On the way back to Miami from Daytona this past weekend, I had the pleasure to visit the US National Navy Seal Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida. The Navy Seal Museum is a hidden gem and should not be missed. Centrally located on the east coast, both the Florida Turnpike and I-95 have exits that lead to historic Fort Pierce. The museum grounds are located on ocean front property immediately in front of the public beach.
Fort Pierce – Florida
Fort Pierce dates back to 1838 as an outpost and really took off as a community during World War II when it served as a training ground for the Navy’s Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT). The Underwater Demolition Team is the precursor to the elite fighting units of the Navy Seals (Sea Air and Land).
Navy Seal Museum
The National US Navy Seal Museum is comprised of two connected buildings. The original wing opened in 1985 and told the story of the start of the Navy Seals during World War II through the operations conducted in the 1980’s. Much of the exhibit space pays tribute to honored Navy Seals and their contributions to World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and other operations. In 2012, the museum was expanded to include the current operations of the Middle East and exhibits dedicated to showing the weapons and equipment of the Seals including a Blackhawk helicopter.
After going through the museum, you cannot help but to have a greater appreciation for the sacrifice and dedication of these tenacious warriors who proudly wear the trident. There is something for everyone at the museum, from interactive exhibits, educational exhibits for children, and plenty of opportunities to take photos of equipment and vehicles used by the Seals. To see some of the photos from my trip, click here: US National Navy Seal Museum Photos.