GSM NEWS: VOL 3, ISSUE 1

USS GROTON SAIL MONUMENT NEWS

Mission Statement: Dedicated to the men and women who design, build, operate, and maintain our Nation's submarines and the families and communities who support them.
View our video

Members of our Board of Directors welcome the lower portion of the USS Groton's sail to Electric Boat.

(L to R) Mark Oefinger (Vice Chair), Jim Streeter (Treasurer), Rick Norris (Project Manager), Marian Galbraith (Secretary).

Just before Christmas 2025, the USS Groton’s sail, fairwater planes, and rudder arrived at Electric Boat Shipyard after being remediated and sandblasted by IMIA, LLC in Rhode Island for modification and refurbishment. Electric Boat has already contributed 25,000 training hours toward restoring these components for the USS Groton Sail Monument. The sail requires the most attention, especially in squaring up the horizontal cut made at the fairwater plane bearings.


Engineering work is also needed to remove parts of the internal structure and add material to accommodate the fairwater planes. With all masts and antennas removed, cover plates and fairing material will be added to the top of the sail. Missing sail plates will be replaced with new metal to close the openings—like piecing together a puzzle with some pieces missing.


While EB has donated significant hours to bring the sail back close to its original design, additional engineering and materials will add costs, raising the fundraising goal. To help “Bring the Groton Home,” donations are greatly appreciated. Once work at EB is complete, the hope is for just one final move to its permanent spot at the monument site.


High Speed Fund Raising!


We are shifting into high gear for fund raising. We are expanding our committee and have taken on a consultant, CCS Fundraising, to help guide and assist us in our campaign. We are looking at a six month push to reach our goal of $2.5 million plus dollars to bring the Groton Sail Monument to fruition. While we are creating our core body to solicit for donations, we still need help in newsletter publishing, marketing campaign through local and area media sources, treasurer support and administrative assistance. If anyone has experience or would like to assist in these endeavors, please contact us by filling out the volunteer form on our website or respond through this newsletter. If all else fails, call us at the phone number listed on the contact page of the website. We would really like more help than needed. We can always find a position for you. You don’t need to be local or in the same time zone to volunteer. With today’s communications and meeting capabilities we can always meet, discuss and share online. Come on, join us in building a legacy!

Thank You for Your Donation(s)

New for this newsletter and moving forward we are going to recognize those individuals and organizations that have made contributions to the USS Groton Sail Monument, by either purchasing a paver or making a contribution. We want to thank all those that have made contributions and purchases towards the Monument in the past. Without your help we would not be where we are at in the progress of building the Monument.


Thank you to the following individuals who purchased engraved pavers for the USS Groton Sail Monument walkway since our last newsletter.


Jessica Hoadley, Joshua E Murch, Julie Cagle, Laura S Pringle, Casey White, Stephen Serpe, William J. Fisher, John P Davis, Hilda Smith, Steve Ewing, Peter Wilson, Francis T Jones, Peter Auerbach, Earl Colella, Christopher M Lewis, Sandra Lewis.


Thank you to the following individuals who made monetary donations for the construction of the USS Groton Sail Monument since our last newsletter.


Daniel L. Cooper, John Hall, Warren Mackensen, John Lastauckas, Cathy Cook
Click Here To Make A Donation

How can you support the project?  

Buy A PAVER


Don’t forget to put your own name or the name of a loved one on one of our pavers. In the years to come, you and your loved ones will take particular pleasure in finding the paver and knowing that their contribution isn’t forgotten. Choose from one of ten logos and add your own text. Whether you want to memorialize your own efforts or those of a friend, co-worker, or loved one, you can purchase a paver which will be part of the walkway.


Buy A Paver
Click here to learn more about volunteering opportunities.

GROTON SAIL MONUMENT NEWS

February 2026
 

USS Groton Sail Foundation | PO Box 694 | Groton, CT 06340 US

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