Have you heard of FORCE BLUE and their Tour of Duty?
Picture this. Retired special operations veterans + marine conservation = giving back and making an impact. 
Force Blue helps veterans use their unique skills to support scientists and conservationists at marine sanctuaries across the United States.
We were honored to host them in Alpena for an entire week during September 2024.
Check out this video to see their incredible journey and mission.
This film entitled “Thunder Enlightening” was created by Robert Whitney and Force Blue.
While in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, the Force Blue crew helped with marine debris mapping, clean up, and a nurdle patrol at the North Point Nature Preserve. They also spent a good chunk of time in the water documenting shipwrecks with 360 cameras, assessing mooring buoy equipment, and removing nearly a dozen seasonal buoys which helped the onsite crew save time at the end of the season. Force Blue also met with local reports, radio and television talk show hosts, presented at school assemblies and shared at a community lecture.
Huge thanks to Force Blue for all you do—for our planet and our communities! 
