Congressman Joe Courtney looks to get Coast Guard Museum Project Up and Running
Posted on 21 October 2009 by Jim Dolbow | Comments
Jennifer Grogan of theday.com writes,
U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney wants to get the stalled National Coast Guard Museum project going again by creating a public-private partnership to support the endeavor.
Courtney, D-2nd District, discussed the project with Adm. Thad W. Allen, Coast Guard commandant, late last month and requested a letter reaffirming the service’s support for the museum.
Allen did not say in that letter whether he supports such a partnership, but other stakeholders, including Coast Guard Foundation President Anne Brengle, are in favor of the idea.
Brengle said there is “no way this can be just a project built on private philanthropy; it has got to be a public-private partnership.”
Allen called New London the “natural home” for the museum in the letter, dated Oct. 5, since the city has historical ties to the Coast Guard, has a place in national maritime history and is home to the Coast Guard Academy.
Courtney wants to amend the 2004 law that established New London as the home to the National Coast Guard Museum to allow the Coast Guard to help pay for the museum.
I was on Capitol Hill when the law was passed designating New London as the home for the National Coast Guard Museum. Thought it was a bad idea then and same holds true today.
Do you support or oppose moving the National Coast Guard Museum to Washington, D.C.? Inquiring minds want to know. thanks.
JWillis
Let's see: Army Museum: Ft Belvoir, VA Navy Museum: Washington DC Marine Corps Museum: Quantico, VA Air Force Museum: Wright Patterson AFB,Ohio Coast Guard Museum: New London CT. That doesn't seem right to me.
The Coast Guard Museum should be near the nations capital, not stuck in some out of the way spot like New London. Tourists visit the DC area. How many tourists visit New London.
Years ago TISCOM Alexandria was a pretty big area, property wise. If it still is, why not cut off a few acres and put the museum there?
Sassenach
So far as I've ever heard, the only people in favor of New London are the politicans who want to bring home the pork to build upon the rubble of the Kelo decision. Publicly, I suppose CG leadership will have to toe the line, but privately they're gagging over it.
CGRDCS
Not only should the Coast Guard Museum, not be be in New London, neither should THE Coast Guard Band . The Army band is NOT at West Point. The Navy Band is NOT at Annapolis. The Marine Corps Band is NOT at Camp Lejeune. The Air Force Band is NOT at Colorado Springs.
The only people that feel the CG Band and Museum need to be in New London, are the politicians and Academy Alumni, (Active and non active)
The Kelo decision will forever taint any Coast Guard activity on the proposed site.IMHO
mrjacksonthomas
Wrong and wrong....first.....Who in Washington DC even knows where the Navy Museum is? The Army? No one! People know about the USMC museum, but that's just outside of DC. Finally the Air Force is well outside of DC. Military museums in DC are lost to the Smithsonian.
The Coast Guard Band actually has a relationship with the community of New London. I wonder, CGRDS....exactly who is willing to take the pay cut to move the Coast Guard band to DC....and exactly where will they be kept? I'm not against it, but they need to have a home...they can't practice out in the rain, and I'm assuming you know their set up as is.
I also want to assume you've been to TISCOM and know about all of the NON-Coast Guard security there...now...I wonder how open they can make TISCOM (in the middle of nowhere in Alexandria).
CGRDCS
Mr. Jacksonthomas
IMHO The Washington Navy Yard is well known in the Washington area. So, is the USS Barry. Thousands see it daily from the South Capitol Street Bridge. So is the Marine Barracks at 8th and "I" just up the street from the Navy Yard Old Main Gate. So's Bolling AFS, and Anacostia Naval Annex.
The Coast Guard Band may have a relationship with the New London Community, but it's first obligation is to the WHOLE COAST GUARD. I know that they are enlisted with idea that they would only be stationed in New London, and sometimes openings appear at Cape May, but it is not the CG Academy Band, it is the Coast Guard Band. If they don't want to serve outside of New London, then let them go and enlist new members, with the understanding that they will be stationed in the DC area. The rest of the Guard goes where they are assigned, so should the BAND. For the Museum, if not in DC, or at TISCOM, then what about in Baltimore aside the Yard. How much land does the CG still have at Curtis Bay??? Baltimore is a lot closer to DC than New London. About the same distance to DC as Quantico. More transportation choices than New London.
For the Band , same thing. Build the necessary facilities, and move. The closer location to DC would permit a great many more Public Affairs gigs to be seen by more people
Interesting idea you have w/ Baltimore as a site. With the TANEY nearby it would be a great location IMO.
As far as the CG Band goes, I didn't even know the CG had a Band...Navy always seems to be the ones playing at the CG Changes of Commands I've been at. ;)
mrjacksonthomas
I understand the point about having the Coast Guard band and museum in the Washington, DC area, however, I also would maintain that it will just get lost there, like the U.S. Coast Guard Memorial at Arlington. Right next to the Air Force Memorial....which do people notice? Not the Coast Guard. What do people know about the Navy Yard that aren't in the military? Not much, unless they're driving to a Nationals game and crossing the bridge to get there from I-295.
Baltimore wouldn't be a bad idea, but IMO, I would rather not see Rep. Cummins benefit from anything the Coast Guard does. He's had is teeth in the service for some time. I don't disagree about the band.
Band in DC? Yes. Museum in DC? I'm not married to that.
CGRDCS
Surface Force and Mr. Jacksonthomas,
Thanks for the replys. Surface Force, Yes, WE have a Band and a D**n good one, it's just hidden away in New London. Image the press, to have the Coast Guard Band play at Arlington, on either Veteran's Day or Memorial Day. Or Free Concerts on the Mall, during the summer, asd the other 4 service bandsa do. I do not have a problem with any serving member of the Band or wish them harm. But the Coast Guard is more than New London, or Groton, or Boston, IMHO there has been too much focus on the Academy and Coast Guard Culture.
I am not completely married to Baltimore, it was just an idea. I would think that the primary visitors to the CG Museum would be Coastie and families, or folks with a desire to learn more about the Service, It's Culture and History. Remember that the Guard had a Boot Camp at Baltimore, there in WW2. I just wonder how much land is left.
The politicians are going to get the credit, no matter where it's built. And at last count they were "D"'s. I don't care whio gets the credit. Build it, staff it with people that know the CG and it's history, culture and traditions, and let's enjoy it.
CGRDCS
mrjacksonthomas
You're simply overlooking the fact that the Coast Guard Band travels a great deal. They do play at Arlington for Veterans Day at the CG Memorial, and they are a part of many "big" events in Washington. They play in Japan and Europe and all over the United States.
Much like CGC DALLAS doesn't "patrol" Charleston, the Coast Guard Band isn't anchored in New London, CT.
MR.PALCO92
i AGREE WITH MR.JACKSONTHOMAS.DC,DC,DC.BUT I THINK THEY COULD PRACTICE OR PLAY IN THE RAIN LIKE THE COLLAGE BANDS do, maybe not practice.lol.I know the USCG is well known for the Atlantic area ,but what about the Pacific area.the USN coming out of me ,I sorry.what do you mean as far as taking a pay cut?i am confused.please help.
CGBlog would like to thank the generosity of Dan Trimble for his time and service in helping move the site to it's new home and for maintaining it free of charge.
