FORCE BLUE Partners with America250!
FORCE BLUE and America250 Announce Partnership to Honor America’s 250th Anniversary
Mt. Pleasant, SC – February 13, 2025 – America250, the national nonpartisan organization established by Congress and working to engage every American in celebrating and commemorating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, our nation’s Semiquincentennial, has announced a national partnership with FORCE BLUE, a veterans nonprofit whose goal is to unite Special Operations warriors with the world of marine science and conservation for the betterment of both.
This new alliance will enable both FORCE BLUE and America250 to better highlight many of the events and initiatives each organization has planned for 2026.
“We talk a lot about giving veterans back that sense of purpose they had in the military,” said Jim Ritterhoff, FORCE BLUE’s Executive Director, “a way to continue serving something greater than themselves — in this case, the health of our planet. But what we don’t talk about is the patriotism that’s involved. Partnering with America250 as we celebrate our 10 anniversary, and our nation celebrates its 250, allows us to do so.”
Chief among FORCE BLUE’s missions this year are three “Tour of Duty” stops at national marine sanctuaries in Georgia, California and New York. Partnering with America250 provides yet another way for FORCE BLUE to showcase these national treasures.
“Virtually every American can name one or two of our national parks,.” said Steve Gonzalez, retired U.S. Navy SEAL Master Chief and FORCE BLUE’s Special Projects & Events Director. “But ask them to name a national marine sanctuary, and you get crickets. Our goal is to change that. And there’s no better time to do so then during the celebration of America’s 250 birthday.”
“America’s 250th anniversary is a time to honor the spirit of service that has shaped our nation since its founding,” said Jen Condon, Executive Vice President at America250. “FORCE BLUE’s work supporting veterans while protecting our national marine sanctuaries reflects that enduring commitment to country and community, and we’re pleased to collaborate as we engage Americans in this historic milestone.”
ABOUT AMERICA250
America250’s mission is to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking America’s Semiquincentennial. We aim to inspire our fellow Americans to reflect on our past, strengthen our love of country, and renew our commitment to the ideals of democracy through programs that educate, engage, and unite us as a nation. America250 will foster shared experiences that spark imagination, showcase the rich tapestry of our American stories, inspire service in our communities, honor the enduring strength, and celebrate the resilience of the United States of America.
ABOUT FORCE BLUE
Established in 2016 as a means of addressing two seemingly unrelated problems– the rapidly declining health of our marine resources and the difficulty far too many servicemen and women have in adjusting to civilian life once their service ends– FORCE BLUE is the only nonprofit organization in the world that retains and redeploys former Special Operations veterans and military-trained combat divers to work alongside scientists and environmentalist on marine conservation missions.
Harkening back to the days of Jacques Cousteau and the French Frogmen he trained, FORCE BLUE has assembled a modern-day cadre of elite military veterans with the aptitude and ability to achieve great things on the conservation front–and the visibility to let the world know about it. Through its composition and commitment, FORCE BLUE is building a model of caring, cooperation, and positive change with the power to restore lives and the planet.