Coast Guard Commandant Pays Visit To Habitat For Humanity Site

The commandant of the United States Coast Guard visited a Habitat for Humanity build site in New London on Thursday, praising the Coast Guard Academy cadets who have been involved in the project.

Admiral Robert J. Papp spoke with a small group of cadets at the four-bedroom home at 9 Jefferson Ave. Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Connecticut will celebrate the completion of the house and dedicate it in a public ceremony at noon on Saturday.

Papp said he considers the Coast Guard to have connections around the world as part of its mission, but that the service has its strongest association with the communities that host Coast Guard stations and other sites. He said participating cadets showed dedication in the project by working on it during weekends.

“I’m impressed,” said Papp. “This is great. This is a nice, solid house.”

In what Habitat for Humanity believes to be the first home sponsored by the alumni of a service academy, the construction was sponsored by the Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association. The academy’s Parents Association and Institute for Leadership also supported the project. The bulk of the work was done by cadets currently attending the academy as well as volunteers.

Terri O’Rourke, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Southeastern Connecticut, said she considered the home an investment in the community, saying it will contribute to New London’s value through property taxes.

“It’s quite a tangible change in addition to what you’re doing for the family,” she said.

The home was built for Linda Needham, a mother of three. Needham has completed 400 hours of “sweat equity” by attending homeowner training and working at the house as well as other Habitat for Humanity projects and the organization’s ReStore. She will purchase the house through a non-profit mortgage.

Cadet First Class Kathryn Weber said each cadet who took part in the project was able to identify a component in the house they had a hand in installing. She recalled putting in windows on the upper floor.

“It was neat hearing the cadets talk about what they put in,” she said.

Cadet Second Class Anthony Monteforte was visiting the home after contributing to early work, such as the raising of the walls.

“When I first came in here, maybe 15 minutes ago, I was completely amazed,” he told Papp.

Papp will remain in New London to attend a Friday morning presentation at the Science and Technology Magnet High School to reveal details of the plan to locate the National Coast Guard Museum in the city.

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