Mystic, CT - The U. S. Naval Academy (USNA) Offshore Sail Training Squadron (OSTS) will visit Mystic Seaport.  After a non-stop, 300-nautical mile sail from Annapolis, MD, five NA-44 foot sailboats will arrive at the Mystic River Park on Friday morning July 9th, before proceeding up the river to Mystic Seaport in late afternoon. The boats, crewed by midshipmen, will stay at Mystic Seaport until departure on Monday morning, July 12th.

The NA-44’s will be welcomed by USCG Auxiliary and Mystic Fire Department vessels.  Noank Shipyard will provide fuel, maintenance and related support services to the squadron. Local families will provide lodging for the crews and The Hampton Inn & Suites Mystic will donate rooms with breakfast each morning for the skippers.

On Friday, the midshipmen will be hosted by the Mystic Rotary to lunch at the Mystic River Park. Following lunch, the midshipmen will have time to visit and shop in downtown Mystic.  That afternoon the boats at the park will be open for public tours from noon to 4:00 PM.  On Sunday evening, the midshipmen and their host families will enjoy a private farewell reception and dinner on the beautiful grounds of The Mystic Seaport.  The entire evening will be catered by Coastal  Gourmet.

Weekend visitors to Mystic Seaport are welcome to tour the USNA offshore sailing vessels from noon to 4:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday on the Seaport grounds, and to meet the midshipmen who crew them. Mystic Seaport will also be honoring all active duty and retired military personnel during the same weekend.  Military personnel with a valid military ID will be given special discounts on the admission price to the Seaport.

The USNA Alumni and The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce are seeking public involvement to support the visit of these future Navy and Marine Corps officers. Specifically, they are requesting financial or in-kind donations to help make this a world-class event for the midshipmen.

Donations can be sent to the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce, 14 Holmes Street, Mystic, CT.06355.  Please make checks payable to: The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce-USNA Visit.

The Mystic community has long supported the U.S. military.  With many veterans in the area, everyone is encouraged to give financial support in any way possible.  This is the community's opportunity to thank these fine young men and women who will be serving their country during these difficult times.

The Naval Academy provides a four-year undergraduate education for 4400 midshipmen (students) to prepare them morally, mentally and physically to be professional officers in the naval service.  Upon graduation, midshipmen are awarded a Bachelor of Science degree and receive a commission either as an ensign in the U.S. Navy or a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps, where they serve at least five years as leaders of Sailors and Marines.

More information about the Naval Academy is available at www.usna.edu.

Date: July 9 to July 12, 2010