The Long Blue Line (Summer 2024)

SUMMER 2024 

TEACH HER TO FISH, 

AND YOU FEED HER 

FOR A LIFETIME 

ACTION NEEDED 

TO CONTINUE 

RECEIVING 

YOUR FREE 

LONG BLUE 

LINE 

(see page 11) 

COAST GUARD'S 

PHILANTHROPY NETWORK 

GIVING BACK 

AND PAYING IT 

FORWARD 

LOS ANGELES 

HARBOR LIGHT: 

KEEPER 

OVERBOARD

2 SUMMER 2024 

THE LONG BLUE LINE

THE LONG BLUE LINE SUMMER 2024 

3


Editor In Chief: Patti Fazio 

Managing Editor: Scott McGuire 

Art Director/Graphic Designer: 

Scott McGuire 

CG Retiree Services Program 

Manager: Bob Hinds, USCG CWO4 

(Ret.), Honorary CG MCPO 

Staff Writers: MCPO Jeff 

Creighton, USCG (Ret.) 

Contributing Writers: Renee 

Coleman, National Coast Guard 

Museum Director of Public Affairs 

Editorial Support: Catherine Janney 

Chief of the Mess: MCPOCG Vincent 

W. Patton, Ed.D., USCG (Ret.) 

PUBLISHER: 

The Long Blue Line is published 

quarterly by the National Coast 

Guard Museum Association, 

78 Howard Street, Suite A, New 

London, CT 06320 

ADVERTISING: 

Pentagon Publishing, Inc. 

2342 Oak Rd. 

Snellville, GA 30078 

Contact Jenny White, 

jenny@pentagon-usa.us 

PAST ISSUES: 

Current and past issues of The Long 

Blue Line (formerly The Retiree 

Newsletter) are accessible at: 

www.longblueline.org 

Current Coast Guard News is 

accessible at www.news.uscg.mil 

You may sign up for CG news 

updates at https://public. 

govdelivery.com/accounts/ 

USDHSCG/subscriber/ 

new?category_id=USDHSCG_ 

C18ou 

ON THE COVER: 

Los Angeles Harbor Lighthouse, 

California - 18th district, circa 1960s. 

(photo courtesy of Lighthouse 

Digest) 

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 

6 

8 

10 

14 

22 

28 

36 

44 

50 

54 

56 

60 

68 

76 

86 

88 

92 

94 

IMPORTANT REMINDERS: 

Hello Shipmates! 

National Retiree Council Co-Chairs 

Message from the Director 

Reunions, Notices & Items of Interest 

Teach Her to Fish, and You Feed Her for a Lifetime 

COVER STORY | Keeper Overboard: Coast Guard crew 

overcomes the elements at Los Angeles Harbor Lighthouse 

Giving Back and Paying It Forward: Coast Guard 

philanthropic networks 

Portraits of Service: Meaningful stories from shipmates 

Underway with the Katmai Bay: Coast Guard Icebreaker 

in the winter 

MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY!: Auxiliarist assist Station 

Kings Point multi-agency SAR drill 

Meet the Newest Coast Guard Astronaut 

Standby Supply Guy: Coast Guard Reservist streamlines Coast 

Guard law enforcement logistics 

Retirement Notices 

TAPS Notices 

Chaplain's Corner 

PPC-RAS 

Work-life: Connecting with the Transition Assistance Program 

Other Important Retiree Resources 

Find all of this content at longblueline.org 

• CHANGES TO RETIREE & ANNUITANT MAILING/EMAIL ADDRESSES: The CG Retiree Services Program 

Manager, Mr. Robert Hinds, does NOT have the capability to change mailing/e-mail addresses in Direct Access 

(DA). Retirees & Annuitants may change their mailing/e-mail addresses by accessing their DA Self-Service account at 

www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/ras/gp/ or by contacting CG PPC at 866-772-8724, e-mail: ppc-dg-customercare@uscg.mil 

• USCG/PHS/NOAA INPUT FOR LONG BLUE LINE: Submit input to Robert Hinds, Robert.C.Hinds@uscg.mil. 

Deadline for input for The Long Blue Line, Fall (OCT) 2024, is 23 AUG 2024. 

Neither the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) nor the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) endorse the National Coast 

Guard Museum Association, or any other non-federal entity. Further, neither DHS nor the USCG endorse or support the 

products or services advertised in this newsletter, the organizations advertising in this newsletter, or the statements of 

any non- U.S. Coast Guard contributors for this newsletter. 


THE LONG BLUE LINE


5

HELLO 

SHIPMATES! 

As we are fast approaching the Coast Guard’s 234th birthday, and all the 

wonderful celebrations and reflections that demarcate this important date for our 

Service, I am struck by the incredible year we have had and what’s ahead on 

the horizon. 

Sitting on the Board of the National Coast Guard Museum Association, I am 

keenly aware of the dedication, hard work, and tenacity of our team and our 

colleagues within USCG Headquarters to bring a National Coast Guard Museum 

to fruition. They know the importance of preserving our history, celebrating our 

accomplishments, and sharing our story and impact with the people of our great 

Nation. 

Earlier this year, I had the honor to chair the commissioning committee for the 

USCGC Calhoun (WMSL 759), in its homeport of Charleston, South Carolina. 

This 418-foot National Security Cutter is named after Charles L. Calhoun, the first 

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (MCPOCG). At the ceremony, I 

was accompanied by five retired MCPOCGs (#s 3, 6, 7, 10, & 13) along with 

the current one (14). We witnessed firsthand the ultimate recognition of a Coast 

Guard legend who truly set a gold standard from the very beginning of his tenure. 

He championed the uniforms that are worn today, gained recognition for sea 

duty with the creation of the ‘cutterman’s insignia,’ and laid the groundwork for 

the development of the command master chief program. Indeed, it’s a legacy that 

will continue to inspire future generations to achieve new heights within the Service 

on behalf of our great country. 

With an anticipated opening in 2026, the National Coast Guard Museum will be 

a home for inspiring stories such as his, and a place for our entire Coast Guard 

workforce to celebrate its collective achievements and honor the incredible 

devotion to duty throughout and beyond our 234 years. 

As we all find ways to celebrate Coast Guard Day this August 4th, I encourage 

you to join me and many others in supporting Coast Guard history, its heritage, 

and traditions. WE NEED the National Coast Guard Museum to tell our amazing 

stories to the public, and WE NEED your support to help us build it. 

Best wishes and SEMPER PARATUS! 

Vince Patton, MCPOCG, USCG, Retired 

Chief of the Mess for the National Coast Guard Museum Association 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

Left to right: MCPOCGs Jason M. 

Vanderhaden, Charles “Skip” W. Bowen, 

Vincent W. Patton, Erick “Rick” A. Trent, R. 

Jay Lloyd, Hollis B. Stephens 


7

NATIONAL RETIREE 

COUNCIL CO-CHAIRS 

RADM MERRIE AUSTIN: It’s summertime, and I 

hope everyone has a chance to slow down and enjoy 

the longer days, fireflies, watermelon, and other treats 

that this time of year brings. 

First, some big news: Master Chief Lloyd Pierce, who 

has done a phenomenal job as the senior enlisted cochair 

of the National CG Retiree Council for the past 

four years will be stepping down at the conclusion 

of the annual National Retiree Council meeting in 

August. The new senior enlisted co-chair will be the 

13th master chief petty officer of the Coast Guard 

Jason Vanderhaden. MCPOCG Vanderhaden will 

have some big shoes to fill, and I know he’s up to 

the task. Speaking of the annual council meeting, 

instead of holding our meeting at CGHQ, this year the 

meeting will be held at the Pay and Personnel Center 

in Topeka, Kansas, to give the regional council chairs 

the opportunity to see for themselves the good work 

that the PPC staff does on behalf of all active duty, 

reserve, retired Coast Guard personnel, as well as 

NOAA Corps and Public Health Service officers. This 

will really give each of us the chance to understand 

how this relatively small group of CG professionals 

take care of all of our pay and related issues. We will 

report back on what we learn in a future issue of The 

Long Blue Line. If you have any burning questions 

that you would like us to ask while we’re at PPC, 

please forward them to Mr. Bob Hinds, and we will 

ask as many of them that time allows. 

Second, please spread the word that the CG is 

hiring! The best thing we can do as retirees is to let 

people know about opportunities to serve in the CG 

by sharing your stories. Remember, with the Scout 

Talent and Refer Program (STAR), for every person 

who gets off the bus at Cape May you can receive 

$1,000. As of April this year, 58 retirees have received 

this cash bonus! I hope you all have a safe and 

enjoyable summer. 

MCPO LLOYD PIERCE: I think we should all 

thank Willis Carrier for keeping us sheltered in cool 

comfort while El Nino delivers our summertime. 

Hopefully, the storm predictions are wrong, but 

we’ll stay alert and prepared. 

Welcome aboard MCPOCG 13 Jason Vanderhaden, 

USCG (Ret.). The master chief is taking over as 

co-chair alongside RADM Austin. If you check out 

MCPOCG Vanderhaden’s bio online, you’ll see 

that he has an admirable history and will certainly 

represent us well. Welcome Master Chief! 

I’ll use my last entry to beat the drum about 

educating ourselves about retirement processes 

and administration. For example, our health care 

benefits. Once we retire, we shift to either TRICARE 

or the VA depending on our circumstances. 

Beyond getting our records and history to the VA, 

the Coast Guard has no role in retiree health care. 

I recently heard a complaint that “I’m turning 65 

Thoughts on retirement: 

"Retirement is a blank 

sheet of paper. It is a 

chance to redesign your 

life into something new 

and different." 

—Patrick Foley 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

and the Coast Guard didn’t inform me of what I 

had to do in regard to Medicare and TRICARE.” 

My response was, “Why would they?” (It’s covered 

in this publication.) The Coast Guard also has no 

control over TRICARE fees, allowances, or our pay 

and benefi t rates. 

Going a little deeper on the medical example. 

At age 65 you must enroll in Medicare part B to 

maintain TRICARE For Life. The catch here is, 

although TRICARE For Life is free—Medicare 

Part B is not free (currently $174.70 per person 

monthly). Technically, your TRICARE For Life is 

free—as long as you pay for Medicare Part B. I’ll 

leave it to everyone else to decide if it’s actually 

free. 

Please consider that OMB and Quadrennial 

Reviews consistently recommend increasing 

TRICARE fees and charging a fee for our “free” 

TRICARE For Life benefi t. Remember, that fee 

would be on top of what we pay for Part B. We 

can complain to the Coast Guard, but please refer 

back a couple paragraphs. So, what do we do? 

Say it with me now: join the Military Coalition. They have, 

so far, staved off these initiatives. These organizations 

have paid lobbyists working on our behalf. If we let 

these organizations slip or go by the way, we will lose 

our advocacy in the halls of Congress. The bigger the 

membership and cohort behind the lobbyists, the 

louder the voice, the better the chance to be 

heard. You don’t even need to say anything 

or go to meetings—just be counted as 

a member. Don’t be lulled into thinking 

benefi ts and entitlements aren’t under 

attack—they are always easy pickings 

in hard budget years. That some of our 

Military Coalition organizations are 

struggling is NOT good news. 

