It had rained quite hard during the night because there were numerous puddles remaining in the CG when we got up. Although quite warm it was cloudy and overcast. The plan for the day was for us to go to Carolyn and Jack’s for breakfast then to the Navy Seal Museum.
After a tasty breakfast of French toast and scrambled eggs we were on our way. The museum was 90 minutes away so Ron, who is getting spoiled because he didn’t have to drive, really enjoyed the journey as a passenger. Carolyn and I sat in the back also enjoying the ride. It rained off and on and remained overcast for most of the day.
When we arrived at the Museum the rain had stopped and the sun peeked out briefly. The ground upon which the museum sits is recognized as the birthplace of the U.S. Navy “Frogman.” From 1943 to 1946, thousands of brave volunteers were trained as members of the Naval Combat Demolition Units (UCDU) and Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT). The WW II Frogmen have evolved into the most elite commando force in the world, the U.S. Navy SEALS.
The Museum was formally dedicated in November of 1985 and since then a continuous stream of history and artifacts have returned home to Fort Pierce. The exterior exhibits include Apollo training crafts, a Vietnam Era “Huey” helicopter and other watercraft and small boats. Inside holds a gallery that reveals the evolution of over 60 years of Naval Special Warfare. The displays include knives, firearms, photos, dive/marine equipment and dioramas of seals in action in Vietnam. There are training videos and a wall of Medal of Honor recipients.
Many of the volunteers working in the Museum were former Navy SEALS and were very informative. We were told that before the training facility in Fort Pierce became fully active there were less then 4000 people living in Fort Pierce. Once the training facility was in full force it brought that number up over 130,000.
We were at one time big “Survivor”” fans and had watched the year that Rudy Boesch had been a contestant. It mentioned that he had been a Navy SEAL but the implication of his job in that role didn’t hit home until we saw his picture, uniform and his rank of Master Chief. He was also an Olympic bobsledder – quite an athlete and no he didn’t win survivor!
As we were going through the Museum and looking at the artifacts and the pictures of the men who had been, are, and those training to be NAVY SEALS they all look like your All American boy next door. Certainly not the rough, tough, brave trained killers whose job was to succeed at a mission at all costs – even if it meant their lives. But there they all were protecting our country knowing all the risks. Ron and I both agree that it takes a very special person to do that type of job.
They had the original life boat from the Maersk Alabama. It was amazing when looking a the lifeboat how the SEAL snipers could actually take out the hijackers in rough seas without hurting the captain of the Maersk!!
They also have the mock-up of Obama Bin Laden’s compound that was presented to the Museum by 60 Minutes. The third photo depicts Bin Laden on the floor in a pool of blood. In the fourth picture is the tail end of the helicopter that crashed in the compound. It was destroyed to prevent anyone from getting any classified info and the men on board were all safe.
Even now looking at the mock up of the compound it’s seems surreal that these men in the dark of night completed a mission that was in the works for ten years.
Just about every museum we have been to has a piece of the World Trade Center on display.
We worked our way to the back of the Museum then outside to check out the huge MKV Special Operations Craft that is on a trailer and ready for deployment if needed.
By the time we got back outside to view the displays it was raining again. We walked to the Memorial for the Navy SEALS that died in combat since its inception. It is a beautiful Memorial. The wall of names reminded me of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC.
Even though it was raining (just a little) Ron wanted to check out the beach where much of the training occurred.
It was a very informative and terrific place to spend the day. Back at the Guthrie's we enjoyed a delicious spaghetti dinner and good company. Another great day visiting with our friends. We always have a good time with them.
We will be off to our much anticipated two weeks at Bahia Honda in the Florida Keys on Wednesday.
No comments:
Post a Comment