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.
The Groton Sail Foundation has some exciting news! The submarine sail and rudder from the USS Groton, which has been stored in a back lot of the Naval Submarine Base for 10+years has finally moved off base to be sandblasted. The initial process is expected to take several weeks after which it will be moved to Electric Boat for weld and repair. This is the exciting first step toward building the USS Groton Submarine Monument
Work at Electric Boat will begin in mid-October 2025. Electric Boat will use the repair and reconstruction of the sail for training future submarine builders. They have set aside 25,000 training man-hours to do the work which could take up to a year.
The extent of the work required will not be fully known until the sandblasting is completed. After this restoration work is complete, the finished pieces will be painted and prepared for shipping to the site.
The present goal for completion of the project is late fall of 2026.
Fundraising
Have you heard the old joke, “What does BOAT stand for? Break Out Another Thousand.” The same is true with this effort. Rising costs of construction and unexpected costs for remediation and transportation has pushed our fundraising goal higher. We’re working diligently to seek corporate and individual donors. We’re also applying for grants. But nothing is more important than your support. If you can help either through your own contribution, a suggestion for a corporate donation, and or getting your friends involved through a paver sale or a direct contribution, please don’t hesitate to reach out. There's good news for those who do "Break Out Another Thousand." Any donor whose aggregate donations total $1000 or more will be listed on the donor wall. The USS Groton Sail Monument is a qualified 501(c)(3).
June Holaday from Chelsea Groton Foundation presenting a check to the USS Groton Sail Foundation
(L-R) Mike Hewitt, June Holaday, Rick Norris, Mark Oefinger, John Padgett
Chelsea Groton Foundation presented the USS Groton Sail Monument with a check for $1260 toward the publication of our new promotional booklet. The booklet conveys the excitement of the monument to potential donors with vivid images and inspiring information. Click here to see the booklet.
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.
