NCGMA Newsletter 2021 SUMMER

FROM THE PRESIDENT:
A NEW NORMAL SUMMER
We are all grateful that life is returning to normal this Coast Guard Day. Last
summer felt so strange, largely due to the loss of so many patriotic celebrations
that have come to encompass family and local community gatherings. Parades
and fireworks on the 4th of July are back. The Coast Guard Festival will once
again welcome tens of thousands of visitors to Grand Haven, MI after a hiatus
last August. Life is starting to feel right again!
The Museum Association hosted our first in-person event in over a year in Seattle
in late June. What a joy it was to gather with around two dozen fellow Coast
Guard Retirees to brief them and hear their thoughts on the Retiree magazine,
the Long Blue Line, which we produce. There was a lot of excitement in the
Pacific Northwest about our National Museum, and we look forward to visiting
many more cities across our Nation to meet with our major supporters.
All of this got me thinking about the celebrations we will enjoy on the Thames
River waterfront in downtown New London, CT once the Museum is open. Just
as this summer of 2021 is an exuberant time of reconnecting with people as the
aroma of burgers on the grill wafts over, when we open, I envision an amazing
string of patriotic celebrations of the Coast Guard at the Nation’s newest military
museum, including fireworks over the masts of “America’s Tall Ship,” the USCGC
EAGLE homeported right outside the Museum’s front door.
We are so grateful that so many people share our vision and excitement for
this new hub of experiential learning, in which Americans young and old will
learn about their unsung Armed Service, the Coast Guard. We have terrific
momentum, and with your continued support – the best is yet to come!
And this Coast Guard Day, in addition to looking forward, we have the
opportunity to show our gratitude for the 80 years of service provided by
members of the Coast Guard Reserve, including our newest Board member
and our dedicated Board Chair. Bravo Zulu to all!
Lastly, I want to congratulate our Board Member MCPOCG Vince Patton,
USCG (Ret.) on his upcoming honor as he will be receiving the 2021 J. Robert
Lunney Patriot’s Award at the New York Council Navy League Anniversary
Dinner in November.
Happy Coast Guard Day,
CAPT Wes Pulver, USCG (Ret.)
President
National Coast Guard Museum Association
At the time of his retirement, serving
28 years as President of Norwich
University, Dr. Richard W. Schneider
was one of the Nation’s longest serving
college presidents. Throughout his experience
in the military and academia, he epitomized
Norwich’s Guiding Values and unique
position in the landscape of American higher
education. Norwich is the birthplace of the
Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), and
has prepared thousands of commissioned
officers to serve in all of the military branches
of the United States of America.
Dr. Schneider is a 1968 graduate of the U.S.
Coast Guard Academy. He was commissioned
as an ensign in the Coast Guard and served
eight years of active duty, including a tour of
Vietnam, and retired from the Coast Guard
Reserve as a Rear Admiral, the most senior
Coast Guard Reservist. Following release
from active duty in 1976, he became the
Executive Officer of the College of Marine
Studies at the University of Delaware, during
which time he completed his Ph.D. In 1986,
he joined Drexel University as Vice President
of Research and later as Senior Vice President
for Administration.
The National Coast Guard Museum Association
is proud to welcome such a dedicated patriot,
with a proven passion for excellence, as the
newest member of our Board of Directors.
“RADM Schneider is a visionary leader who
rises to challenges,” said Susan Curtin, Board
Chair. “The Museum Association is fortunate
to have someone with his service record and
his experience to help us develop the National
Coast Guard Museum.”
In July 1992, Dr. Schneider became the
23rd President of Norwich University.
During his tenure he spearheaded
major improvements on multiple fronts.
Academically, four colleges now offer 39
different undergraduate majors, nine of which
are degree completion programs offered
online. Other accomplishments include:
doubling the undergraduate enrollment to
2400, increasing student selectivity, and
reducing acceptances from 93% to 68.7%.
He established the College of Graduate and
Continuing Studies, which now enrolls 1500
online students enrolled in 23 programs as
well as professional development certification
programs. Schneider made substantial
additions to the physical plant by constructing
10 new buildings and renovating almost 97%
To view current and previous newsletters online, vist:
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coastguardmuseum.org/newsletter
NATIONAL COAST GUARD MUSEUM ASSOCIATION