Jaeger-LeCoultre - The 24th annual Veterans Day Ceremony
November 7, 2009 Fort Pierce, FLORIDA - The National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum hosted its 24th annual Veterans Day Ceremony ("Muster") on November 7th and 8th in Fort Pierce, Florida. Members of the Jaeger-LeCoultre North American team were on hand to witness and participate in the activities, including a 5K race, a live auction, and a live capabilities demonstration preformed by US Navy SEALs.
The Veterans Day ceremony honored several guests including Adm. Eric Olson, commander, U.S. Special Operations Command, and guest speaker Capt. Richard Phillips, former captain of the Maersk Alabama, who was held captive by pirates off the coast of Somalia before being rescued by the Navy SEALs.
"I am honored to stand here today in the midst of the true heroes of the Naval Special Warfare, " Phillips said. "Without their training and dedication, I can honestly say that I would not be standing here today."
"The muster is a great way to get both the frogmen and the public together to honor the legacy of Naval Special Warfare," McSween said. "The Museum is located on the original training grounds of the Navy's Naval Combat Demolition Units (NCDUs), which are the precursors to the modern-day SEALs. I can't think of a more appropriate location to bring the men of Naval Special Warfare together: this is their birthplace. It is great to witness SEALs revisit such an important place in their history".
Among the SEALs performing the capabilities demonstration, including fastroping, a sniper demonstration, and a hostage rescue, were two individuals who are currently testing and evaluating the newest addition to the Jaeger-LeCoultre diving line: the Master Compressor Diving Alarm Navy SEALs. As part of this program, these US Navy SEALs will be wearing the watch during their deployments and operations around the world. In addition to gathering performance information about the watch in an operational environment, they have visually documented it as well.
ABOUT JAEGER-LeCOULTRE
Since 1833, the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre has been at the forefront of fine Swiss watchmaking. Located in the Vallee de Joux, Jaeger-LeCoultre has nurtured a succession of inventors who have taken the family business of founder Antoine LeCoultre to international recognition. Featuring an unparalleled number of skills and crafts under a single roof, Jaeger-LeCoultre continues to produce timepieces that are innovative, elegant and refined. From the creation of the world's smallest mechanical movement, to the legendary swivel-case Reverso, Jaeger-LeCoultre is a rare manufacture with a vision and passion for the measurement of time.