We (CGNRC) will stay on 

top of pay and benefi ts 

administration, but we 

need to be heard through 

another channel for pay 

and benefits protection. 

Foot stomp! It’s an election year! Can anybody 

tell me how many military veterans we have in 

Congress? Where does this put us in percentage 

of representation? A: Highest percentage ever. B: 

Lowest percentage ever. Something to think about. 

You can fi nd the answers online with your favorite 

search engine. While you’re at it, head on over to 

Coast Guard Direct Access and make sure your 

contact information is up to date and that PPC has 

a valid email address for you. The fastest way to 

get anything done is online. No phone messages, 

no licking postage stamps—no wondering if your 

mail made it to Kansas, and you never have to 

leave the comfort of your air-conditioned home or 

offi ce. 

MCPO Lloyd Pierce, USCG (Ret.): 

cgsilverancientmariner11@outlook.com 

RADM Merrie Austin, USCG (Ret.): 

maustincgnrc@gmail.com 


9

MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR 

U.S. COAST GUARD RETIREE INFORMATION 

A MESSAGE FROM 

THE DIRECTOR 

I want to extend my sincere appreciation to MCPO Lloyd Pierce, USCG (Ret.), for his 

exceptional leadership in serving as the Co-Chair for the Coast Guard National Retiree Council 

(CGNRC) for the past four years. Notably, he extended his tenure for an additional year 

and provided invaluable continuity in guiding Council priorities throughout and following 

the Covid pandemic. We will formally recognize MCPO Pierce during the upcoming 2024 

CGNRC annual meeting, which will be held at the Coast Guard Pay & Personnel Center (PPC) 

in Topeka, Kansas, August 6–7. During our annual meeting, he will be relieved by MCPOCG 

Jason Vanderhaden, USCG (Ret.), who has graciously stepped forward to join RADM Merrie 

Austin, USCG (Ret.), as CGNRC Co-Chair. Thank you to both MCPO Pierce and MCPOCG 

Vanderhaden. 

As the Commandant’s Executive Agent for the CGNRC and Director of Retiree Services, 

I’m grateful to Captain John Henry and his staff of more than 200 active duty, reserve and 

civilian employees at CG PPC for hosting this year’s Council meeting. I look forward to joining 

the CGNRC, including representatives from 18 Regional Retiree Councils, in learning more 

about PPC’s great work – managing military personnel records, administering payroll for 

all active duty, reserve, and retired members, and handling lesser-known responsibilities 

like managing the Service Wide Exam (SWE) process and advancement of all Coast Guard 

enlisted members. This meeting also offers us an important opportunity to strengthen our 

communications and partnership with PPC to address issues of importance to our retiree 

community. 

Finally, as announced in the spring 2024 issue, readers who wish to continue receiving The 

Long Blue Line by mail, beginning in January 2025, will need to “OPT-IN” to the National Coast 

Guard Museum Association mailing list (page 11). Thanks to all of you who have already made 

this election, reflecting the value of this high-quality publication and “staying connected” with 

your Coast Guard and National Coast Guard Museum. My POC for this initiative is Mr. Robert 

Hinds, CG Retiree Services, Robert.C.Hinds@uscg.mil. 

Sincerely, 

M. W. Raymond 

Assistant Commandant for Military Personnel 


THE LONG BLUE LINE


11

JUST 

"KEELING" TIME 

Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class Damian Spielmaker, 

a diver with the Coast Guard Regional Dive Locker East 

(RDLE), tightens his dive mask during a trip to New London, 

Connecticut, on April 29, 2024. Divers were inspecting Coast 

Guard Cutter Eagle in preparation for the summer training 

programs. 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Matt Thieme 


13

REUNIONS, NOTICES & 

ITEMS OF INTEREST 

USCGC WOODRUSH GROUP 

DULUTH REUNION 

LOCATION: Duluth, Minnesota 

DATE: September 13–15, 2024 

Pease contact OS1 Michael F. Zronek, USCG (Ret), 

at mzronek@aol.com for further information. 

USCGC WESTWIND (WGB 281) 

REUNION 

LOCATION: Maritime Conference Center, Linthicum 

Heights, Maryland 

DATE: September 20–22, 2024, Group Dinner on 

the 21st 

Room Rates: $169 for single, 1 queen bed, $199 double, 

2 queen beds. Each room receives a complimentary 

breakfast and dinner. 

Reservation: 1-866-900-3517 refer to code: 5925 

ALL Icebreaker Sailors Welcome! 

Further Information: Frank Roberts (910) 279-0823, 

froberts58@gmail.com 

2024 RETIREE APPRECIATION DAY (RAD) 

LOCATION: Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan 

DATE: September 21, 2024 

The event will be held in the Joint Dining Facility 

(Building 164) 43156 Wagner Drive. Sign-in starts 

at 8:00 a.m. and the program will start at 9:00 

a.m. Contact information is below. Request widest 

dissemination to support ALL military retirees. 

Selfridge Retiree Affairs Office 

P. O. Box 450045 

Selfridge ANGB, MI 48045 

586-239-5580 

selfrao@yahoo.com 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

GLACIER REUNION 

SAVE THE DATE 

LOCATION: Mystic, Connecticut 

DATE: SEPT 20–22, 2024 

Greetings all Navy and Coast Guard men and women, grey, white, and red hull sailors and aviators. Mark 

your calendars to join us for the USS/USCGC Glacier Reunion September 20–22, 2024 in Mystic, CT. 

All grey, white, and red hull icebreaker sailors are welcome to join the fun and have a great time reminiscing 

and getting to know shipmates from all icebreaker Deep Freezes (South) and Artic West/East summer/ 

winter (North) trips. 

Contact: SHARON INGRAM shingram1@live.com 

GLACIER REUNION COMMITTEE: 

Chair - Bill Davis billdavis2619@gmail.com 

VChair - Fred Nichols fredcnichols@gmail.com 

Treasurer - Tom Berstene tberstene@outlook.com 

Sharon Ingram shingram1@live.com 

Dale Thompson dale.thompson5@icloud.com 

Bert Dejong dejongpago@hotmail.com 

Fred Santesteban fcsant@outlook.com 

Bill Sheretz sheretz@waypt.com 

Bill Kelsey wkelsey@twc.com 

Tell three shipmates who you know about the reunion, and have those shipmates spread the word. We 

are hoping to get many icebreaker shipmates in attendance. 


15



2024 ALL SERVICES RETIREE SEMINAR 

A GREAT SUCCESS – THANKS TO ALL! 

The NorCal CG Retiree Council (NCCGRC) in 

partnership with Base Alameda hosted the 30th All 

Services Retiree Seminar on April 27, 2024. This 

year we hosted over 150 attendees made up of 

DOD, USCG, National Guard, and USPHS retirees, 

dependents, caregivers, and annuitants. 

We continue to receive outstanding support from 

many organizations that provide a wealth of relevant 

information to our attendees. This year we had five 

formal presentations from Health Net Federal Services 

(TRICARE West), MOAA National Financial and 

Benefits Education/Counseling/Veteran Services, 

Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office Elder 

Protection Unit, Military Legal Services, and Travis AFB 

Passenger Services (Space-A). Additionally, each 

speaker spent time at their exhibitor table answering 

one-on-one questions. 

In addition to the formal presentations, three of our 

exhibitors highlighted their programs between the 

formal presentations. The Alameda Chapter of MOAA 

highlighted California Legislative initiatives affecting 

military retiree pay and benefits. Honor Flight Bay 

Area Foundation spoke about eligibility prioritization 

and the process of allowing our veterans to see the 

memorials built in their honor. Friends and Family of 

Nisei Veterans (FFNV) provided us with an overview 

of the challenges faced by our Japanese American 

citizens during WWII who were forcibly relocated from 

their homes and businesses on the West Coast to 

include Hawaii, while many of the second-generation 

Japanese Americans either volunteered or were 

drafted into the military. Their exhibit is located aboard 

the USS Hornet Museum in Alameda, CA. 

Within the exhibitor room, we provided a continental 

breakfast and refreshments before and between 

presentations to allow our attendees time to interact 

with our 25 exhibitors. In addition to those listed above, 

our exhibitors included Disabled American Veterans 

– National Service Office Oakland, Veterans Benefits 

Administration – Oakland Regional Office, National 

Cemetery Administration – Pacific Division, Veterans 

Health Administration – Northern California, Public 

Affairs, FBI San Francisco Field Office – Community 

Outreach, Alameda County Veterans Services Office, 

Social Security Administration, American Legion Post 

647, US Navy League – Oakland, US Navy League – 

Pacific Central, Moffett Field Commissary, VFW Post 

9601, ContigoU, SeaWest CG FCU, First Command, 

and CG Legal - Pacific. 

The success of this year’s seminar is due to the 

outstanding support received from Base Alameda, 

MSST 91105, PSU 312, Sea Cadets-Hanford 

Squadron, and the Base Alameda PCPOs. Taking time 

from their already busy schedules, these Commands 

assisted with the planning, facilities, and personnel 

to support the event providing static displays, ID 

Card services for 22, the galley serving meals to over 

50 attendees as well as providing coffee and juice 

for the entire seminar and Base Security quickly 

and professionally screened over 200 attendees, 

speakers, and exhibitors providing smooth access 

to the seminar. Following the success of this year’s 

seminar, we are excited to host our 31st All Services 

Retiree Seminar in April 2025. We hope to see you 

there! 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

ANNOUNCING THE JANET BOWEN ENDOWMENT 

FOR COAST GUARD WORKFORCE AND FAMILY NEEDS (COAST GUARD FOUNDATION) 

Working with the Coast Guard Foundation I have 

established an endowment that will provide a fund 

that the current and future MCPOCG’s will be able to 

immediately access to help with CG workforce and 

family needs that require funding. The MCPOCG will 

partner with the President of the CG Foundation to 

fund such needs from the spendable amount of the 

endowment. This fund will continue in perpetuity. 

Between 2006 and 2010 as the MCPOCG, I often 

encountered workforce personnel and family needs 

that a small amount of capital might have helped with 

if immediately accessed and applied to the situation. 

To honor my wife Janet Bowen, who passed away last 

year, I have donated $50,000.00 to start the fund. I will 

continue to add to the principal in the future. During 

our time on active duty Janet served as the CG’s 

Ombudsman at Large and worked with spouses and 

families across the service. She considered military 

family members, particularly Coast Guard family 

members—her family. This endowment is in Janet’s 

memory. 

However, the larger the principal the greater the 

potential impact of this endowment. Today I am asking 

friends to consider donating to this fund. Any amount 

will help. To donate go to coastguardfoundation.org 

and click on donate. When you make your donation 

please click the entry that states make this gift in 

memory of ____ In the space provided write “Janet 

Bowen Endowment.” 

Thank you for all that you do to support the Coast 

Guard. 

