The Norfolk NATO Festival is always an anticipated date on the regional calendar, but this year it comes with a little extra fanfare. The military alliance marks its 75th anniversary, an occasion worthy of the celebration expected in Hampton Roads this weekend.
The city and the region take great pride in being a bedrock of the nation’s defense, and NATO’s presence here accentuates that. The organization has been instrumental in keeping the peace in Europe and North America and, despite the challenges before it, remains a force for good that advances American interests.
In the aftermath of a ruinous war against facism that cost millions of lives and left much of Europe in rubble, leaders of the United States, Canada and western European nations forged a pact that would guard against another conflict and counterbalance the influence of the Soviet Union.
The treaty they signed on April 4, 1949, created the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, an alliance that marked its 75th anniversary this month. From the 12 original signatories to the North Atlantic Treaty, membership has grown to include 32 nations following the inclusion of Finland in 2023 and Sweden in March.
The NATO alliance strengthened the military and economic bonds between these Western nations, but the heart of the treaty is in Article 5, which provides for the mutual defense of member nations. An attack against one is an attack against all.
That provision has only been invoked once, following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attack against the United States. NATO nations stood shoulder to shoulder with U.S. forces in Afghanistan, providing invaluable assistance in the campaign against al-Qaida and the Taliban.
Despite coming to our aid in one of this country’s darkest hours, there are still prominent voices who cast doubt on the importance of NATO. As president, Donald Trump mulled withdrawing from NATO and in February said he “would encourage [Russia] to do whatever the hell they want” to members that don’t meet spending guidelines on defense.
That grim preview of a future Trump presidency stands in sharp contrast to the valor demonstrated by NATO nations in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, arguably the most perilous challenge in the alliance’s history. Should Russia’s war effort succeed, its forces would sit on the border with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania, all NATO nations. Ukraine’s defense should be considered paramount, despite the country not being a member of the alliance.
Hampton Roads needs no lesson on the importance of the NATO alliance. The region is proud to be “NATO’s Home in North America,” as the organization’s Allied Command Transformation and Joint Force Command Norfolk are both located here.
Personnel assigned to those commands are not only representatives of their nations, working hand-in-hand with U.S. forces to counter international threats and ensure our collective security. Here they are also our colleagues, friends and neighbors — people who live and work in Hampton Roads.
That’s why the annual NATO Festival is such a special event. Yes, it celebrates an organization that has served this nation and this region so well for 75 years. But it also pays tribute to the people who are part of this community.
That began Thursday with the ceremonial flag-raising at Scope Arena and continues this weekend with the Parade of Nations through Norfolk at 10 a.m. Saturday followed by the International Village at Town Point Park, featuring exhibitions, demonstrations, food and drinks from member nations. A rugby match between the XV du Pacifique French Army and U.S. Marines at Powhatan Field on Old Dominion University’s campus, kicking off at 5 p.m. Sunday concludes the festivities.
Those events are free, but the Virginia International Tattoo — the annual performances by military bands, massed pipes and drums, military drill teams — requires tickets. Those shows are always well attended and take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Scope.
NATO remains a force for good — for the world, for this nation and for our region. That’s worth celebrating.
