News and Intel from Navy SEAL Museum San Diego
MUSEUM UPDATES
Virtual Reality Moving Closer to Reality
Visitors to Navy SEAL Museum San Diego (NSMSD) will have over 10,000 sq/ft. of Navy SEAL history and heritage to explore with their general admission ticket. In addition to regular admission, however, NSMSD will offer an additional experience…the Navy SEAL Xperience where visitors will—as closely as technology will allow—feel what it is like to be on a real Navy SEAL mission.
To accomplish this mission, we’ve partnered with HAVIK, the go-to leader in virtual training environments that are used by special forces today. Their technology—usually geared towards military training—has been redeployed to the education space and offers the visitor a learning experience that will be truly unique. From mission planning to infil. Hostage rescue to extraction, all this awaits the intrepid Museum guest.
Want a sneak peek? Have a look at the video below.
(FYI, the Museum is much more built out than what you’ll see as some video was shot in 2024.)
Military Appreciation Month
May is Military Appreciation Month in the United States. It’s an effort to raise awareness about the importance of military service and remind us all about the sacrifices made by service members and their families.
If you follow us on social media, we will be sharing the Navy SEAL Museum’s annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 26, at 9:00 AM, in observance of this sacred day and with reverence for those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
This ceremony is held each year at the Navy SEAL Museum’s Memorial Wall in Fort Pierce, Florida, which honors those who gave their lives in service.
Please join us for this solemn event.
Community Outreach in Coronado
On April 17, Executive Director, Beef Drechsler, spoke to about 100 individuals at the Coronado Historical Society about the history of Naval Special Warfare (NSW) in Coronado. NSW and the City of Coronado have had a symbiotic relationship for over 60 years. NSW was established in Coronado in 1962 and The Coronado Historical Society was formed in 1969 to help people understand and appreciate Coronado’s unique history, art, architecture, and historical resources.
As such, the lecture was well received and the questions were many. We look forward to seeing residents of Coronado at NSMSD to learn more about their unique community asset and national treasure.
Community Outreach in Coronado
On April 17, Executive Director, Beef Drechsler, spoke to about 100 individuals at the Coronado Historical Society about the history of Naval Special Warfare (NSW) in Coronado. NSW and the City of Coronado have had a symbiotic relationship for over 60 years. NSW was established in Coronado in 1962 and The Coronado Historical Society was formed in 1969 to help people understand and appreciate Coronado’s unique history, art, architecture, and historical resources.
Combat Diver Statue Coming Along
With the smashing success of the Plank Owner Campaign now achieved, we have the throttle down on construction of the Combat Diver Statue.
Sitting prominently outside the southwest corner of the Museum, near to the corner of Broadway Ave. and Kettner Blvd., the statue will soon be seen by millions of people each year, a proud tribute not only to the campaign and the Museum, but a reminder to many that there are individuals operating all over the world—underwater or above—that work to ensure the freedoms we enjoy. More sneak peeks to come.
DEVELOPMENT UPDATES
What is a Donor Advised Fun (DAF)?
A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is tax-smart way for donors to give back. A DAF is administered by a third party known as a charitable sponsor such as Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard Charitable, National Philanthropic Trust or your local community foundation.
Donors contribute to the fund and recommend grants to support their favorite nonprofit like the Navy SEAL Museum in San Diego. The charitable sponsor awards these grants, and the funds are used to support the nonprofit’s mission.
Additional benefits include:
- Immediate tax benefit in the year the DAF was made.
- Avoidance of capital gains on appreciated assets.
- Tax-free growth: Assets in DAFs can be invested and any growth is tax-free. This means that more money is generated for your favorite charities, increasing your philanthropic impact.
- There are many ways for donors to contribute to DAFs, including cash, stocks, real estate, and cryptocurrency.
- Donors can create a pre-scheduled or recurring grant. This “set it and forget it” option is attractive to donors who want to provide regular and ongoing support to their favorite charity.
The Navy SEAL Museum in San Diego happily accepts DAFs.
For information on how to give a DAF to the Navy SEAL Museum in San Diego, you can click this link at www.navysealmuseumsd.org/support or call Kim Rhinehelder at (916) 301-2208.
What is a Donor Advised Fun (DAF)?
A Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is tax-smart way for donors to give back. A DAF is administered by a third party known as a charitable sponsor such as Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard Charitable, National Philanthropic Trust or your local community foundation.
Donors contribute to the fund and recommend grants to support their favorite nonprofit like the Navy SEAL Museum in San Diego. The charitable sponsor awards these grants, and the funds are used to support the nonprofit’s mission.
In recent years, DAFs have exploded in popularity. And one of the reasons for that is the ease in setting up.
Additional benefits include:
- Immediate tax benefit in the year the DAF was made.
- Avoidance of capital gains on appreciated assets.
- Tax-free growth: Assets in DAFs can be invested and any growth is tax-free. This means that more money is generated for your favorite charities, increasing your philanthropic impact.
- There are many ways for donors to contribute to DAFs, including cash, stocks, real estate, and cryptocurrency.
- Donors can create a pre-scheduled or recurring grant. This “set it and forget it” option is attractive to donors who want to provide regular and ongoing support to their favorite charity.
The Navy SEAL Museum in San Diego happily accepts DAFs.
For information on how to give a DAF to the Navy SEAL Museum in San Diego, you can click this link at www.navysealmuseumsd.org/support or call Kim Rhinehelder at (916) 301-2208.
NSW HISTORY
The Origin and Legacy of Hell’s Bell
“Never ring the bell.”
Those are words of wisdom imparted to incoming BUD/S candidates ever since the early 1970s when a bell started to be used which signaled that someone had had enough.
But how did the bell actually come into being?
Click below to read the story about how one of the most iconic symbols of BUD/S came to be 🔱
MUSEUM PARNTERS
Don’t miss “The Mobile Riverine Force”
For readers of this SITREP who live in San Diego and who enjoyed the documentary film Scramble the Seawolves–the little-known story of the U.S. Navy’s first and only dedicated attack helicopter gunship squadron–tune into KPBS TV on Monday, 5 MAY at 2100 to see The Mobile Riverine Force.
This captivating untold story of one of the most unique fighting forces of the Vietnam War. US Navy’s Task Force 117 and Soldiers of the 9th Infantry Division, a joint Army-Navy Unit, battled as brothers deep in the Mekong Delta.
Looking to have a 🍺 or a 🍕?
Then try this Navy SEAL Brewery
(conveniently located near the museum)
Protector Brewery, San Diego’s first organic brewery, was founded by Navy SEAL veteran Sean Haggerty, who discovered a passion for brewing craft beer during his deployments.
With the support of his wife, Cory, he decided to focus on organic brewing, aiming to create a legacy of sustainability and health within the beer community. Protector Brewery uses only USDA-certified organic ingredients grown in the USA, and their packaging is 100% recyclable.
Since opening in 2017, they have expanded their distribution and partnered with various organizations. They value giving back to their community and appreciate the support of craft beer enthusiasts.
And to say we’re excited to be in their neighborhood would be an understatement. Look out for great for a great partnership once the Museum opens.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Trident House Charities Program (THCP), an initiative of the National Navy SEAL Museum, is dedicated to supporting Special Operations Forces and their families? When we open our doors, admission revenue to Navy SEAL Museum San Diego will directly fund these programs.
These programs include K9 support, respite houses, and direct financial support to NSW families.
Learn more about the many avenues of support open to NSW families.
Anytime is the right time to 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.
Digitization of NSM’s archive was made possible by a generous grant from The Navy SEAL Foundation.