—Charles “Skip” Bowen, 10th Master Chief 

Petty Officer of the Coast Guard 


17



FINEST HOURS AUTHOR – 

CALL TO COASTIES 

Author of “The Finest Hours: The True Story Behind 

the U.S. Coast Guard's Most Daring Sea Rescue” 

is seeking Coast Guard men and women involved in 

the following rescues: 

• Selendang Ayu (2004) 

• Scandies Rose (2019) 

• Terry T (1980) 

If you were involved please send an email to 

Michaeltougias@yahoo.com 

40TH YEAR CLASS REUNION 

USCG OFFICER CANDIDATE SCHOOL 4-84 

CAPT Algernon J. Keith, USCG (Ret.) 

NOW HEAR THIS, members 

of Officer Candidate School 

(OCS) class 4-84 that graduated 

and were commissioned on 

September 7, 1984, at (Reserve) 

Training Center Yorktown, VA, 

are exploring the possibility 

of holding a 40th year class 

reunion in September 2024. 

Class members interested in obtaining more 

information are encouraged to contact Jim Armstrong 

at (502) 741-1355, James_Armstrong@bellsouth. 

net, or Algernon Keith at (508) 360-7944, ajkunc93@ 

aol.com 

USCG CPOA/CGEA 

CONVENTION 

LOCATION: Seattle to Alaska 

DATE: August 23–30 

Chief Petty Officers Association/Enlisted Association Convention will be held underway! 

Seattle to Alaska - August 23–30 

As we continue to seek innovative ideas for our convention location, this one should 

be epic! Engage early as cabins book up fast. 

Learn more at: www.uscgcpoa.org/membership/convention/ 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

COAST GUARD AVIATION ASSOCIATION – 

ANCIENT ORDER OF THE PTERODACTYL 

LOCATION: Jacksonville, Florida 

DATE: October 15–18, 2024 

Greetings all current and former Coast Guard Aviation 

Aircrew (Pilots, Flight Mechanics, Rescue Swimmers, 

Basic Aircrewman, Auxiliary Aircrew). We are excited 

to announce our 2024 Roost (conference) save 

the dates in Jacksonville, Florida. This year’s Roost 

will host a special celebration of ALPAT and its 

distinguished 60+ years of service. We will also be 

celebrating the 25th anniversary of HITRON. Based 

on the great success of the 2023 Roost Professional 

Day, we will also be hosting our 2nd Career Transition 

Session. 

Contact: Tony Hahn – tony.hahn@aoptero.org 


19



GOVERNORS ISLAND 

REUNION 

SAVE THE DATE 

LOCATION: Governors Island NY 

TENTATIVE DATE: August 1-2, 2026 

Calling all Coast Guard officers, enlisted, civilians, 

Coast Guard Auxiliary personnel, and family. Mark your 

calendars to join the Coast Guard 30th Anniversary 

Commemorative Team and GI Brats for the celebration 

of 30 years since the U. S. Coast Guard departed the 

great landmark, Governors Island, a.k.a. the “Rock." 

The Coast Guard 30th Anniversary Commemorative 

Team and GI brats are seeking volunteers to serve 

on the committee. To all who have lived, played, and 

served on the island, this will be a great opportunity 

to reminisce and remember the good times. We need 

your help! 

Contacts: Leon G. Patterson, SCPO (Ret.) 

lgpatterson37@gmail.com or Susan Chaney 

gibrathomecoming@gmail.com 

COAST GUARD 

GREAT LAKES RETIREE COUNCIL 

Greetings Coast Guard Retirees! 

The Great Lakes Retiree Council (GLRC) has been 

established to serve the retirees in the Ninth District 

region. This is an expansion of the former Clevelandarea 

Retiree Council that has been dormant since 

2021. 

The Co-Chairs of the Council are Jim Bach (OSCM, 

USCG Ret.) and Lorne Thomas (CAPT, USCG Ret.). 

Jim served as the command master chief at the district 

from 2016-18 and has visited every Ninth District unit. 

After a tour as Atlantic Area’s command chief, he 

retired in 2020 with over 31 years of service. Lorne 

has spent an extensive amount of time on the Great 

Lakes and has been serving as the district’s chief of 

external affairs since retiring from active duty in 2010. 

Although the leadership will be based in Cleveland, the 

council will look to connect with Coast Guard retirees 

across the district in an effort to share news about 

the service, Ninth District operations and provide 

information about retiree and veterans benefits and 

resources. Supported by Base Cleveland, the council 

will look to add representatives from other locations 

across the region to facilitate information distribution, 

networking and social events if desired. 

The GLRC will hold in-person and virtual meetings with 

membership in support of their responsibilities and 

make recommendations and reports to the National 

Coast Guard Retiree Council at their annual meeting. 

A letter inviting retirees to join the GLRC will be sent 

later this year. The GLRC will primarily use e-mail to 

communicate with members although other social 

media platforms may be added. If you would like to be 

added to their distribution list, please send an e-mail 

to: d9glrc@gmail.com and please include your name 

and location. You may contact the Co-Chairs via this 

e-mail as well. 

CAPT Lorne W Thomas, USCG (Ret.) 

OSCM Jim Bach, USCG (Ret.) 

Co-Chairs Great Lakes Retiree Council 


THE LONG BLUE LINE


21

By: Renee Coleman, National Coast Guard Museum 

GIVE A WOMAN A FISH, 

AND YOU FEED HER FOR A DAY. 

TEACH HER HOW 

TO FISH, AND YOU 

FEED HER FOR A 

LIFETIME. 

Meet Sue Kerver. When Sue joined the Coast Guard in 

2002, never, in her wildest dreams, did she think her 

post-service career would be as fulfilling as her time 

in uniform. After a decade in service, when she made 

the personal decision to take off the uniform for the last 

time, her journey to the present involved unexpected 

twists and turns, which resulted in emotional, spiritual, 

and physical growth. In 2024, Sue is serving the 

female veteran community in the most unexpected 

and unique way—through the sport of fly fishing. 

When Sue came off active duty, fly fishing became a 

monumental part of her healing journey. During that 

journey, she joined an organization called Project 

Healing Waters, which is a national organization that 

provides local programs for veterans to heal through 

the sport of fly fishing. 

At the time, Sue was living in Charleston, South 

Carolina, and was an active member of the Charleston 

chapter. She had an incredible program lead, but 

remembers, more often than not, being the only 

female veteran. 

“That seemed to be a huge disparity,” she said. “It 

made me feel isolated. Fast forward to 2020, and I had 

the opportunity to use my Montgomery GI Bill, and I 

went to guide school in Montana. I didn’t go to guide 

school to become a guide. Honestly, I went to guide 

school to become a better angler.” 

Off to Montana she went to spend a week on the water 

with an all-female group learning to row boats, fish, 

and guide. It was an empowering experience. 

“What I realized that week was we as a community of 

women came together, and we were able to succeed 

together, and we were able to fail together without 

judgement,” Sue said. “I was able to take that and 

translate it to other areas of my life.” 

Sue returned to Charleston after guide school and 

took a sabbatical from work realizing that, mentally 

and emotionally, she had some hard work to do. 

Sue packed her bags and headed to Austin, Texas, 

where she sought much needed help to work through 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

I didn’t go to guide school to become 

a guide. Honestly, I went to guide 

school to become a better angler. 


23

past trauma. During the four months in Austin, the one 

constant that remained was fly fishing. 

“I went fly fishing, usually by myself, every 

day up in the Hill Country,” Sue said. 

“I took the time I needed to heal, and I 

want to point out that as women, we don’t 

always lean into our own self-care and put 

ourselves first. I realized I needed to do 

that to create a solid foundation for the 

next part of my life.” 

Along her healing journey, there was 

a small voice pulling her away from 

the familiarity of coastal life and 

toward the mountains. As fate would 

have it, Sue found a job in Montana 

with U.S. Fish and Wildlife. Once she 

settled in Montana, Sue found the 

Bozeman chapter of Project Healing 

Waters and resumed fly fishing when an 

opportunity presented itself. 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

“I got an email for a call for guest speakers at an 

outdoor-based conference,” she said. “I was 

intrigued, so I put together a proposal that focused 

on women and their journey to healing and how the 

outdoors can assist with that.” 

Included in that proposal was a pre-established 

business plan for an idea she dreamed up while in 

Charleston. The business, Two Gals and a Boat, was 

originally intended to teach women how to pilot and 

trailer boats. She regrouped and tweaked the plan 

to fit her true calling, which was to educate women 

about the sport of fly fishing. 

“I spoke at the conference, and someone signed 

up for the class,” Sue said. “That made me realize 

there was in fact a need for this. I had some media 

contacts in the area, so I reached out to a local 

television reporter, and I took him out on the river 

with me one morning and very quickly taught him 

how to cast. The story ran on the news, and things 

just took off from there.” 

I was intrigued, so I put 

together a proposal that 

focused on women and 

their journey to healing and 

how the outdoors can assist 

with that. 

While Sue was busy teaching fly fishing, she 

remained an active member of the Bozeman chapter 

of Project Healing Waters. In April 2023, Sue was 

invited to fish near Missoula, Montana. During the 

weekend-long excursion, she had the opportunity 

to converse with John Langford, the chief 

executive officer of Project Healing Waters. 

What started as a conversation about Sue’s 

experience as a female angler led to what 

APPROACH TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IN THE 

NATIONAL COAST GUARD MUSEUM 

Behavioral health in the Coast Guard will be 

highlighted throughout the museum, specifically 

following the 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina exhibit 

spaces on deck two. Visitors will exit these 

spaces onto a fl ight deck that will pay homage 

to Coast Guard lifesavers. 

“The left-hand side of the room will feature notable 

Coast Guard search-and-rescue stories and 

lifesaving stories,” said Kyle Bernard, director of 

exhibits and programs. “The right bulkhead will 

feature a different type of lifesaver: behavioral health 

and sexual assault prevention professionals. This 

is the area where we highlight how Coasties have 

taken care of Coasties over the life of the service.” 

Lt. Cmdr. Mary Vance, director, behavioral health, 

Pacific Area, and doctor of psychiatry, advocates 

that in order for the Coast Guard story to be told, it 

must include conversations about behavioral health. 

“Military service takes a mental toll on people, and 

it historically has been overlooked by society and 

military services,” Dr. Vance said. “Mental health is 

health. How do we tell stories about the health of our 

service and service members without talking about 

behavioral health?” 

If you are a Coast Guard service member who is in 

crisis or know someone who is in crisis, the following 

resources are available: 

• Local Chaplains www.uscg.mil/chaplain/ 

locations 1-202-372-4900 

• Local Work-Life Offices 202-475-5100 

• https://www.mycg.uscg.mil/Resources/ 

Article/2485426/crisis-support/ 

• CG SUPRT www.cgsuprt.com 1-855-247-8778 

/ 855-CG SUPRT 

If you are a veteran in crisis or know of someone who 

is, there are resources available to you. 

• Contact the Suicide Crisis Hotline by dialing 988 

and pressing option 1, or text 838255 

• Sexual Assault SAFE Hotline at 877-995-5247 or 

safehelpline.org 

• Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE 

(7233) or the hotline.org 

• https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/ 

THE LONG BLUE LINE 


25

Sue considers the opportunity of a lifetime. She was 

invited to be part of a steering committee to create a 

national level women’s program for Project Healing 

Waters. The name of the program: Women on the Fly. 

