The United States Coast Guard, which recently celebrated its 226th anniversary, will no longer be the only American military service without its own museum. Through the work of a dedicated team, and with federal funding and contributions from many individuals, corporations and foundations, efforts to build the nation’s first National Coast Guard Museum will soon come to fruition.
A location on the Thames River waterfront in New London, Connecticut, has been selected for the state of the art facility where the new museum will honor USCG heroes and present stories detailing more than two centuries of history of the premier maritime law enforcement service. “The heroes of the U.S. Coast Guard deserve to have their stories told, and this museum will be a worthy tribute,” said Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr., USCG (Ret.) 24th Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard Director of the National Coast Guard Museum Association.
The Museum Exhibit Advisory Panel is already in the process of choosing the exhibits, which will include artifacts and features showcasing the brave men and women that exemplified the Coast Guard motto, “Semper Paratus” (Always Prepared), from the first lifesaving stations where crewmen rowed small, open boats through overpowering surf to rescue people from storm-battered ships to today’s modern vessels and aircraft that save lives, protect the oceans and keep our shores safe from terrorists and other threats.
For contributions or more information visit: coastguardmuseum.org
