Defense secretary to visit suburban naval base

Defense Secretary Robert Gates is scheduled today to make his first visit to Great Lakes Naval Station near North Chicago, where he'll give the keynote address to freshly minted sailors.

Gates' visit comes nearly 1 1/2 years after Vice President Dick Cheney spoke to recruits at their graduation ceremony. About 1,100 recruits will graduate this morning after going through a grueling eight weeks at the Navy's only boot camp.

Todd Willebrand, a Great Lakes spokesman, said it'll be Gates' first visit to the base since President George W. Bush appointed him as defense secretary in 2006. President Barack Obama asked Gates to continue in the post, which was a first for the Defense Department.

Graduation ceremonies are not open to the public. Recruits are allowed to invite three or four guests to graduation, which is held for a different class nearly once a week.

Navy officials will allow public access to the base later in the day, though, for a free concert with actor Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band. Sinise's group is slated to play at 5 p.m., with gates opening an hour before the show.

Those attending the concert must have valid photo identification and enter through Gate 1 at Sheridan Road and Farragut Avenue, with vehicles subject to search. Neither pets nor carry-ins of any kind will be permitted.

Sinise, a Highland Park native and star of "CSI New York," has been a periodic Great Lakes visitor. He's the USO of Illinois' goodwill ambassador.