Women on the Fly is in the early stages of 

development, with the steering committee meeting 

regularly to collect data points as the vision becomes 

a reality. During the summer of 2024, we expect to 

see more movement as the steering committee takes 

the next steps of creating its mission and vision 

statements. 

“What I would like to see out of all of this is a 

community of support,” Sue said. “I would like to 

see an empowered, enthusiastic, compassionate 

community of women who are foundationally there 

for one another, and I think fly fishing is the perfect 

venue for that.” 

Sue’s road to healing had twists, turns, and bumps, 

but there’s not a single thing she would change. 

“I came out of my Coast Guard career with PTSD, 

anxiety, and depression, and I bottled it all up. When 

I broke, I broke in a big way, but I would not give up 

my Coast Guard experience for the world,” she said. 

“I would say that the Coast Guard, foundationally, set 

me up for success in a way that I never could have 

imagined, and I am forever grateful for my time and 

experience in the service, hands down.” 

If you’re a veteran and you’d like to learn 

more about Project Healing Waters, 

visit www.projecthealingwaters.org. 

Project Healing Waters is a leading 

non-profit organization in the area 

of therapeutic outdoor recreation, 

using the sport of fly fishing as an 

intervention. Project Healing Waters 

helps active military service personnel 

and veterans in need through a 

dedicated, developed curriculum of fly 

fishing, fly casting, fly tying, and fly rod 

building. 


THE LONG BLUE LINE


27

SEPTEMBER 

By Neil E. Hurley, Commander, USCG Retired 

Reprinted courtesy Lighthouse Digest Magazine 

KEEPER 

OVERBOARD 

It was Tuesday, September 13, 1966. Storm warnings 

were posted all along the Southern California coast. 

The wind was blowing briskly and heavy swells were 

forecast. 

At San Pedro, Los Angeles’ seaport, the crashing 

waves were already spilling over the two-and-a-halfmile 

breakwater that led to the famous Los Angeles 

Harbor Lighthouse. 

Past storms had often flooded the paint and storage 

building farther out on the breakwater. If they felt 

it was necessary, the routine procedure was for 

the three-man Coast Guard crew to move most 

everything off the fl oor onto shelves or tables to 

prevent water damage. However, on this particular 

day, the three Coasties assigned to the lighthouse: 

Engineman Third Class Kent Knierim, Seaman David 

Aikens, and Seaman Apprentice Richard “Mike” 

Miles, were more interested in going outside to view 

the wave action being churned up by Mother Nature. 

David Aikens recalled putting on some waders to 

keep his feet and legs dry. Unbeknownst to him 

at the time, those waders would soon almost cost 

him his life. All the men donned rain gear. The three 

men went outside and were accompanied by the 

station’s mascot, a German Shepard dog named 

King, and they headed toward the paint locker 

storage building, which was about 75 feet from the 

lighthouse. 

It was about 9 p.m. and pitch dark out, and after 

checking things out, Kent Knierim and David Aikens 

Los Angeles Harbor Light (Angels Gate), San Pedro, Los 

Angeles, California - photo by Steven Hedin (creative 

commons) 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

1966 

LOS ANGELES HARBOR LIGHT 


29

With the dog running right beside him, the fast-moving 

wave struck David with such a tremendous force that he 

was thrown head over heels into one of the three steel 

cable lifelines on the breakwater. 

headed back toward the lighthouse. Mike Miles 

decided he was going to go for a smoke and used 

the storage building as a wind breaker to light up. 

Kent and David had almost reached the lighthouse 

when Kent suddenly screamed “Look at this wave 

coming!” As he turned around, David recalled seeing 

what he estimated was a 16 to 18-foot-high wall of 

water that sounded like a roaring freight train headed 

directly toward them over the top of the breakwater. 

All that the three of them could see was water. 

Kent and David started to run for the lighthouse, but 

there was really no time to react. The boots David 

was wearing slowed him down. With the dog running 

right beside him, the fast-moving wave struck David 

with such a tremendous force that he was thrown 

head over heels into one of the three steel cable 

lifelines on the breakwater. Momentarily, but with 

great force, the cable rubbed up his chest to his 

throat, and then the wave tossed him like a rock into 

the harbor. 

Seaman David Aikens was completely knocked 

unconscious. As his limp body sank in the water 

about 20 feet from the breakwater, he recalled that 

in those few seconds he saw his life flash before him 

and he saw his parents in that flash of light, all while 

in a state of unconsciousness. 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

Left: Shown here at the Los Angeles Harbor Lighthouse 

are (L-R) Richard Travino, seaman; Kent Knierim, engineer; 

and Fred G. Smith, seaman; along with King, the German 

Sheppard dog who got washed overboard at the Los 

Angeles Harbor Lighthouse. (Courtesy Los Angeles 

Maritime Museum, gift of Darryl Smalley, Lighthouse Digest 

archives) 

Below: Kent Knierim is shown here being awarded the 

Coast Guard Commendation Medal for his part in the 

rescue of fellow lighthouse keeper David Aikens in 1966. 

His commendation read in part, “Petty Officer Knierim 

immediately jumped into the water, successfully reached 

the man who was struggling in the current, and kept him 

afloat in the nine-to-twelve-foot swells until a Coast Guard 

boat arrived and pulled both men to safety.” (Courtesy 

Knierim Family Collection, Lighthouse Digest 

archives) 

It took just a moment for the two men to spring into 

action. They briefl y saw David struggling in the 

water, but then they lost sight of him. Mike ran for 

a flashlight and two life jackets. Kent then grabbed 

one of the life jackets and threw it into the water. He 

had no idea where David was, but he believed that 

he was throwing the life jacket in the right direction. 

All that David could recall later was that when he 

surfaced, he saw the life jacket fl oating directly 

in front of him and grabbed it. In a state of near 

unconsciousness, he held onto the life preserver for 

dear life as the waves tossed him about. 

Kent knew that David was in trouble and could see 

that he was struggling. He quickly made the decision 

to help. He timed his jump into the crest of a wave 

He recalled that he felt like he was floating on 

a cloud. He thought he was dead when he 

heard a voice, perhaps the voice of an angel, 

coming from the end of a ray of light. The 

voice told him that it was not his time and that 

he should go back. At that point, for some 

unknown reason, as he was again being 

sucked down under the water, he slipped 

out of unconsciousness and, even though he 

was completely and totally exhausted and in 

shock, he was somehow able to remove his 

rubber boots and rain gear, and his body 

miraculously shot to the surface. 

While all of this was happening, Engineman 

Third Class Kent Knierim had lunged for the 

lifelines and had almost made it before the 

wave hit. He was slammed headfirst into a 

steel lifeline post, but, fortunately, he was 

wearing a steel hardhat as a rain cover. 

Although he was swept through the lifelines, 

he was able to hold onto one of the posts 

dangling just above the rocks 10 feet below. 

Seaman Apprentice Richard “Mike” Miles, 

who had been on the lee side of the paint locker, 

had been somewhat shielded from the force of the 

wave. After the wave passed, his first thought was 

that everyone else had been washed over, but as 

the water receded, he saw Kent’s hand clutching 

the post. After desperately helping him back onto 

the breakwater, Mike told Kent that David and King 

were gone; they had been washed overboard. 

He was slammed headfirst into a 

steel lifeline post, but, fortunately, 

he was wearing a steel hardhat as 

a rain cover. 


31

at a time when the rocks would be briefl y covered 

by water. Then, guided by Mike’s shouts and the 

beam from the fl ashlight, he swam over to David, 

who was on the surface, but David was stunned and 

unable to maneuver himself. His arms and shoulders 

wouldn’t move, and he could barely hold onto the 

lifejacket. Kent tried to help him into the life jacket, a 

task that proved impossible. Kent then tried to drag 

him back toward the breakwater, but the current was 

too strong, and the two men were now being swept 

out toward the open sea. 

Back at the lighthouse Mike had telephoned the 

nearby Coast Guard station at Terminal Island with 

The Coast Guard station’s 40-foot 

rescue boat had just completed a 

20-minute warm up period and was 

able to leave immediately. It was 

learned later that the coxswain of 

the vessel had a “gut feeling” that 

they were going to be needed for 

some type of rescue and kept the 

crew at “ready condition.” 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

Left: Los Angeles Lighthouse in 1966 with the L.A. skyline 

in the distance. (Lighthouse Digest archives) 

Right: David E. Aikens, shown here on the left, was the 

Coast Guard keeper washed overboard at the Los Angeles 

Harbor Lighthouse in September 13, 1966. He is shown 

here in 1966 with Coastguardsman Raymond A. Wlascinski 

at the Los Angeles Harbor Lighthouse with a harbor seal 

named Charlie who took up residence at the lighthouse and 

became one of the station’s mascots. “He made his way 

up on the rocks and moved right into our engine room,” 

recalled Wlascinski. “He really enjoys curling up in front 

of the warm radiators there.” (Lighthouse Digest archives) 

the report, “Two men overboard at Los Angeles 

Light, hurry.” After receiving an acknowledgement, 

he went back outside with his fl ashlight to try and 

track the two men in the water. 

The Coast Guard station’s 40-foot rescue boat had 

just completed a 20-minute warm up period and 

was able to leave immediately. It was learned later 

that the coxswain of the vessel had a “gut feeling” 

that they were going to be needed for some type 

of rescue and kept the crew at “ready condition.” 

Maybe, just maybe, an angel was also sending 

him a subconscious message that he and his crew 

needed to be ready to save some lives. 

After about a 10-minute high-speed trip to the 

lighthouse, guided first by the light of the lighthouse 

and then by Mike’s fl ashlight, the rescue boat 

spotted the men clinging for life in the roaring seas. 

David later recalled seeing the rescue boat 

approaching them at what looked like a fast rate 

of speed, and he thought to himself that maybe he 

had survived so far only to be run over and killed by 

the boat. But suddenly, thanks to the beam of light 

from Mike’s flashlight, the crew of the 40-foot rescue 

boat spotted the men and came to an immediate 

stop. A lifeline was thrown, and soon the two men 

were hauled up and on board the vessel. 


33

Although David didn’t remember it, both he and Kent 

reportedly had asked the crew of the rescue boat to 

search for their mascot. But, with David complaining 

of chest pains, that was the furthest thing on the mind 

of the boat’s captain. He headed the vessel directly 

back to their base. 

Both lighthouse keepers were suffering from 

hypothermia. On board, both men were wrapped 

in blankets as they were transported to land. Once 

ashore, they were thrown in the back seat of the 

Coast Guard base’s station wagon and taken to the 

base clinic. After drying them off, it was decided to 

transport the two men to the Long Beach Naval Base 

and then to a nearby U.S. Navy hospital ship. 

David was unconscious during most of that 

trip. When he woke, he was covered in hot 

packs and blankets, but he couldn’t move 

and feared for the worst. 

Back at the lighthouse, Mike had witnessed 

the rescue and watched the boat race towards 

shore. After an agonizing wait, a report came 

back that both men were expected to recover. 

