Seabee Museum hosts ribbon cutting ceremony

JIM RUGH looks at a mural depicting Seabees unloading supplies at a station in Antarctica. / PBN FILE PHOTO/BRIAN MCDONALD
JIM RUGH looks at a mural depicting Seabees unloading supplies at a station in Antarctica. / PBN FILE PHOTO/BRIAN MCDONALD

NORTH KINGSTOWN – After a decade-long fundraising effort and countless volunteer hours, the U.S. Navy Seabees announced the new Museum and Memorial Park on Iafrate Way in Davisville will open to the public at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Richard Caito, museum board president and former Seabee, said, “This has been 10 years in the making and we wanted to hold an event to thank all those who have been involved in this project and volunteered their time to building the museum.”

Created to honor the more than 325,000 men who served as Seabees during World War II, Caito said the museum will be a place of learning where younger generations can go to know about the contributions made by the Seabees – the U.S. naval construction force.

The Seabees played a strategic role in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, as well as the current global war on terror being fought by U.S. troops today.

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“Their story is an important part of America’s efforts to protect our freedom at home and abroad,” he said.

Friday’s ceremony will include remarks by Caito and former Seabee Jack Sprengle, who will also serve as the museum’s curator. U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse also will speak.

R.I. Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea and Treasurer Seth Magaziner will be in attendance as well as Steven King of the Quonset Development Corp., former R.I. Lt. Gov. Bernard Jackovony, state Rep. Doreen Costa, U.S. Rep. James R. Langevin and North Kingstown Town Manager Tom Mulligan.

Families and friends of former Seabees from across New England and the East Coast will join in the celebration as well.

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