Chevy & Navy Seal Museum Highlight Military Appreciation Month

[Gorehamj]

John Goreham
Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com
5/3/2016

In addition to extending its military discount through the end of May, Military appreciation month, Chevy is teaming up with the National Navy Seal Museum to honor those who have served. The Navy Seals are, of course, one of America's special forces groups. To recognize the service of special forces veterans, Chevy is donating a portion of the proceeds from every Special Operations 2016 Chevrolet Silverado to the Navy Seal Museum.

Have you ever wondered why May was selected as Military Appreciation Month? Here's why.

May has most days set aside for celebrating and commemorating our military's achievements. These days include:

- Loyalty Day, established in 1921

- Victory in Europe (VE) Day, commemorating the end of WWII in Europe on May 8, 1945

- Armed Forces Day, created in 1949

- Military Spouse Appreciation Day, established in 1984

- Memorial Day

In a recent Post, Chevy offered up some interesting fact about the National Navy UDT-Seal Museum:

◾ Born in Ft. Pierce: The National Navy SEAL Museum is located in Ft. Pierce, Fla. because the Navy’s first Underwater Demolition Teams (UDT)—nicknamed “frogmen” for their swimming skills – trained on the museum grounds during World War II.
◾Not Always SEALs: The UDT teams were not known as SEALs until 1962, when President John F. Kennedy recognized their value and commissioned them as Sea Air Land Teams, again expanding their mission beyond their traditional role.
◾The Naked Warriors: Because UDT teams went to battle wearing little more than swimming trunks, they were nicknamed “The Naked Warriors.” A statue in their likeness salutes their bravery at the museum.
◾Saving Captain Phillips: In 2009, Maersk Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips – portrayed by Tom Hanks in the 2013 film “Captain Phillips” — was held hostage by pirates off the coast of Somalia until U.S. Navy SEALs rescued him from the ship’s lifeboat. This lifeboat is on display at the museum.
◾A Unique Memorial: The Navy SEAL Museum is the only memorial in the world dedicated to the UDT divers and Navy SEALs who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Like the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., their names are carved into black granite panels on the walls surrounding the sculpture of a modern Navy SEAL diver and its reflecting pool.
◾More Than a Museum: Through its Trident House Charities program, the Navy SEAL Museum provides assistance to military families. The Trident House itself provides complimentary respite to the families of Navy SEALs and other special operations forces. The Navy SEAL Museum Scholarship Program provides assistance to children from the families of special operations forces as they pursue their education.
◾Tools of the Trade: The UH-60 Black Hawk is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-lift helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. The helicopter on display at the Navy SEAL Museum was donated by the “Night Stalkers” 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR). In 2012, it was used during an operation to rescue hostages Jessica Buchanan and Danish citizen Poul Hagen Thisted from pirates in Somalia.