It would be several days before weather 

conditions would allow a replacement crew 

to be sent out to the lighthouse, so Mike 

was all alone at the station. As Mike recalled 

some 18-years later, that night, above the 

pounding of the worsening storm, Mike heard 

a faint scratching at the lighthouse door. It 

was King, the station mascot, dripping wet, 

with his tail tightly between his legs and his 

body shaking with fright. The dog scooted past 

Mike and went to the deepest and darkest recess of 

the nearest closet. He stayed there all the next day, 

continuing to quiver with fear. At the time, it was 

unclear what adventures King had experienced, 

but it was believed that he was washed out to sea, 

and the storm waves washed him back onto the 

breakwater. Another later account reported that 

an 82-foot Coast Guard cutter had spotted King 

and plucked him from the water. But if that was the 

case, how the dog got back on the breakwater and 

to the lighthouse is unknown. 

David was hospitalized for several days. When his 

chest had hit the cable lifeline and moved up to his 

throat, it had literally rubbed the skin off his chest 

and his throat was extremely sore. Long afterward, 

David continues to suffer from throat problems. 

Kent was treated for minor injuries and released. 

Both men had also been treated for hypothermia. 

Kent Knierim later received a Commendation 

Medal for his heroic rescue, and Richard Miles was 

awarded a Letter of Commendation for his action in 

the rescue. 

Sometime later, David Aikens was in a restaurant 

when some other Coasties walked in. One of them 

said, “Hey, don’t I recognize you?” It turned out that 

they were on the 40-foot Coast Guard rescue boat 

that hauled Kent and him out of the water. They 

told David that he had been mighty close to death. 

Although he didn’t remember it, they said that he 

had thrown up nearly an entire bucket of seawater. 

As Mike recalled some 18-years 

later, that night, above the 

pounding of the worsening storm, 

Mike heard a faint scratching at 

the lighthouse door. It was King, 

the station mascot, dripping wet, 

with his tail tightly between his 

legs and his body shaking with 

fright. 

Kent Knierim and David Aikens became close 

friends and chummed around together, but they 

never talked about that night. And, many others who 

knew Kent, never heard him talking about the night 

that he risked his life to save a fellow Coast Guard 

lighthouse keeper. Kent was a humble man. 

In the early 1990s, while I was serving in the Coast 

Guard in Long Beach, California, I mentioned to an 

acquaintance that I had found this really interesting 

account in Coast Guard records about the keepers 

of Los Angeles Harbor Lighthouse being washed 

overboard. Imagine my surprise when my fellow 

Coastie, Lieutenant “Mike” Miles, said, “I know all 

about it. I was there!” I hadn’t made the connection 

that “Richard Miles” was the “Mike Miles” I had 

befriended. He filled gaps in the official account with 

the story of his stopping to light a cigarette and the 

return of the dog, King. 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

Get Your 

NATIONAL COAST GUARD MUSEUM ASSOCIATION 

2024 CHALLENGE COIN 

Today! 

JOIN. 

UPGRADE. 

SUPPORT. 

Honor the 210’ Reliance-Class cutters, a venerable platform 

for the modern U.S. Coast Guard’s fleet, which is celebrating 

60 years of service. To get your coin, become a plankowner or 

upgrade your current plankowner gift ($5 per month minimum) 

before September 30, 2024. For more information, please visit: 

www.cgmuseumassociation.org/plankowner 

donate@coastguardmuseum.org www.cgmuseumassociation.org/plankowner 

860-443-4200 


35

By MCPO Jeff Creighton, USCG (Ret.) 

Communications Assistant & Military Family Liaison 

GIVING BACK 

AND PAYING 

IT FORWARD 

The Incredible 

Philanthropy Network of 

the U.S. Coast Guard 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

FROM ENLISTMENT UNTIL WELL AFTER RETIREMENT, 

WE ARE THERE FOR OUR MEMBERS. WE KNOW OUR 

WORK STRENGTHENS THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. 

For many retirees, life after serving is 

a time to reflect on the tremendous 

opportunities afforded to us, the impact 

the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has 

had on our careers and our families, 

and the incredible camaraderie and 

friendships made along the way. While 

retirement is a wonderful time to pursue 

other interests, it often affords us time 

to give back to the Coast Guard in new 

and different ways, providing an opportunity to pay it 

forward for our young recruits, cadets, their families, 

and ultimately for our Nation. 

Together, we are able to support those still standing 

the watch today. 

With a long and proud history spanning more 

than two centuries, the Coast Guard is bolstered 

and supported by a network of philanthropic 

organizations. In varying sizes and structures, 

these organizations not only provide much needed 

assistance to our Coast Guard community, but also 

provide important engagement opportunities for our 

retirees, volunteers, and families. From volunteering 

in the Auxiliary to providing financial support for 

Coast Guard families in times of need, our Coast 

Guard philanthropic network is vital to the success 

of our beloved Service. 

Together this network of philanthropic organizations 

not only allows donors and volunteers to have a 

voice in the Service, identifying priorities to fund, 

issues to support, and legislation to endorse, but 

also makes a real difference for our shipmates 

throughout the entire Service. 

With far too many groups and organizations to 

enumerate, here are six major organizations that 

provide complementary, integrated financial 

support, and thousands of volunteer hours on behalf 

of the Coast Guard: the Coast Guard Foundation; 

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, Coast Guard 

Auxiliary Association, the United States Coast 

Guard Academy Alumni Association, the Chief Petty 

Officer Association, and the National Coast Guard 

Museum Association. These distinct, nonprofit 

organizations exist solely in support of the Coast 

Guard community, and collectively they have a 

profound impact. 

THE COAST GUARD FOUNDATION 

Founded in 1969, the Coast Guard Foundation 

(CGF) is a vital partner to the USCG. The Foundation 

supports Coast Guard members when they’re most 

in need by providing aid to families of members 

who die in the line of duty, college scholarships for 

children of these fallen heroes, emergency relief, 

morale and wellness initiatives, and much more. 

Since its creation, the Foundation has provided 

more than $105 million in direct support to the Coast 

Guard and its members. 


37

From disaster and tragedy relief to comprehensive 

support for Coast Guard families to state-of-the-art 

wellness equipment and resilience programs, CGF 

impact is relevant, substantial, and a backbone of 

the Service. This impact includes more than 18,700 

grants to support college tuition and professional 

training for members and another 3,900 grants 

for their children and spouses. It also includes 

hundreds of unit projects each year, including 

providing the crew of every new Coast Guard vessel 

with $5,000 to establish their morale, wellness, and 

recreation fund. 

Coast Guard Foundation President Susan Ludwig 

explains, “From enlistment until well after retirement, 

we are there for our members. We know our work 

strengthens the entire community. Through close 

collaboration with USCG leadership we can 

respond to emerging needs, supporting families, 

bolstering moral, and supporting the mission and 

vision of our Service.” 

COAST GUARD MUTUAL 

ASSISTANCE 

The designated relief society of the Coast Guard, 

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) prides 

itself on being established and operated by Coast 

Guard people for Coast Guard people. Marking 

100 years of service in 2024, the CGMA provides a 

vital financial safety net, promotes financial stability 

and general wellbeing, supports education, and 

provides assistance to families during disasters, 

emergencies, and times of need. 

RADM Cari B. Thomas, CAE, USCG (Ret.), CEO of 

the CGMA adds, “We provide interest-free loans, 

grants, counseling, referrals, and other help. Our 

assistance programs focus on situations requiring 

immediate attention for essentials and solving 

temporary problems. With more than a century of 

service, we live by the motto: Helping Our Own!” 

The CGMA is set up with local representatives 

throughout the U.S., ready to provide support in their 

OUR ASSISTANCE 

PROGRAMS FOCUS ON 

SITUATIONS REQUIRING 

IMMEDIATE ATTENTION 

FOR ESSENTIALS AND 

SOLVING TEMPORARY 

PROBLEMS. WITH MORE 

THAN A CENTURY OF 

SERVICE, WE LIVE BY THE 

MOTTO: HELPING OUR 

OWN! 

communities. The organization remains committed 

to provide support in emergencies through efficient 

programs and processes. In fact, Active Duty, 

Reserve, Auxiliary, and civilian employees can 

use the Quick Loan process for loans of $1,500 or 

less, as an example of easy access to immediate 

support. Retirees and their families are clients who 

can access services at any time. 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS 

ASSOCIATION 

The United States Coast Guard Chief Petty 

Officers Association (CPOA) is unique among 

service organizations in that it was created by 

the Chiefs, of the Chiefs, and for the Chiefs of 

the United States Coast Guard. Expanding its 

reach, the CPOA also has an active affiliation 

with, and sponsorship of, the Coast Guard 

Enlisted Association (CGEA) for Coast Guard 

members E-6 and below. 

From an annual convention to gather active 

members to disaster relief programs and 

support, the CPOA is a vibrant organization 

with more than 12,000 members who proudly 

served in the Coast Guard: active duty and 

reserve members, veterans, their families, and 

their communities. Through a strong and united 

network, they strive to advance the interests of 

their membership through community service, 

scholarships, fundraising, and by partnering 

with military and veterans’ organizations, both 

locally and nationally to enhance member 

benefits. 

Chartered on April 7, 1969, The CPOA was 

formed to advance the interests of their 

shipmates, encourage integrity and fidelity 

within the service, and fellowship within their 

ranks. In 1991, the CGEA was chartered by and 

for junior enlisted personnel, under the auspices 

of the CPOA, reinforcing the association’s motto 

“In respect for those who have gone before us, 

and as a guide for those who follow.” 

As non-partisan and not-for-profit organizations, 

both serve as advocates on a variety of Military 

and Veterans issues. Representing members on 

Capitol Hill as a partner of the Military Coalition, 


39

the association promotes legislation to enhance 

the lives of past, present, and future members 

of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. 

“Our valued members are the lifeblood of our 

Association, and our success depends on 

leadership at the National, Chapter and Branch 

levels, and on the generosity of our sponsors 

and partners,” states BMCS Jon Ostrowski, 

National President of CPOA. 

THE USCG AUXILIARY 

The Coast Guard Auxiliary Association is 

dedicated to supporting and enhancing the 

capability of the nearly 20,000 members of 

the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, the 

uniformed volunteer force of the United States 

Coast Guard. 

Established in 1939 by Congress, the Auxiliary 

promotes and improves recreational boating 

safety, provides trained crews and facilities 

to augment Coast Guard's operational and 

administrative requirements, and enhances 

the safety and security of ports, waterways, and 

coastal regions. As a force multiplier, Auxiliary 

member volunteers contribute nearly 4 million 

hours annually and operate 925 vessels, 108 

aircraft, and 544 radio facilities to support the 

mission of the Coast Guard. 

Dale Fajardo, President & CEO, explains, “the 

Coast Guard Auxiliary Association strengthens 

the Auxiliary by securing resources and 

ensuring effective support for the Coast Guard's 

mission through an unwavering commitment 

to ensure the Auxiliary stands as a beacon of 

volunteerism and patriotism, exemplifying the 

true spirit of service to our nation. 

