Everything I know about the Navy I learned from Top Gun. For instance:  1) Guys in the Navy look either like Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer or Anthony Edwards, 2) All pilots have cool nicknames like “Maverick” or “Iceman" and 3) Navy guys are really good at volleyball.

In all seriousness, the men and women of the U. S. military do many very important jobs throughout the world. Come learn about the mission and the heritage of the Navy at the 2010 St. Louis Navy Week. St. Louis is lucky enough to be one of 20 ports-of-call chosen to host this event.

One of the most popular parts of Navy Week is the air show, Airpower Over the Midwest. Bring your lawn chairs and cameras to Scott Air Force Base for a fun day the kids won’t forget. The renowned Blue Angels will be arriving in their famous Delta Formation. An A-10 Thunderbolt, F-16 Falcon, B-2A Spirit and F-4 Phantom II will be flying during the show. An F/A-18 Hornet, UH-60 Blackhawk and other aircrafts will be open to the public. The U.S. Army Gold Knights will also be performing parachute demonstrations.

This free event is happening at Scott Air Force Base on Sept. 11 and 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is also free. A complete schedule of Air Show events can be found here. The Saint Louis Science Center and New Town at St. Charles are also holding “Navy Days.” Get a firsthand military interactive experience on the Navy Simulator. Kids can watch Navy divers in the 7,500-gallon EOD Mobile Dive Tank. Sailors will also present “Any Day in the Navy” show-and-tell presentations of Navy equipment and uniforms. The Navy band Freedom will also be performing throughout the city during Navy Week.

And last, but certainly not least, Top Gun will be showing at St. Louis Union Station on Friday, Sept. 3, around dusk. If you have a need for speed, put on your aviator glasses and head down for the evening.

The 2010 St. Louis Navy Week is taking place at various locations around town from Sept. 2 to 12. For a complete listing of all the events, please visit Navy Week’s website.

By Andrea Wilson, Events Blogger for SmartParenting