Navy SEAL Museum Ft. Pierce
The End of an Era | Underwater Demolition Teams Decommissioned (1943-1983)
The End of an Era | Underwater Demolition Teams Decommissioned (1943-1983)

Navy SEAL Museum’s 38th Annual Muster and Music Festival
A Resounding Success

Navy SEAL Museum’s 38th Annual Muster and Music Festival
The sun-drenched shores of Fort Pierce, Florida, witnessed an unforgettable event on November 3rd and 4th as the Navy SEAL Museum hosted its 38th Annual Muster and Music Festival. Pepper Park and the Museum grounds were alive with patriotism, camaraderie, military, and music. This year’s event surpassed expectations, showcasing the unwavering spirit of our U.S. Navy SEALs and celebrating all veterans, as we inch closer to Veterans Day.

The annual Muster is a weekend to honor all military members who have served our country. Visitors had the chance to explore the Museum’s collection of artifacts at a discounted rate. The exhibits, which shed light on the rich history and sacrifices made by these elite warriors, were alive with the bustling energy of families with young children and reflective gazes of guests wanting to learn more.

The feedback from the Muster 5K was overwhelmingly positive. We thank all of our sponsors for making this possible. Thank you to the participants who came out with amazing energy and stormed the beach.

Visitors gathered to celebrate veterans, moved by Saturday’s keynote speaker Kim Erskine’s recount of events in Grenada. They witnessed a tactical demonstration with next level explosives and impressive helicopter finesse from pilot Paul Barth. Sea Cadets led the display with excellence, as well as the bagpipe band who marched them in. The day showcased the unbreakable SEAL community bond among the Brotherhood, with multiple BUD/S Classes represented.

The Navy SEAL Museum’s 38th Annual Muster is a vibrant festival every year with live music, courtesy of an array of talented performers who took the stage. Rappture played Friday night and the Reckless Shots resonated with Saturday’s crowd.

Friday night was enjoyed by all who attended the Membership Dinner. Mission BBQ and USMI Lowcountry boil were a hit. Food vendors lined the festival grounds on Saturday, offering an array of delicious fare, and the Museum Store set up an additional outlet outside, providing unique mementos for visitors to take home. Children enjoyed the day’s festivities, an event the entire family enjoyed.

One of the highlights of the Muster every year is the thrilling SEAL demonstration Saturday morning that offers visitors a rare glimpse into the capabilities of Navy SEALs. From the perfect parachute jump executed by Frog-X Parachute Team to the tactical demonstration, the audience was captivated by the incredible skills and training that define these elite warriors.

The most compelling aspect of the event is always the presence of our Navy SEALs on hand to meet and interact with the public. Special thanks to our Team guys who come out to make this event enjoyable for the guests. Attendees had the unique opportunity to hear their stories, ask questions, and gain insight into the life and dedication required to become a SEAL.

The Navy SEAL Museum’s 38th Annual Muster and Music Festival left an indelible mark on all who attended. It served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by the U.S. Navy SEALs and their unwavering commitment to our country–and a powerful reminder that these men are still deployed and fighting around the globe for our freedom and safety.

Muster was a resounding success, blending reverence for our nation’s veterans with a celebration of music, family, and community. It was a day to remember and honor the past while looking forward to the future with hope and unity. The event served as a testament to the enduring spirit of the U.S. Navy SEALs and their unwavering dedication to protecting our nation.

We acknowledge all veterans from every branch of service and thank you for serving our country. Many thanks to our sponsors who made Muster possible with generous support, our Board of Directors, volunteers, staff, vendors, Sea Cadets, lifeguards, sheriffs, and our enthusiastic guests.

38th Annual Muster Photo Gallery

Keynote Speaker

The Navy SEAL Museum is honored to welcome this year’s keynote speaker Commander (SEAL) Donald “Kim” Erskine, USN (Ret.) to the 38th Annual Muster.

Donald “Kim” Erskine, CDR (SEAL) U.S.N. (Ret.)

