(ALBUQUERQUE, NM) - Navy Week and the naturalization ceremony of a New Mexico Army National Guard veteran as an American citizen will highlight 2016 Military & Veterans Day at the State Fair Tuesday, September 13 at the Fairgrounds.

Military veterans, retirees, National Guard/Reserve and active-duty personnel will be admitted free to the annual day at the state fair presented by the New Mexico Department of Veterans Services, the New Mexico National Guard, and the New Mexico State Fair to honor and thank the men and women who have served our country as members of the United States Armed Forces.

Veterans, National Guard/Reserve personnel, and retirees must present either a valid Uniformed Services/Retiree Identification Card, a veterans-designation driver's license, VA Veterans Health ID Card, or a copy of their DD-214 Separation Papers at the gate in order to obtain the free admission. Active-duty personnel must show a valid Uniformed Services ID card. Non-veteran/non-military spouses or family members are not eligible for the free admission.

In addition to the numerous rides and attractions at the state fair, there will be dozens of booths, exhibits and information tables along "Main Street" staffed by military service branches, veterans' organizations, and other community service groups.

In honor of Navy Week in Albuquerque, the 11 a.m. ceremony on the main stage will celebrate the U.S. Navy, which has chosen Albuquerque as one of fifteen designated Navy Week cities for 2016.

American Gold Star Mothers/New Mexico Chapter will also read the names of the 87 New Mexicans who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving our country in combat since the Global War on Terror commenced shortly after the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks in 2001.

To conclude the ceremony, a New Mexico Army National Guard veteran will realize his long-held dream of being sworn in as an American citizen by an official from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services department.

Fairground gates open at 9am, and free parking is available at Gate 8. Expo New Mexico/the New Mexico State Fairgrounds is located at 300 San Pedro Drive NE in Albuquerque.

For more information about Military & Veterans Day at the New Mexico State Fair, contact Josetta Rodriguez at Josetta.rodriguez@state.nm.us.

Navy Week in Albuquerque

Navy Week, designated by the U.S. Navy in Albuquerque as September 12-18, is coordinated by the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) in 14 other cities this year to provide Americans an opportunity to learn about the Navy, its service members, and their importance to national security and prosperity. It is the Navy's flagship outreach effort into areas without a significant Navy presence.

There are numerous Navy Week events scheduled throughout the Albuquerque metro area. For more information, go to http://outreach.navy.mil/Navy-Weeks/Albuquerque/.