US Naval Sea Cadet Corps Given Permanent Home at the Long Island Maritime Museum

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone signed a bill on Saturday authorizing the County and the Long Island Maritime Museum to establish a more permanent relationship with the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps.

The bill will allow the Sea Cadets to remain at the Long Island Maritime Museum in West Sayville and will allow them to improve existing structures on the Museum grounds, offer their program on an ongoing basis and to more cadets, and foster public appreciation for maritime/naval history.

“The Lt. Michael Murphy Sea Cadets have great leadership and committed cadets that help to add character to our county,” said Suffolk County Legis. Bill Lindsay III. “I am extremely proud and committed to this program and I hope that in addition to preserving the legacy of one of our local heroes, Michael Murphy, it provides a place for our young people to learn, grow, and gain first-hand experience in the day to day operations of our armed forces.”

Established in 2012, the Lt. Michael Murphy Division of the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps honors local hero and Medal of Honor recipient Michael Murphy, who was killed in action during a counter-insurgence mission in Afghanistan in 2005. 

“This partnership is an excellent opportunity to recognize a hero from our community,” Legis. Rob Calarco said. “Not only is it a way to add an exciting new component to our Maritime Museum, but it also provides space for our young people interested in learning more about the armed forces. This partnership is a positive win for the museum, the community and our local future veterans.”

The Sea Cadet Corps continue to honor his legacy by offering training and education for kids between the ages of 10 and 17 about basic seamanship and seagoing skills as well as to instill a sense of patriotism and self-reliance. So far, three cadets have gone on to naval academies across the U.S.

The bill, titled Introductory Resolution 1455, will allow the Sea Cadets to improve existing structures on the museum grounds that would make the program better equipped to take on additional cadets. Cadet officials, who are fundraising or the upgrades, say the expansions will provide necessary space for training and education and will also create a public exhibit dedicated to the Navy Seals, the first of its kind in the Northeast.