[rooter]

Seabee Museum & Memorial Park
BUILDING FUND NEWS





Face Lift for the Huts


Developed on the Davisville Base in 1942, Quonset huts went to war with the Seabees. For the past decade the Museum has assembled a collection of huts to show the evolution of the design. Today we have what is probably the world's premiere collection of vintage huts.

This fall three of the huts were repainted ... camouflage! This attention getting color scheme was chosen to reflect the military heritage of the Museum and to generate public interest in the Museum. Pro Paint Plus of North Kingstown, RI, cleaned the huts, neutralized any rust, and then primed and painted three huts. A typical WW-II color pattern was selected. The owner of the company, Thomas Marsocci, Jr., is the son of a Davisville Seabee and has long been a supporter of the Museum.

Three "windows" in the hut closest to the entrance now feature WW-II Seabees. These images, from the Museum's photographic collection, were blown up and printed on aluminum sheets by Sign*A*Rama of North Kingston. The company generously donated the work.

The huts have been getting a lot of attention from people driving by. One local newspaper is planning a story on the new look.

To read more about Quonset huts and the Seabees, go to: QUONSET HUTS AND DAVISVILLE









Wreaths Across America to again visit the Seabee Museum and Memorial Park


In 2007 "The Wreaths Across America Parade" visited the Museum. The parade, said to be the longest in the country, will return for the second year at approximately Noon on December 9, 2008. If you are in the area, please stop by.



In 1992, Morrill Worcester, President of the Worcester Wreath Company, donated a truckload of wreaths to be placed on graves at Arlington. That year he personally drove the truck and placed the wreaths. From that small start, a great tradition has grown. In 2008 more than 100,000 wreaths will be placed at 350 military cemeteries around the world at Noon on Saturday, December 13, 2008. The majority will go to Arlington National Cemetery as the culmination of a gigantic 5-day parade of honor that will start in Harrington, Maine.

Wreaths Across America seeks to bring children and Veterans together as the ideal way of expressing appreciation for the past, present, and future sacrifices our Veterans and their families make for this country. To learn more about Wreaths Across America and how you can get involved, visit their WEB SITE










Seabees Remember a Most Honored Veteran


Marvin Glenn Shields (December 30, 1939 - June 10, 1965) was the first, and remains the only, Seabee to receive the Medal of Honor. He was also the first United States Navy sailor to receive the Medal of Honor for action in Vietnam.

On November 14, more than 100 Sailors, Veterans and family members gathered in Port Townsend, Washington, for the annual memorial service to honor Shields. "The memorial ceremony is how we show our gratitude to fallen soldiers, especially because we are still in time of war," said EO2 Dustin Beach of CBMU 303. "This brings us together with local veterans and builds camaraderie amongst the Seabee community."

"Each year I attend this ceremony I am overwhelmed," said Joan Bennett, Shields' wife (shown in photo with her daughter Barbara Shields Rote). "I am eternally grateful for all the Seabees who continue to support our community. In Marvin's memory it is my responsibility to express my gratitude to the Navy."

Our thanks to MCB-11 Association. For more about Shields, go to the Vietnam section of our web site's History page.











Remember the Seabee Museum and Memorial Park this Holiday Season


In the last issue we discussed how the economic downturn was affecting the Seabee Museum and Memorial Park. That trend is continuing. Donation over the past month have been disappointing, despite the hard work of our many volunteers.

We are confident that this great country will turn things around. Our concern is will it happen soon enough to make our dream of a new museum building a reality. We are nearing the halfway mark in the matching campaign. We only have a year to raise enough money to begin construction or we risk a loss of this major source of funding. If that should happen, it could delay this vital project for years.

We know times are tough and budgets are being stretched, but please keep us in mind this holiday season. We really need your continued support. Any donation, no matter how small, is greatly appreciated. You can donate at the Museum's online store or by printing a donation form and mailing it back to us along with your donation.









Do Your Holiday Shopping and Help the Seabee Museum and Memorial Park


This holiday season, give a lasting gift. Our development plans include an area designed to compliment the "Fighting Seabee" where we will display Memorial Plaques. Already hundreds of former Seabees and their families have permanently recognized loved ones and fellow Seabees. The engraved plaques are available in two sizes, 2" x 4" and 4" x 4". Both sizes provide ample space for a dedication.

You'll receive a color photograph of your plaque, suitable for including with a holiday card. Please order by December 10th for holiday delivery of your photo. Best of all, your gift will help finance the Seabee Museum and Memorial Park ... the original home of the Seabees.

Click here to view and print our Order Form.

BECOME PART OF HISTORY
Commemorative Plaque Order Form
Join the thousands of Seabees who served our Nation. Purchase a commemorative plaque to be placed
on a wall surrounding the original Fighting Seabee in Davisville, RI and help finance the Museum and Park.
Please check one of the following for the top line of the plaque: Please check one of the following sizes for the plaque:
In Memory Of Proudly Served 2” x 4” Plaque ($75.00 Each – Heading plus 4 lines)
Dedicated To 4” x 4” Plaque ($140.00 Each – Heading plus 9 lines)
In Honor Of
A Proud Seabee My name and address is:
Other: (max. 18 spaces)___________________________ ________________________________________
________________________________________
Please note the top line is already chosen: ________________________________________
2 x 4 Plaques Only
E-mail address: ___________________________
Phone Number: ( )______ - ________
Method of Payment: US FUNDS ONLY
( ) Visa ( ) MasterCard
( ) Discover ( ) Check or Money Order
4 x 4 Plaques Only
Credit Card Number:
Credit Card Expiration Date: M M / Y Y
Signature: ________________________________
Make Checks Payable to:
Seabee Museum and Memorial Park
Please mail the completed form and payment to:
Seabee Museum and Memorial Park
21 Iafrate Way, North Kingstown, RI 02852
Please continue to fill in your desired wording for the 2 x 4 plaque
Please continue to fill in your desired wording for the 4 x 4 plaque
501(c)(3) Non-Profit Organization