Donald “Kim” Erskine

CDR (SEAL) U.S.N. (Ret.)

Commander Erskine enlisted in the Navy in July 1969. Following boot camp, he completed Radioman A School before reporting to BUD/S Class 58 in May 1970. Following his graduation from BUD/S, he received orders to Underwater Demolition Team TWELVE (UDT-12). While at UDT-12, he completed two tours of duty in Vietnam. In January 1974, after his second tour in Vietnam, he became a plank owner in the first UDT/SEAL Reserve Unit, UDT/SEAL PAC (Pacific) 119. While attached to UDT/SEAL PAC 119, his full-time civilian job was with the Park City, UT Professional Ski Patrol. In his spare time, he attended classes at the University of Utah.

Following his graduation from the University of Utah in June 1979, he returned to active duty, attending Officer Candidate School in Newport, RI. Receiving his commission as an Ensign in December 1979, he received orders to UDT-11.

While at UDT-11 he made two deployments to WESTPAC as a Seal Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Platoon Assistant Officer-in-Charge (AOIC) and SDV Platoon Officer-in-Charge (OIC). Returning to UDT-11 in May 1983, after his second SDV deployment, LT Erskine became a plank owner in SEAL Team FIVE when UDT-11 was decommissioned and became a SEAL Team. He reported for duty at SEAL Team SIX in June 1983 where he served as Gold Team Assault Element Leader, Red Team Assault Element Leader, Green Team Leader, Gold Team Leader and Operations Officer.

In June 1986, LT Erskine reported to Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA. Graduating in 1988 with a Masters Degree in National Security Affairs, Middle East and North Africa Area Specialty, which included Arabic and French language training at the Defense Language Institute, he reported for staff duty to Commander, Naval Special Warfare Command (COMNAVSPECWARCOM). Upon receipt of orders in May 1990, he reported for duty at Special Operations Command Europe (SOCEUR), Stuttgart, Germany. At SOCEUR he deployed as a member of Joint and Combined Special Operations Task Forces in support of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Provide Comfort. In May 1992, LCDR Erskine was selected to be the Executive Officer (XO) for SOCEUR’s Navy Special Operations Force (NAVSOF) component, Naval Special Warfare Unit TWO (NSWU-2), in Machrihanish, Scotland. In January 1994, CDR Erskine was selected to be the Commanding Officer (CO) of NSWU-2. As the Commanding Officer of NSWU-2, he led SOCEUR NAVSOF in the planning and execution of Joint Special Operations Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) missions in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia, and a Non-Combatant Evacuation (NEO) mission to evacuate besieged U.S. Embassy personnel and third-country nationals caught up in the civil war in Liberia. His military decorations include the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and multiple campaign and expeditionary medals.

CDR Erskine and his family retired to their farm in Maine in September 1996. In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, Mr. Erskine worked as contractor and Federal employee with the newly formed Department of Homeland Security until 2017. He currently works for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory where he supports NATO’s Energy Planning Group as an Energy Security and Civil-military Relations Expert. He also supports the Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (DHS/CISA) National Risk Management Center (NRMC) as a Senior Infrastructure Resilience and Threat Analysis Specialist. Mr. Erskine and his wife, Dr. Leslie Henry, reside in Portland, ME.

Muster Sponsors

Schlitt Insurance Services
Little Jim’s Bait & Tackle
GE Warren LLC
Cobb’s Landing
Einstein Bros Bagels
Natalie's Orchid Island Juice
Baden K9
International Realty Plus
US Naval Sea Cadet Corps
CBD Path
Frog-X Parachute Team
United States Coast Guard
United States Marine, Inc
Warrior Health Foundation
Shine A Light Films
Schumacher Chevrolet
St. Lucie County, FL.
Land Rover Palm Beach
Plastic Supply of Pennsylvania
The Pillar Foundation
Here are some highlights from last year:

Special Keynote Speaker, Jericho Green: