Retired U.S. Navy Cmdr. Grant Mann, who serves as executive director of the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, was the guest speaker at the first of the Navy League Treasure Coast Council’s 2021-2022 Speaker Series, held at the Quail Valley River Club.
The St. Lucie West High School NJROTC color guard, one of several ROTC groups supported by the league, presented the colors, before guests took a moment to honor past council president Don Wickstrand, U.S. Navy Capt. Ret., who recently passed away.
“He was a man of principle, integrity and strength. A patriot, passionate about the Navy and about our veterans. He was a mentor, advisor and valuable member of the board,” said John Beckert.
In addition to a delightful luncheon, there was the ceremonial cutting of a cake with a sword by the oldest and youngest sailors present, to symbolize the passing of knowledge and celebrate the 246th Birthday Anniversary of the U.S. Navy.
League president Jay Rinchack shared details of Mann’s distinguished 34-year career as a Navy SEAL, which included two tours on board DD 986 as a Boatswain Mate, two deployments at SEAL Team 5, and seven years at SEAL Team 6, including as a Commanding Training Officer and Mobility Squadron Commander.
Mann said the irony of ending up back in Vero Beach wasn’t lost on him. Born in Toronto, Canada, he was raised in Vero Beach and didn’t enroll in the Navy until he turned 25.
“I was having too much fun in Vero Beach, working at the Ocean Grill and Bobby’s, drinking, chasing girls and sailing my Hobie Cat.”
In essence, his link to the Navy SEALs began, and continues today, where the original “frogmen” first gained their sea legs, along the shores of the Treasure Coast. Mann expounded on the evolution of the SEALs, beginning in 1943 when the military discovered they needed specially trained soldiers to handle changes in military warfare tactics during World War II.
“They started training in Fort Pierce to get ready for Normandy. They lived on the south side of Fort Pierce Inlet and trained on the north side of the inlet,” said Mann. The area is now home to the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, which opened in 1985.
“Our main job is preserving the history and heritage of the Navy SEALs and, more importantly, our (UDT) predecessors. More than the museum, we need to give back to the community,” said Mann.
He explained that through their Trident House Charities, they support military veterans and their families with scholarships, K-9 support dogs and the Trident House, a place of refuge.
He added that Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training was designed to tease out the qualities needed to perform in various terrains, often under hostile conditions. Chief among those attributes are honor, courage and commitment. He noted that during the most recent ‘Hell Week,’ only 33 students graduated out of a class of 139.
“Each student ran over 2,000 miles and swam 128 miles,” said Mann, likening it to swimming from Cuba to the southern tip of Florida and running to New York City.
The mission of the Navy League is to support members of the sea services and their families, educate others about the importance of sea power for economic prosperity and national security, and to build America’s future through youth programs. The council awards scholarships, supports the Coast Guard Station in Fort Pierce, has sent more than 21,000 paperback books to service members, and participates in various veteran ceremonies.
For information about the Navy League Speaker Series, visit treasurecoastnavyleague.org. For more information about the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum, visit navysealmuseum.org.
Photos by Kaila Jones
