Monthly News and Intel | June 2026

A Message From Our Executive Director

Friends and Supporters of the Museum,

As we move into the summer season, I want to take a moment to reflect on both the strength of our community and the importance of gratitude.

The month of May brought us together for our annual Memorial Day Ceremony, a time to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. On behalf of the Navy SEAL Museum, I extend my sincere appreciation to our Chief Executive Officer VADM Tim Syzmanski; Admiral Frank Bradley, Commander, USSOCOM and his team; Congressman Brian Mast and his staff; CWO4 Bruno Fallon, USA (Retired); our Chaplains; our guest speakers; volunteers; sponsors; SEALs; and all who attended and supported this meaningful event. Your dedication helped ensure that we paid tribute to our fallen with the dignity and respect they deserve.

At the same time, our Museum family suffered a profound loss with the unexpected passing of Andy Brady, our Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator, on May 30. For 17 years, Andy faithfully served our organization, our volunteers, and the countless visitors who walked through our doors. His passion for our mission, his unwavering commitment to help others, and his genuine kindness left an indelible mark on this Museum and the community he loved. While we mourn his loss, we are deeply grateful for his years of service and the legacy he leaves behind. Andy embodied the spirit of teamwork and selfless service that defines our mission, and he will be greatly missed.

Through moments of both remembrance and loss, we are reminded that the Navy SEAL Museum exists because of the extraordinary support of our members, guests, donors, volunteers, and community partners. Your continued commitment allows us to preserve the history, honor the sacrifice, and educate future generations about Naval Special Warfare.

As we welcome visitors from across the country throughout the summer months, I want to personally thank you for your ongoing support through membership and patronage. Your partnership sustains our mission and ensures that the stories of courage, sacrifice, and service entrusted to us continue to inspire generations to come.

Very respectfully,

Master Chief (SEAL) Rick Kaiser, USN (Ret.)
Executive Director
Navy SEAL Museum Fort Pierce

ADVANCING THE MISSION

The National Navy SEAL Museum exists because of the unwavering support of individuals, families, businesses, and volunteers who share our commitment to preserving the legacy of Naval Special Warfare. Every membership, donation, volunteer hour, and event sponsorship helps ensure that the history and heritage of Navy SEALs and their forerunners continue to inspire future generations.

One of the most meaningful ways to support the Museum is through membership. Museum members are more than supporters—they are partners in our mission. Your annual investment helps fund educational programs, preserve historic artifacts, maintain exhibits, and support outreach initiatives. Membership also provides opportunities to engage more deeply with the Museum through exclusive communications, special events, and year-round access to the mission.

For those seeking a more hands-on role, our volunteer program offers an opportunity to serve as part of a dedicated team committed to honoring Naval Special Warfare history. Volunteers support the Museum as docents, greeters, and event staff, helping create meaningful experiences for thousands of visitors each year. Volunteer contributions are essential to the Museum’s daily operations and special events, embodying the spirit of service that defines our community.

Corporate partners and community sponsors also play a vital role in advancing our mission. Through exhibit sponsorships, event underwriting, educational outreach support, and special project funding, businesses and organizations help expand the Museum’s impact.

Throughout the year, signature events, such as our annual Memorial Day Ceremony, Muster, lecture series, and youth programming provide opportunities for supporters to connect with the mission, while helping generate critical resources that sustain Museum operations and charitable initiatives. These events not only raise awareness and support, but also provide a place of camaraderie for veterans, active duty service members, families, and the communities they serve.

Whether you choose to become a member, volunteer your time, sponsor an event, make a donation, or simply visit the Museum, your involvement helps preserve the legacy of the Frogmen who came before and ensures their extraordinary history will never be forgotten. Thank you for partnering with us to advance the mission.

RECENT NEWS

Blue Star Museums

Blue Star Museums is a nationwide initiative that provides free museum admission to active duty military personnel and their families each summer, from Armed Forces Day through Labor Day. The program is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and over 2,000 participating museums and cultural institutions across the country. Eligible visitors include active duty service members, National Guard, Reserve, and certain commissioned corps members, along with up to five family members.

The Museum is proud to participate in the Blue Star Museums program, offering free summer admission to currently serving military personnel and their families. Dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of Navy SEALs and their predecessors, the Museum provides our visitors with interactive exhibits, historic artifacts, and educational programming that honor the legacy of Naval Special Warfare. Through its participation in Blue Star Museums, the Navy SEAL Museum extends its commitment to supporting military families, while sharing the stories of honor, courage, service, and sacrifice that define the NSW community.

