven’t had an experience with the Navy or its past, so having them come visit different schools, as well as the YMCAs of West Valley and Taylorsville, was a great experience for the children to learn something new and gain a different perspective.
“It’s a very unique and novel presentation because we are land locked, making this experience one not a lot of children have had before. It was great to see the kids so engaged. They were very well-behaved and were really quiet,”
Breinholt said. “We are so thankful to have these positive role models for the kids of the YMCA. The Navy SEALS made such a good impression that we are very thankful for.”
For more information about events and activities hosted by the YMCA, visit www.ymcautah.org for a calendar. The YMCA is located at 4223 S. Atherton Drive, next to Lincoln Elementary, in Taylorsville.
