Thank you Will Brink

[Alex V]

Some time ago Will posted that he was working at the Navy SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce Florida. Growing up outside NYC, museums were always my thing. I spent countless hours in the Met, Natural History Museum and MoMa. This was right up my alley. This past week I took my wife to Orlando (Disney/Universal Studios) as graduation gift and she was nice enough to agree to take the 1:45 drive to Fort Pierce, so it was the first thing we did in Florida.

You pull up to an architecturally uninspiring building surrounded by a multitude of watercraft used by the SEALs, but it's humble exterior hides a wealth of information and exhibits inside. I saw Will when we first entered but did not want to interrupt the conversation he was having. When I saw him walking past the 9/11 - UBL exhibit area I introduced myself and my wife and Will gave us an awesome explanation of the early history of the SEALs and why the museum was located where it was. I din't know any of it and found it fascinating. There are exhibits showing the more well known missions that were undertake by the SEALs all over the world including the actual boat that Captain Fillips was in, a Blackhawk used in the rescue of a kidnapped aid worker and many many more. They have a damn Hilux! What the hell Toyota, I wand Hilux too! A wall of firearms and accessories, as well as countless displays of gear and equipment. Unfortunately the WW2 area was closed for renovation but there was enough to see without it, almost to the point of being overwhelmed.

After we walked the inside of the museum we went outside to see the stuff on the grounds. There are a number of different boats used by SEALS, most of which you can go onto and explore. There is also an obstacle course which looks like fun but in 89F Florida heat it was a bit too much for this Eastern European Siberian Husky to attempt.

If you are in the area I highly recommend it. Its only $10! Worth every penny.

Thanks Will for letting us know about the museum, I had no idea this place existed. Than you, also, for the thorough history lesson. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. The drive over was kinda boring tho.

IMG_7064.jpg

[WillBrink]

Glad you guys had a good time and nice to meet a fellow M4c-er and his SO. The Helux was a donation of the unit who face shot OBL, as is most of the kit in that room. There are no reproductions in the museum and anything that looks suspiciously like bullet holes are bullet holes...

Been trying to get an M4C crew to do a museum day like forever. As you can attest, it's gun guy, SOF, mil, history buff nirvana and no leaves not being blown away (no pun intended) by what they see.

[SkiDevil]

That's very cool. Sounds like a great time, I definitely plan on stopping by next time that I make it to Florida.

Great picture.


P.S. Will, does the museum have a website?

[Ned Christiansen]

Will, how is the museum funded?

[WillBrink]

That's very cool. Sounds like a great time, I definitely plan on stopping by next time that I make it to Florida.

Great picture.


P.S. Will, does the museum have a website?

Of course:

https://www.navysealmuseum.org/

Will, how is the museum funded?

Privately funded/donations, one of various reasons it's such a damn cool place. No federal funding, so the guns - and there's a lot of em - are not painted pink. etc.

[Diamondback]

Very cool place--think I've seen it on "Mysteries at the Museum," and wish I could've gotten there while Chief Watson was still On Watch.

So close and yet so far... was two hours away in Orlando in '99, and despite the trip being supposedly *my* high-school graduation present couldn't get the rels to do the drive.

Someday, if travel ever becomes a tolerable experience again...

[WickedWillis]

Awesome share. If I ever get over to that side of the Country, I will have to pay that other Will a visit.

[WillBrink]

Awesome share. If I ever get over to that side of the Country, I will have to pay that other Will a visit.

You have Kennedy Space center just north, and all the stuff in Orlando (which may be the bargain you strike to keep SO happy) all within a few hours of each other, so tough to go wrong there. Blatant plug alert, the museum is also featured in the latest installment of well reviewed fiction series.

[hotrodder636]

Great post. We go to Florida a few times a year. Looks like we will need to make this trip!

[Alex V]

You have Kennedy Space center just north, and all the stuff in Orlando (which may be the bargain you strike to keep SO happy) all within a few hours of each other, so tough to go wrong there. Blatant plug alert, the museum is also featured in the latest installment of well reviewed fiction series.

That's how I did it lol.

Though she was interested as well. She got me an awesome book on the SEALs a few years ago. It's wasn't hard to convince her to take the drive with me. Plus, it's right on the beach!