Memorial Day marked the kickoff of Navy Week in Rhode Island. The event comes to cities across the U.S., but this is a first for the Ocean State, despite a long history with the Navy. East Greenwich (unofficially) touts itself as the birthplace of the American Navy, and Newport continues to be home to a naval station, and the Naval War College.

Rhode Island Public Radio’s morning host Chuck Hinman sat down with Capt. Dennis Boyer, commanding officer at Naval Station Newport to talk about the celebration and the Navy's role in Rhode Island, past and present.

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