Our Sponsors

West Michigan Division is sponsored by the Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum and VFW Post 446.

Great Lakes Naval Memorial and Museum 
GLNMM has been thriving in Muskegon since 1987. When this Maritime Museum first started it consisted of just USS SILVERSIDES, which is how it received its first name, The USS SILVERSIDES and Maritime Museum. The museum put many hours of hard work into restoring this WWII vessel and is proud of how she looks today. In 1993, the museum expanded with the arrival of USCGC McLANE, and the process of refurbishing started all over again. McLANE is well on her way to being fully restored.


USCGC McLane
USCGC McLane was commissioned April 8, 1927 in Camden, New Jersey. She is one of 33 sisters, sometimes referred to as the "Buck-and-a-Quarter" class because of her 125 feet length. The class was authorized by President Calvin Coolidge's administration as part of an effort to enforce the Volstead Act - what we commonly call Prohibition. The Volstead Act made it illegal to produce, transport, or sell alcohol in the U.S.


USS Silversides
USS SILVERSIDES was commissioned in the U.S. Navy on December 15, 1941, just eight days after the attack on Pearl Harbor. She left for the first of her 14 war patrols on April 30, 1942.

To learn more about USCGC McLane, USNSCC Silversides or the Great Lakes Naval Memorial & Museum please visit their website here.


VFW Post 446
Post 446 has been serving the Muskegon Area since 1929.  The post is evolved in many area charities, involving veterans, service members and non-service community needs.  Post 446 has supported many area youth programs from Young Marines to Cub Scouts to West Michigan Division Sea Cadets.  Post 446 has given West Michigan Division the ability to learn, grow and know what true volunteerism means to others. 



West Michigan Division often volunteers a VFW Post 446 and participates at VFW Post 446 community events.  West Michigan Division realizes the importance of knowing our veterans and doing all we can to help out were needed.



To learn more about VFW Post 446 please contact them or visit their website here.

Mission Statement

"to honor the people who have served and are serving the naval and maritime traditions of our nation, through education and historic preservation."