U.S. COAST GUARD ACADEMY 

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 

From its founding in 1887, the U.S. Coast Guard 

Academy Alumni Association (USCGAAA) has 

always been steadfast in its support of the needs 

of the Academy’s alumni, and the institution that 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

connects them. The USCGAAA also raises funds 

to provide “margins of excellence" support to the 

Corps of Cadets, the Academy, and the Coast 

Guard. Over the last 10 years, they have given 

back more than $52,000,000 to the Academy 

to enhance the cadet experience. Alumni also 

give back their time and talent - last year alone, 

the Association logged more than 1,500 active 

volunteers who contributed more than 31,000 

hours of support. The USCGAAA also form the 

administrative backbone of the USCG Women’s 

Leadership Initiative, an official USCG affinity 

group, while also supporting other USCG affinity 

groups such as the USCGA Parents Association 

and the Eclipse Legacy Coalition. 

As a member-based organization, they host 

community-building events and programs in New 

London and beyond and work to actively engage 

with Academy cadets, parents, and friends. They 

support their members with benefits like the bimonthly 

publication of The Bulletin, continuously 

published since 1939, and a growing career 

services program that includes the new Bears 

Supporting Bears Network to help alumni 

succeed in their careers within and outside of 

the Coast Guard. 

Located on the grounds of the Academy, the 

Alumni Association directly supports programs 

and facilities to increase the Coast Guard 

Academy’s overall cadet experience as well 

as those that elevate the Academy’s national 

reputation. Most recently, and perhaps most 

transformational to the Academy’s campus and 

programming, the USCGAAA privately funded 

and built the $25M Maritime Center of Excellence 

and gifted it to the Coast Guard. This is an iconic 

representation of private philanthropic leadership 

in support of the vision and mission of the U.S. 

Coast Guard. Randall J. Hogan ’77, Chair of the 

MCOE Capital Campaign remarks, “the Maritime 

Center of Excellence meets a broad range of 

educational, recruitment, outreach, and waterfront 

operational needs, serving as the centerpiece for 

the Coast Guard Academy waterfront.” 


41

faces, and understand how the Service meets 

the challenges of today and prepares for those of 

tomorrow. 

NATIONAL COAST GUARD MUSEUM 

ASSOCIATION 

When Congress authorized the creation of the 

National Coast Guard Museum (NCGMA), it came 

with the legal stipulation that no Coast Guard funds 

could be used to construct the building. From there, 

NCGMA, a 501c(3) nonprofit organization, was 

created with the unique mission to raise the funds 

and construct the Museum building. The NCGMA 

launched a $150 million capital campaign, of which 

$50 million is privately funded from generous 

donors and organizations. As the Coast Guard has 

requested that the Museum be open to the public 

in 2026, we are on final approach to secure these 

funds and construct this Museum. 

And while it will honor those who have served 

and inspire future generations, the Museum will 

also serve as a home for the entire Coast Guard 

workforce. Providing opportunities to share stories, 

honor our collective history, and bring our families 

together, the Museum is more than a building. It 

will be the heart and soul of the Service for years 

to come. It is with this mission and vision that the 

NCGMA raises funds to build and support the 

Museum on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard. 

CAPT Mark Walsh, USCG, (Ret.), Chief Operating 

Officer of the NCGMA adds, “We are truly all so 

fortunate to be affiliated with a Service that surrounds 

itself with incredible philanthropic networks. For me, 

every gift matters, every donor matters, and together 

we are all giving back, and paying it forward, for the 

Service that has impacted our lives.” 

The Museum will engage visitors and provide 

them with the opportunity to learn about the Coast 

Guard’s rich, 233-year history. The Museum will 

engage and educate the public on the impact of 

FOR ME, EVERY GIFT 

MATTERS, EVERY DONOR 

MATTERS ... 

the Service through interactive and immersive 

experiences and state-of-the-art exhibits including 

more than 600 artifacts and 5,000 images. Through 

a dedicated STEM Lab, special events, leadership 

programming, and virtual exhibits, the Museum 

will allow visitors to solve real-world problems, 

appreciate the maritime challenges that our Nation 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

PHILANTHROPIC IMPACT 

Retired Admiral Steven D. Poulin, former Vice 

Commandant, executed the Commandant’s Strategic 

Intent, managed internal organizational governance, 

and served as the Component Acquisition Executive. 

Overseeing the Philanthropy Council, he noted, 

“Our Service culture is defined by our Core 

Values of Honor, Respect, and Devotion to 

Duty, which guide our actions in the Service 

and beyond. That is why we are fortunate to be 

surrounded by a robust philanthropic network of 

organizations that support our most vulnerable 

community members in an emergency, innovate 

and create new facilities and programs aligned 

with strategic leadership priorities, and ensure the 

wellbeing and inclusion of our entire workforce 

through engagement opportunities. Together, 

with these organizations, volunteers and donors, 

we preserve and celebrate our Service’s rich 

history and heritage and remain poised to serve 

our Nation. Semper Paratus.” 


43

PORTRAITS OF SERVICE 

There are thousands of untold stories that are not in the history books. The Long Blue Line is 

a fantastic platform to share your personal journeys from the diverse mission sets of the Coast 

Guard. 

We are excited to provide a place where readers can share their Coast Guard story. We’ve 

made it easy for you with a simple questionnaire at longblueline.org 

TELL YOUR STORY! 

CAPT Robert Williams, USCG (Ret.) 

Davenport, Texas 

With nearly 30 years of active duty, Captain 

Robert Williams dedicated his life to one of 

service, lifelong learning, and helping others 

in their time of need. 

Williams was born in Graham, Texas, followed by 

a move to Chicago, Illinois, where he graduated 

high school. In 1954, he attended the Coast Guard 

Academy, joining the members of Bravo Company 

where he was appointed company commander 

prior to graduating in 1958. He first served as 

a gunnery and anti-submarine warfare officer on 

the USCGC Mendota (WHEC 69), which was then 

homeported in Wilmington, North Carolina. From 

there he attended Naval Air Training command 

in Pensacola, Florida. After graduating in 1961, 

he was given orders to Air Station Miami, where 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

he completed more than 1,000 hours of flying 

fixed-wing aircraft in support of Cuban missile 

crisis operations and provided aerial protection 

for rescue crews managing refugees fleeing the 

country on makeshift floats. At this time, Williams 

returned to the Naval Training Center to also 

become a helicopter pilot. 

Throughout his Coast Guard career, Captain 

Williams handled assignments as an operational 

search and rescue ready pilot at air stations 

Brooklyn, New Orleans, and Arcata. He also 

served a tour as liaison officer and a test pilot 

at Fort Rucker, Alabama, where he received the 

designation of senior army aviator. 

When assigned to Air Station Brooklyn, then 

Lieutenant Williams was involved in two 

courageous rescues as a pilot of a Sikorsky 

“Seaguard” HH-52A helicopter during extreme 

conditions—resulting in him being awarded the 

Air Medal for both cases—all within a three-day 

period. 

The first flight occurred on November 26, 1964, 

and involved an emergency evacuation of an 

injured passenger aboard the liner SS Shalom. 

The SS Shalom collided with the Norwegian 

tanker SS Stolt Dagali about 40 miles south of 

New York City. Taking off from Brooklyn in dense 

fog, Williams utilized his automatic direction finder 

and other instruments to locate the SS Shalom. 

Upon arrival, he quickly assessed the situation. 

He positioned the helicopter over the stern of 

the ship to execute a speedy hoist of a severely 

injured woman and transported her to an area 

hospital. 

Only two days later, Williams was again involved 

with an emergency evacuation. This time it 

was an injured seaman from the motor vessel 

Resolute about 50 miles south of New York. He 

was advised that the seaman had broken both 

arms and feet and was unconscious. Williams 

performed an instrument takeoff from the air 

station. He proceeded at night in the rain utilizing 

his automatic direction finder. With the assistance 

of another Coast Guard aircraft orbiting the 

scene, he was soon able to locate the Resolute. 

Despite the vessel’s stern to the wind, making 

the hoist that much more hazardous, and the lack 

of radio communications, Williams successfully 

positioned the aircraft over one of the cargo 

hatches amidship while the aircrew conducted 

an expeditious night hoist of the injured seaman. 

Williams transported the patient to awaiting 

medical authorities on shore. 

Both rescues underscored his expert airmanship, 

initiative, skill, courage, sound judgment, and 

unwavering devotion to duty throughout each 

mission. 

After his time serving with the Army at Fort 

Rucker, he received orders to New Orleans where 

he served as a ready pilot and executive officer. 

Later, he served as the first commander/captain 

of the Port of Group Humboldt Bay, California, 

which also included duties as the commanding 

officer of Air Station Arcata in June of 1977. This 

proved to be a unique assignment for an aviator 

as his responsibilities included not only the air 

station, but also station Humboldt Bay, with two 

44-foot self-righting motor lifeboats, two 25-foot 

rescue boats, and the 95-foot patrol boat Cape 

Carter homeported just up the coast in Crescent 

City, California. 

With ever broadening experiences, Williams 

continued to expand his training. Having attended 

aviation safety classes and Aircraft Accident 

Investigation training, he graduated from the 

University of Southern California with a master’s 

degree in aerospace operations management 

and assumed his final set of orders to the National 

Highway Transportation Safety Administration in 

Washington, D.C. He retired from active duty in 

1982. 

Upon his return to civilian status, Williams earned 

a Doctor of Ministry. He established a new church 

in 2007—the Grace Fellowship Evangelical Free 

Church, located in North Stonington, Connecticut. 

From rescue missions to leading a group of 

parishioners, Captain Williams has dedicated his 

life and career to serving others. Captain Williams 

is married with four adult children. Williams and 

his wife retired in 2012 to their current residence 

of Davenport, Florida, where they both enjoy 

playing golf. 


45

BMC David Michael Ramsey, USCG (Ret.) 

Corpus Christi, Texas 

Always Ready, at times, can be simply spoken 

as words of encouragement to bolster hearts, 

minds, and spirits of the crew. However, there are 

also those times during a service member’s career 

that truly test their Semper Paratus—their limits of 

training and preparedness. 

Boatswain’s Mate Chief David Ramsey was born 

in La Center, Washington. He enlisted in the Coast 

Guard in 1997, graduated with Hotel 153, and 

became both a certified coxswain and Surfman 

#374. For Ramsey, being prepared to work in 

unimaginable conditions, to save lives in emergency 

situations, is what he and his crews trained for, 

and they remained Always Ready. Chief Ramsey’s 

achievements throughout his Coast Guard career 

recognized him not only for his heroic actions as 

a seasoned coxswain but also as a proven leader. 

Two notable incidents in Chief Ramsey’s career 

highlight his devotion to duty and incredible skill and 

tenacity to save lives. Ramsey earned the highly 

coveted Association for Rescue at Sea Gold Medal, 

which is bestowed upon “… an enlisted member of 

the USCG who made a heroic rescue during the 

previous calendar year … the criteria generally 

includes taking any prudent risks in a situation 

where the lives of both the person(s) rescued as 

well as the rescuer were in peril.” 

