Philipsburg:--- Members of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle assisted in renovating a building set to become a school for undocumented children located in Philipsburg, Saturday, May 25, 2013.
In coordination with the St. Maarten Chapter of the United States Navy League, more than 40 Coast Guard Cutter Eagle crew members and Coast Guard Academy cadets helped with painting, repair and cleaning for a planned school building and property located on the corner of L.B. Scott Road and Red Rose Road in Philipsburg.
Eagle, conducting its cadet summer training deployment, arrived in Philipsburg Friday for a port call lasting through the weekend.
"It was an honor to have the opportunity to participate in this event. I'd like to thank the people of St. Maarten for their warm hospitality and for sharing their beautiful island with us," said Captain Wes Pulver, Commanding Officer of Eagle. At 295 feet in length, the Eagle is the largest tall ship flying the stars and stripes and the only active square-rigger in U.S. government service.
Eagle has served as a classroom at sea to future Coast Guard officers since 1946, offering an at-sea leadership and professional development experience. Currently, there are 145 cadets from the Coast Guard Academy embarked. The summer deployment spans 11-weeks, stopping at nine port calls in five countries, with four different groups of cadets training onboard.
To follow the Eagle's summer cruise, visit the ship's Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/CoastGuardCutterEagle