NAVY SEAL MUSEUM BLOG

The Greatest Rescue Mission in Navy SEAL History

Saving Lieutenant Mark Clark and LTCOL “Gene” Hambleton, USAF

By CDR (SEAL) Tom Hawkins, USN (Ret.)

During 1972, U.S. Navy SEAL Lieutenant Tom Norris was serving as an advisor with Strategic Technical Directorate Assistance Team (STDAT) 158, which replaced the Special Operations Group (SOG) component of the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV-SOG). STADT 158 had responsibility for a variety of covert and clandestine operations, to include penetrating enemy territory to rescue downed American pilots. In the first week of April, Tom Norris was tasked with recovering two pilots shot down over enemy occupied territory in Quang Tri Province, the northern most province of South Vietnam (Adjacent to North Vietnam and the established Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

Read The Greatest Rescue Mission in Navy SEAL History on the Navy SEAL Museum’s blog, NSW Historical Perspectives.

NAVY SEAL MUSEUM CHARITIES

Scholarship Program

The Navy SEAL Museum extends its sincere gratitude to the generous supporters who make our Scholarship Program possible. We are honored by the many military families who applied this year and are inspired by the dedication, achievements, and aspirations of the students we serve. We look forward to following their continued success as they pursue their educational goals.

These scholarships are made possible through the unwavering commitment of our Scholarship Program champions. Their generosity helps ease the financial burden of higher and private education and creates meaningful opportunities for the next generation of leaders.

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Hale, Mr. and Mrs. Walsh, and Mr. and Mrs. Litty for their continued dedication and support. Their investment in our students is an investment in the future, and we are deeply grateful for their partnership in advancing this important mission.

MUSEUM PROGRAMMING

The Art of The Operator

This summer, the Navy SEAL Museum is proud to present The Art of the Operator, a unique exhibition showcasing the creativity, experiences, and perspectives of members of the Naval Special Warfare community. Following an exclusive VIP opening on July 17, the exhibition will open to the public on July 18.

Spanning every era of Naval Special Warfare history, The Art of the Operator offers visitors a rare first-person view into the lives of Naval Special Operators. Through a diverse collection of original works, the exhibition captures not only historic missions and operational deployments around the world, but also the humor, hardship, camaraderie, and personal moments that define life within the Teams.

The collection features vintage and contemporary works in a variety of mediums, including charcoal, photography, ink, watercolor, oil, sculpture, metalwork, graphic art, and more. Each piece serves as a visual record of the operator experience, preserving the heritage, traditions, sacrifice, and enduring spirit of Naval Special Warfare.

More than an art exhibition, The Art of the Operator is an effort to preserve NSW culture and ensure that the stories of these extraordinary men are shared with future generations of operators, historians, and Museum visitors. Through their own artistic expression, these talented members of the community provide an authentic and deeply personal perspective on the history and legacy of the SEAL Teams.

We invite you to experience this remarkable collection and gain a deeper appreciation for the people, stories, and sacrifices of the Naval Special Warfare community.

For more information or to become a sponsor, email eryan@navysealmuseum.org.

Dogs of the K9 Project

Join us for one of the Navy SEAL Museum’s most popular and engaging educational programs, Dogs of the K9 Project, where guests have the unique opportunity to meet the handlers and their canines as part of the Museum’s K9 Project initiative.

This interactive presentation explores the remarkable bond between Special Operators and their canine companions, highlighting the trust, teamwork, and dedication that make these partnerships so effective both during and after military service. Guests will hear firsthand stories from handlers, learn about the capabilities and training of working dogs, and gain insight into the critical roles canines have played in supporting military missions–and beyond their time in the teams.

The Museum’s K9 Project serves as both an educational and community outreach initiative, helping visitors better understand the contributions of working dogs, while showcasing the ongoing programs and support efforts that benefit veterans, handlers, and canines. Through special programming like Dogs of the K9 Project, the Museum creates meaningful opportunities for the public to connect with these extraordinary animals and the people who work alongside them.

Designed for visitors of all ages, this family-friendly experience is included with paid Museum admission and takes place at 12:00 PM.

Mark your calendar and join us for our next presentation on July 1 to learn more about these incredible canine partners and the impact of the Museum’s K9 Project in our community.

Saver Thursday

The Navy SEAL Museum is making it easier than ever for families, residents, and visitors to experience the history and heritage that was born on our Fort Pierce beaches. New in 2026, the Museum offers Saver Thursday, a special discounted admission day held on the first Thursday of every month.

