Four U.S. Navy admirals were knighted, June 6, at the Royal Rosarian honorary knighting ceremony, held during the 101st
Annual Portland Rose Festival.
Vice Adm. Robert Conway Jr., Commander, Navy Installations Command; Vice Adm. Samuel Locklear III, commander U.S. 3rd
Fleet; Rear Adm. Timothy Giardina, commander, Submarine Group Trident; and Rear Adm. James Symonds, commander, Navy
Region Northwest, were among a total of 48 citizens receiving the honorary knighthood into the Royal Rosarians.
“It was an awesome event,” said Symonds. “I had no idea the sort of company I would be in. This is pretty amazing for a kickoff
to the Rose Festival. This is the sort of thing that makes us feel at home; this was absolutely a first class event. These folks who
are committed to the Rosarians year after year do great work supporting the Rose Festival and Fleet Week.”
Over the years, the knighting ceremony has recognized hundreds of famous and successful individuals. This year, the knighting
ceremony was held at the Portland Rose Garden Ampitheater, and was presided over by the Queen of Rosaria, Elizabeth Larson.
She read the new knightly titles of those receiving the recognition, and proclaimed their knighthood, witnessed by the Rose Festival Court.
“This is a great honor and a privilege,” said Locklear. “I have been envious of people my entire 36 years in the Navy who have gotten
to come to the Portland Rose Festival and undergo this ceremony. It’s one of those things you must do as a vice admiral in the Navy
if you get the chance.”
“This is great for our Sailors and our wardrooms to get out and enjoy the festivities in Portland and we are certainly welcomed here,”
said Locklear. “We have a lot of our forces overseas doing great things; this is a good opportunity for people to stay connected with
the United States Navy. So, these festivals are pretty important that we keep supporting them and we keep the American people aware
of the sacrifices that our men and women are making today.”
The Royal Rosarians are 275 men and women who serve as the official greeters and goodwill ambassadors for the city of Portland, also
known as the City of Roses.