That rescue occurred on January 15, 2006, when 

Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment received 

a VHF-FM channel 16 report that the 50-foot fishing 

vessel Catherine M was disabled with three people 

on board and drifting towards the breaking surf 

on Peacock Spit off the Columbia River Bar. Often 

referred to as The Graveyard of the Pacific, the 

area is comprised of a three-mile-wide sandbar, 

which reaches nearly 60 miles into the ocean. This 

navigational nightmare has claimed more than 

2,000 vessels and 700 lives lost since 1792. 

Upon receiving the fishing vessel’s distress call, 

Ramsey’s unit immediately dispatched both motor 

lifeboat (MLB) 47248 and the MLB Triumph. At the 

scene, then boatswain’s mate first class Ramsey, 

coxswain of 47248, quickly recognized the situation 

was much more critical than reported. Conditions 

consisted of 25-to-35-foot seas and breaking surf 

causing the Catherine M to drift into the treacherous 

Peacock Spit—an area normally only entered by 

seasoned mariners. After consultation with the crew 

and rescue coordinators in the observation tower 

at Cape Disappointment, the decision was made 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

to render assistance by performing a “slip tow” 

evolution. 

Concentrating on navigating the MLB in tumultuous 

seas, Ramsey approached the disabled boat while 

his crew managed the passing of a towline— 

expertly maintaining their safety as the deck was 

being swept with large breaking seas. Ramsey took 

the Catherine M in stern tow and navigated his way 

through the surf zone, facing the brunt of 25-foot 

waves in order to shield the fishing vessel from their 

impact. Ramsey’s comprehensive risk assessment, 

and the readiness of his crew to flawlessly execute 

their roles, directly contributed to their lifesaving 

assistance. The result was three lives aboard the 

Catherine M not being added to the long list of 

sailors and vessels lost on the Columbia River Bar. 

Years later in 2017, Chief Ramsey was again 

cited for his superior performance of duty while 

assigned to Coast Guard Station Sabine, Texas 

during Hurricane Harvey. A category four hurricane, 

Harvey produced more precipitation on American 

soil than any other tropical cyclone in U.S. history. 

The storm made landfall three times and dropped 

more than 52 inches of rain over a five-day period. 

The Coast Guard mobilized more than 2,000 Coast 

Guard members in aircraft, cutters and boats. The 

initiative saved approximately 11,000 lives and 

helped restore the economic commerce operating 

out of six different ports. 

During this storm, Ramsey was responsible for 

the coordination and execution of multiple sorties 

conducted by the station, local partner agencies, 

and 20 privately owned assets to affect the rescue 

of more than 300 flood stranded victims. In his own 

words, he describes how responders, “… brought 

supplies, airboats, mud boats, rafts, livestock 

trailers, buggies, big trucks and more. At first you 

might arrive at a new staging area and think this 

is unorganized, this is chaos. The truth is, how do 

you organize an event this massive with things 

happening so quickly? You do what you do! You 

move as fast and as strategic as you can, and you 

go! You save. You provide.” 

In one incident, while responding to a call for 

assistance from the Cypress Glenn Nursing Home, 

Ramsey organized and executed a multi-agency 

evacuation and transport of debilitated senior 

citizens who required immediate medical care. He 

recalled, “Wading in chest deep water to evacuate 

hundreds of elderly in wheelchairs and hospital 

beds was nothing you could ever prepare for. 

Launching our boats in a Target shopping center 

parking lot … insanity!” His actions earned him his 

second Commendation Medal. 

Ramsey is a graduate of the Air Force Noncommissioned 

Officer Academy and a proud 

member of Chief Petty Officer Academy Class 

CCII, where he was recognized by his classmates 

with the “Altus Tendo” award, demonstrating strong 

relationship skills and setting high expectations 

in academic standards, character, and personal 

fitness. 

After 20 years of active duty, Chief Ramsey medically 

retired from the Coast Guard and was determined to 

be 100% service-connected disabled. Undeterred, 

Ramsey became co-owner and chief marketing 

officer of an outdoor product manufacturer, and 

also worked as a Microsoft server site employee 

manning a Secure Classified Information Facility 

(SCIF) in San Antonio, Texas. 

TELL US YOUR STORY 

Tell us your incredible Coast Guard 

stories and what the National Coast 

Guard Museum means to you, and your 

profile may be featured in the next issue 

of the Long Blue Line. 


PORTRAITS OF SERVICE 


47

U.S. COAST GUARD INFORMATION AUXILIARY 

UNDERWAY WITH 

THE KATMAI BAY 

By John Saran, AUXPA1 

John Saran, an Auxiliary public affairs specialist 1, spent two days aboard the 

Katmai Bay during the last days of the icebreaking season. This article is the second 

in a two-part series highlighting the various missions of icebreakers on the Great 

Lakes. Public affairs augmentation of active duty units is one of the many dynamic 

missions of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and amplifies the Coast Guard’s ability to tell 

its story. Be sure to check out the first part in the series, An Icebreaker's Summer on 

the Great Lakes, in the 2023 fall issue of The Long Blue Line. 



THE LONG BLUE LINE

Earlier this year, when 

a cargo ship accident 

temporarily closed down 

a critical river passage 

between the U.S. and 

Canada, the U.S. Coast Guard 

Cutter Katmai Bay stepped 

in to help. Although their 76- 

day icebreaking mission had 

ended just the day before, the 

17-person crew quickly set up 

a Search and Rescue (SAR) 

platform—joining two small 

boats and an MH-60 Jayhawk 

from Air Station Traverse City. 

Fortunately, the American 

Mariner caused no injuries when 

it struck the Mud Lake Junction 

Light in the St. Mary’s River. 

However, it did begin taking 

on water, and the Katmai Bay 

remained on scene until the 

vessel was safely moved out of 

the channel, and commercial 

traffic could resume. 

Although they worked through 

the night prior, Command 

recalled the crew in the middle 

of the night to respond to 

this incident. Their service 

embodied the recently 

updated Coast Guard ethos by 

protecting the vital waterway 

and responding quickly to save 

lives and property. 

If you are considering potential 

duty stations or wondering 

what it’s like to serve aboard 

an icebreaker, you might want 

to consider the Katmai Bay 

(WTGB-101), or one of the five 

other Bay Class cutters in the 

Great Lakes. You’ll have the 

opportunity to lead and master 

the art of being a mariner, while 

helping keep the channels of 

international trade open for 

business. Meanwhile, the skills 

you’ll learn in this tight knit crew 

are directly transferable to other 

units in the cutter fleet. 

ICEBREAKING IS THE 

KATMAI BAY’S PRIMARY 

MISSION 

The Bay Class cutters (of 

which Katmai Bay was the first) 

are the only U.S. icebreakers 

dedicated solely to the domestic 

icebreaking mission. While 

Katmai Bay’s strong bow initially 

breaks ice, at icebreaking 

speed (10.4 knots), the 140’ 

tugboat creates a wake behind 

it that is five ship-widths. With 

just an initial pilot trail and then 

one full pass through at speed, 

the Katmai Bay can create a 

large channel for commercial 

vessel activity in ice 3-5 feet 

thick. 

The Katmai Bay also has an air 

lubrication system, often called 

the “bubbler,” that comprises 

a series of holes in the hull that 

can release air similar to an air 

AUXILIARY 

Ice Train – The crew “hauls” the Katmai Bay through the ice during “Ice 

Liberty.” (USCG photo by Lt. Michael Overstreet) 

U.S. COAST GUARD INFORMATION 


49


hockey table. This system helps 

with reducing friction around 

the hull, allowing the ship to 

proceed faster through thicker 

ice. Lt. Michael Overstreet, one 

of the leaders of its crew, said 

this means there are no mission 

tradeoffs. “This vessel was 

built for ice,” he said. “Its small 

footprint allows us to maneuver 

very close to other ships and 

near shoals, both of which 

present challenges for larger 

cutters.” 

WHAT BUSY SEASON 

LOOKS LIKE 

This past winter was relatively 

warm, with the National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration 

(NOAA) recording the lowest 

January ice cover on record in 

the Great Lakes. But the seven 

Great Lakes icebreakers did 

not remain on the sidelines. 

Together they logged more 

than 719 hours of icebreaking 

assistance over the two and 

a half months of Operation 

TACONITE. They supported 

52 vessel transits, including 18 

direct escorts. These efforts 

ensured commercial shipping 

lanes remained open and that 

vital cargo worth $67 million 

reached its destinations to 

sustain the power grid and 

industrial output. 

After coming off of an eventful 

summer break, the Sault Ste. 

Marie, Michigan crew of the 

Katmai Bay had an even busier 

icebreaking season. Led by Lt. 

Overstreet and Lt. Bryant Giorgi, 

the Katmai Bay’s icebreaking 

was typically done in sprints that 

lasted a few days. These were 

USCGC Katmai making its approach to its homeport in Sector Northern Great Lakes. 

(USCG photo by John Saran, AUXPA 1) 

mostly centered around the 

tighter waterways of the regions, 

including the Straits of Mackinac 

and the St. Mary’s River. The 

first step for the tugboat is 

usually to perform laps around 

each beset vessel in a group to 

relieve the pressure along the 

hull and free them from the ice. 

After breaking a commercial 

vessel out of the ice, the Katmai 

Bay would then proceed ahead 

of them to provide a wide path 

through the channels. 

Icebreaking missions are 

typically not conducted at night 

because the screeching sound 

and vibration of breaking ice 

can shake your fillings loose, 

and the darkness makes 

choosing a safe path much 

more difficult. With a small crew, 

fatigue is a prime consideration 

in the risk management process. 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

We ask a lot from 

our junior team. 

But after six to 

eight months, 

they are pretty 

competent 

mariners. 

competent mariners,” he said. 

“Those skills can be taken to 

other cutters in the fleet.” 

Chief Petty Officer Stephan 

Mattke reported to the unit 

in early January 2024 after 

spending most of his career 

in warm weather conducting 

search and rescue and law 

enforcement operations. “I 

prefer a smaller unit,” said 

Mattke. “It is more of a family 

environment where you foster 

the crew's careers to get them 

to go where they need to go as 

senior enlisted.” 

AUXILIARY 

The tugboat is also equipped to 

provide on-scene search and 

rescue support as the Katmai 

Bay did for the cargo ship 

accident. 

A 140’ BLACK HULL 

PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES 

TO EXCEL 

Multiple non-rates reported 

to the Katmai Bay from Cape 

May in mid-to-late 2023. They 

were immediately placed into 

roles as deckhands (“deckies”), 

engineers, helmsmen, and 

lookouts. Some had never 

been on boats before, never 

experienced the cold weather, 

nor traveled much outside of 

their hometowns. 

Seaman Zakarya Bentameur 

took pride in the ability to 

quickly prepare the cutter to be 

underway. “In the beginning, it 

seems like chaos,” he said. “But 

as you gain more experience 

and see the results of your work 

(reducing underway prep time 

by half), you realize that there is 

a process.” 

There are also opportunities for 

petty officers to take on greater 

leadership roles and be a jack 

of all trades. Boatswain’s Mate 

Second Class Bruce Carter was 

lassoing pier bollards from the 

bow of the cutter, while Culinary 

Specialist Second Class Vincent 

Colonna stepped out of the 

galley to maintain morale on 

the fantail. Both oversaw the 

successful moorings, cast-offs, 

and other evolutions, stepping 

in where needed to execute 

the task or adjust the actions 

of the non-rates using creative 

metaphors. 