On Saver Thursdays, admission is just $5 for guests ages 6–12 and $10 for guests ages 13 and older. Children 5 and under are always admitted free of charge.

Whether you’re exploring the Museum for the first time, or returning to discover something new, Saver Thursday provides an affordable opportunity to experience our interactive exhibits, historic artifacts, and inspiring stories of courage, service, and sacrifice. From its origins in World War II to the modern-day SEAL Teams, Naval Special Warfare comes to life for visitors of all ages. Visit us and connect with the extraordinary legacy of those who have served.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The 10th Annual
Swim With A Mission

The Navy SEAL Museum is honored to be a beneficiary of Swim With A Mission (SWAM), a nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans through direct assistance, critical services, and funding for programs that improve the lives of those who have served our nation.

Founded by Navy SEAL Museum Board Members Phil and Julie Taub, Swim With A Mission has raised millions of dollars to support veterans, military service members, and their families. Through strategic partnerships with organizations across the country, SWAM helps fund initiatives that address physical and mental wellness, service-related challenges, rehabilitation, family support, and long-term quality of life for our nation’s heroes.

This year marks the 10th Annual Swim With A Mission, which will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Wellington State Park in Bristol, New Hampshire. What began as a community swim event has grown into a nationally celebrated weekend of patriotism, philanthropy, and military appreciation.

Participants and supporters from across the country gather to honor those who serve, helping to raise critical funds for veteran-focused programs and organizations.

The weekend features inspiring opportunities to meet veterans and active-duty service members, hear their stories, participate in community events, and celebrate the spirit of service and sacrifice that defines the military community.

We invite our supporters, members, and friends to join us in celebrating this milestone year and supporting the mission of Swim With A Mission as it continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of veterans and their families nationwide.

The 10th Annual
Swim With A Mission

The Navy SEAL Museum is honored to be a beneficiary of Swim With A Mission (SWAM), a nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans through direct assistance, critical services, and funding for programs that improve the lives of those who have served our nation.

Founded by Navy SEAL Museum Board Members Phil and Julie Taub, Swim With A Mission has raised millions of dollars to support veterans, military service members, and their families. Through strategic partnerships with organizations across the country, SWAM helps fund initiatives that address physical and mental wellness, service-related challenges, rehabilitation, family support, and long-term quality of life for our nation’s heroes.

This year marks the 10th Annual Swim With A Mission, which will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Wellington State Park in Bristol, New Hampshire. What began as a community swim event has grown into a nationally celebrated weekend of patriotism, philanthropy, and military appreciation. Participants and supporters from across the country gather to honor those who serve, helping to raise critical funds for veteran-focused programs and organizations.

The weekend features inspiring opportunities to meet veterans and active-duty service members, hear their stories, participate in community events, and celebrate the spirit of service and sacrifice that defines the military community.

We invite our supporters, members, and friends to join us in celebrating this milestone year and supporting the mission of Swim With A Mission as it continues to make a meaningful impact on the lives of veterans and their families nationwide.

The 35th Annual Legends Invitational Golf Tournament

The Navy SEAL Museum is honored to invite supporters, partners, and friends to the 35th Annual Legends Invitational Golf Tournament, taking place November 11-16, 2026, at the world-renowned Pebble Beach Resort in California.

Recognized as one of the most prestigious and longest-running privately owned tournaments held at Pebble Beach, the Legends Invitational offers participants an unparalleled golf experience while supporting the mission of the Navy SEAL Museum. Guests will enjoy three days of exclusive play on the legendary Pebble Beach Golf Links, The Links at Spanish Bay and Spyglass Hill Golf Course – three of the most celebrated courses in the world.

For more than three decades, the Legends Invitational has brought together business leaders, philanthropists, veterans, and supporters who share a commitment to preserving the history, heritage, and legacy of Naval Special Warfare. Beyond the exceptional golf, the event provides opportunities for fellowship, networking, and meaningful engagement with members of the military community, all while advancing the Museum’s educational programs, preservation initiatives, and support efforts for veterans and their families.

The continued success of this premier event is made possible through the dedication and generosity of its hosts and supporters. We extend our sincere gratitude to Mary and John Lee for their unwavering commitment, leadership, and passion for the Navy SEAL Museum’s mission. Their longstanding support has helped make the Legends Invitational a cherished tradition and an important source of support for the Museum’s programs and initiatives.

Give the Gift of NSW History!

Do you have a history buff in your household? Do you have a current or former NSW operator in your life?

Did you know that Navy SEAL Museum’s photo archives are online to view and available for sale?

Check out our online library and search key words to find the right image for you or a loved one.