Naval reserve members serve nation in many ways

The Naval Reserve Center in Cape Girardeau was established in the late 1940s. Its present building was dedicated by the city in 1969 and is located across from Arena Park on 4.85 acres of land leased from the city.

Currently, the full-time support staff consists of one officer and nine enlisted members. Also enlisted are 126 Selected Reservists and four units as follows: Naval Support Activity Bahrain Security Detachment Bravo, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 28 Detachment 0428, Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune Detachment Gulf and the Voluntary Training Unit.

Since September 11, 2001, 76 personnel have been mobilizied, with 47 returned and 29 still out in the field.

Community involvement includes quarterly blood drives, parades, Civil Air Patrol, SEMO District Fair, Cape Girardeau Air Festival, Friends of the Park and fund raisers in support of these and other community projects.