Legislation Would Designate the Ft. Pierce Museum the Official National Museum of Navy SEALs and Their Predecessors

(Washington, DC) -- Congressman Tim Mahoney's bill to designate the Navy UDT-SEAL Museum in Ft. Pierce, Florida as the Official National Museum of Navy SEALs and Their Predecessors passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a voice vote.  The bill, H.R. 2779, has the support of 44 cosponsors.

 "The Navy UDT-SEAL Museum in Ft. Pierce, FL commemorates an important part of our nation's history.  Designating the Ft. Pierce museum as the Official National Museum of Navy SEALs and Their Predecessors would help raise awareness of this unique local treasure so people from throughout the country and the world can come to our community to learn about these brave American heroes.  We are forever indebted to the Navy SEALs and their predecessors for their courage, patriotism, and sacrifice.  It is important that these heroes are honored and their stories are told," said Congressman Tim Mahoney.

 "This is a tremendous honor. We are extremely grateful for Congressman Mahoney's support of this.  It is a great thing for not only the museum, but the county, the state, and the SEAL community which goes back to the UDTs of WWII.  It's a great thing for the museum and our future. We hope this will put us on the map and we will become a destination for visitors and tourists.  We think this will open the door for big plans in our future," said Capt. Mike Howard, ret., Director of the Navy UDT-SEALs Museum in Ft Pierce, FL.

 Designating the Navy UDT-SEALs Museum in Ft. Pierce, Florida as the National Museum of the Navy SEALs and Their Predecessors will elevate the status of the museum, help generate national awareness, assist the museum in obtaining grants, and help strengthen its relationship with the Department of Defense and Special Operations Command.  

 The Navy UDT-SEAL Museum is the only museum dedicated solely to preserving the legacy of the honor, courage, patriotism, and sacrifices of Navy SEALs and their predecessors, including the Underwater Demolition Teams, Naval Combat Demolition Units, Office of Strategic Services Maritime Units, and Amphibious Scouts and Raiders.

 The ground upon which the Navy UDT-SEAL Museum rests was the birthplace of the Navy Frogmen.  Through World War II thousands of brave soldiers were trained as members of Naval Combat Demolition Units and Underwater Demolition Teams at the site.  Since that time, the Frogmen have evolved into one of the most elite fighting forces in the world, the Navy SEALs.

 Since the museum opened, thousands of visitors have learned of the accomplishments of the Navy SEALs through the museum's artifacts and photos tracing the history of Naval Special Warfare from its beginnings during World War II through the Navy SEALs' current role in fighting in the War on Terror and in Iraq.

© 2007 Navy UDT-SEAL Museum
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contributed by:   Bill Langley (SEAL)

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