Having a small crew, with an 

average age of 27, allows 

everyone to get to know each 

other fairly well. It also lets nonrates 

get significant experience 

that they might not get at other 

first units. Overstreet focused 

on this point. “We ask a lot from 

our junior team. But after six to 

eight months, they are pretty 

TRAINING BETWEEN 

MISSIONS TO STAY 

PROFICIENT AND EARN NEW 

QUALIFICATIONS 

When the Katmai Bay was not 

engaged in icebreaking or 

search and rescue evolutions, 

the crew was constantly 

training. When the weather 

permitted, the crew performed 

helicopter evolutions with 

Air Station Traverse City, ice 

rescue training, and small boat 

operations. 

When weather forced operations 

to be canceled, the crew 

congregated in the galley to 

work on their next qualifications 

(officer of the day, helmsman, 

etc.). Machinery Technician 

First Class Paul Bruci took 

his responsibility seriously in 

overseeing the growth of the 

non-rates and showcased 

tough, yet patient instruction. 

He recently led the training 

for the temporary cutterman 

insignia and explained that it 

requires at least six months of 

sea time, various qualifications, 

the passing of a board, and 

the mastery of cutter service 

information. 



51


IT’S NOT ALL WORK – THE 

CREW MAINTAINS MORALE 

With the daily routine and cold 

weather operations comes the 

need to maintain crew morale. 

That starts in the galley with CS2 

Colonna’s cooking. He is known 

for making dishes that the crew 

loves, which are especially 

appreciated after facing the 

bone-chilling wind. 

The galley is also where the 

crew socializes on off-hours, 

playing cards and board games 

and watching movies. There 

are no cable or streaming 

services onboard, but 

the Navy Motion Picture 

Service (NMPS) regularly 

supplies movies on SD 

cards that are kept in 

a binder. Recently, 

the crew engaged in 

Kung Fu Panda watch 

parties. 

Another crew favorite is 

bonfire night on Lime Island. 

After mooring, the crew will 

disembark, start a fire, and 

stargaze while enjoying 

delicacies reserved for special 

occasions. Michigan’s Upper 

Peninsula in the winter is serene. 

“Ice Liberty” can also be a 

perfect setting for a unit morale 

event. 

Chow – CS2 Colonna serves a hot 

breakfast in the galley of the Katmai Bay 

after a cold morning to give the crew fuel 

for getting underway. (USCG photo by 

John Saran, AUXPA1) 

“Icebreaking tugboats on the 

Great Lakes will absolutely 

prepare you for a career in 

cutter operations. You will 

probably even enjoy yourself 

even accounting for the cold 

winters. I highly recommend 

it as a first unit or next 

assignment,” said Lt. Giorgi 


THE LONG BLUE LINE


53


MAYDAY! 

MAYDAY! 

MAYDAY! 

COAST GUARD, 

COAST GUARD, 

HELP! 

AUXILIARISTS ASSIST 

STATION KINGS POINT 

MULTI-AGENCY SAR DRILL! 

By Linda Lakin, AUXPA3 

Senior Chief Horrigan (OIC) 

and BM1 Vardakis of Station 

Kings Point, New York, planned 

a search and rescue (SAR) 

drill event on Sunday, July 30, 

2023, that included multiple first 

responder agencies and the 

Coast Guard Auxiliary. 

In early June 2023, BM1 Andrew Vardakis 

contacted the flotilla commander of D1SR 

(District 1, Southern Region) Auxiliary Flotilla 75, 

Mamaroneck, New York, and pitched a station 

SAR exercise to see if there were Auxiliary 

surface assets available to assist. Additionally, 

Auxiliary surface vessels were needed for July 

31, targeted as a practice day for the Coast 

Guard crew, and August 1. Flotilla 75 provided 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

When the Coast Guard answers the radio, the 

distressed vessels states, “We struck a buoy at 

high speed!” 

The master has suffered a head injury. Passenger 

#1 is on the deck, intermittingly conscious, and 

unable to move. Passenger #2 states they think 

they broke their leg. Passenger #3 is light-headed 

with heavy chest pains. 

AUXILIARY 

two operational vessels, with Auxiliarists from 

several flotillas in D1SR. 

BM1 Vardarkis also explained that the NBC 

“Today Show” with Al Roker, an honorary 

commodore himself, was going to film the SAR 

exercise on Tuesday, August 1. 

The July 30, 2023, scenario described by Station 

Kings Point would be a vessel collision with 

medical assistance needed. 

While monitoring VHF CH 16 (simulated with a 

handheld radio) at Station King Point, a vessel is 

heard calling on their radio, “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, 

MAYDAY, Coast Guard, Coast Guard, help!” 

Top: Kings Point Coast Guard and Emergency 

Management Services with the victim. (Photo by 

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary) 

Botttom: John Reidy, Flotilla 75 Mamaroneck, has 

injury makeup applied for the SAR Drill. (Photo by 

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary) 

The master gives the vessel’s position as 

northeast of Stepping Stones Lighthouse and 

does not report flooding or damage to the vessel, 

however, his vessel is currently disabled. 

At the time of the mayday call, CG Station Kings 

Point launches a SAR asset and will see a 36ft 

Tiara motor vessel dead in the water, once in 

the vicinity. The SAR asset will pull alongside 

the vessel in distress and render first aid to the 

victims. Simultaneously, the coxswain will direct 

his crew to make up a tow. The coxswain and 

OOD will coordinate with CG Station Kings Point 

CDO/OIC and Sector New York for a medical 

evacuation (MEDEVAC) to Stepping Stones 

Marina. The asset will transit to Stepping Stones 

Park to await the Vigilant Fire Company and 

Vigilant EMS and safely transfer aid ashore 

where the Coast Guard will brief and assist both 

agencies as necessary. 

Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 75 provided 

recreational vessels as the role player boat 

in distress with victims. Members of the 

Mamaroneck Flotilla, Reed Hamel (FC), Alan 

Wolkoff, Vincent Bocchimuzzo, Mike Reidy, Frank 

Picone, Mary Tesoro, and Flotilla 74 Stamford 

Flotilla, Walter Roberts and Division 6: Flotilla 

64 – Ver Plank, participated in the exercise. The 

Vigilant Fire Company Ambulance Unit provided 

qualified EMTs to treat the injured. 

August 1, 2023, was Coast Guard Day in New 

York. NBC Today Show featured Al Roker, who 

described his experience on the RBS 29 with 

Station Kings Point as part of the crew that took 

the Auxiliary “vessel in distress” in tow. NBC also 

provided the makeup artists for the Auxiliarists 

who role-played victims on the disabled vessel. 



55

U.S. COAST GUARD INFORMATION ACTIVE DUTY 

MEET 

THE NEWEST 

COAST GUARD 

Douglas is now a NASA astronaut. After 

his graduation on March 5, 2024, he 

returned to Coast Guard headquarters to 

be commissioned by the Commandant 

as a commander in the Coast Guard 

Reserve. Underscoring this unique and 

special moment, Acting Deputy Secretary of 

Homeland Security Kristie Canegallo joined 

Admiral Linda Fagan for the ceremony. 

“It’s really cool to see my dream come true 

and to share it with my Coast Guard family,” 

Douglas explained. “I’m on cloud nine 

seeing all the hard work come full circle.” 

Douglas took the oath flanked by his father, 

wife, and two sons. 

ASTR 

When Commander Andre Douglas’ spacesuit failed underwater during a 

spacewalk exercise, panic was the last thing on his mind. Instead, his 

Coast Guard training kicked in. He knew he had to “lean into it, rather 

than run away from it.” He stayed focused during the remainder of the 

run and received his National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

(NASA) spacewalk qualification soon after. 

Douglas will serve on the Commandant’s 

Advisory Group (CAG), focusing on 

autonomous maritime systems, public 

affairs, and recruiting. At NASA, Douglas 

will balance multiple jobs. While he awaits 

his flight assignments, he’ll be supporting 

NASA’s next generation space station 

called Gateway, the mothership for future 

lunar missions. He will also help develop 

lunar vehicles and update NASA’s spacesuit 

design to work on the moon. 

All the while, he will continue his flight, 

spacewalk, Russian language, and robotics 

training. He knows his time in space is 

coming. 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

ONAUT 

By Zach Shapiro, MyCG Staff 


ACTIVE DUTY 


57

U.S. COAST GUARD INFORMATION ACTIVE DUTY 

Douglas can’t wait to drink in the view of 

the earth, the moon, and the stars. He’s 

even picked out the perfect music for that 

moment: Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack to 

the acclaimed 2014 film, Interstellar. And 

he’s eager to float and spin in zero gravity 

whenever he can. 

Douglas graduated from the U.S. Coast 

Guard Academy in 2008 and served as 

an active-duty Coast Guard officer until 

2015. During his career, he was a naval 

architect, salvage engineer, damage 

control assistant, and officer of the deck. 

After leaving the Coast Guard, he was a 

senior professional staff member at the 

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics 

Lab, where he worked on maritime robotics, 

planetary defense, and space exploration 

missions. Douglas holds three master’s 

degrees and a doctorate. He’s dreamt of 

being an astronaut since he was a child. 

His mother introduced him to radios, 

telescopes, and the idea of being an 

astronaut in elementary school. “I was very 

curious about the universe,” he said. That 

passion even spilled into his schoolwork; 

he wrote an eighth-grade report on nuclear 

fission. To this day, he thrives on being 

challenged. “I like challenging things,” 

he emphasized. “If I don’t do something 

challenging, I get bored.” 

He credits his parents for inspiring his 

careers at the Coast Guard and NASA. 

His father served in the Coast Guard and 

taught at the Coast Guard Academy. His 

mother, a military nurse, engrained the need 

to care for others, which drew him to the 

Coast Guard’s humanitarian service roles. 

Douglas says the Coast Guard prepared 

him well for astronaut training. “We have 

unique experiences that can translate just 

about anywhere,” he noted. The Coast 

Guard taught him adaptability and flexibility, 

“to get comfortable with the uncomfortable,” 

and “to adapt to the needs of the mission.” 

Douglas is the third Coast Guard astronaut, 

following in the footsteps of retired Captain 

Daniel Burbank and retired Commander 

Bruce Melnick. Burbank, now a professor of 

mechanical engineering at the Coast Guard 

Academy, spent 188 days in space on two 

Space Shuttle missions and one mission 

aboard the International Space Starion. 

Previously, Melnick, a 20-year veteran of 

the U.S. Coast Guard, logged more than 300 

hours in space. 

Burbank encourages uniformed members 

to follow in the trio’s path. “We need people 

who are perpetually curious,” he stated. 

“Who are always learning. Who understand 

how to operate in dangerous environments.” 

Douglas shares this hope of seeing other 

members in space, and he hopes to inspire 

others to follow their passions and strive to 

reach their maximum potential. 

Even after being honored for his long list of 

achievements, Douglas is looking toward the 

next challenge: “to come up with solutions for 

sustaining a long-term human presence on 

the Moon, and eventually, traveling to Mars.” 

Leaning into these challenges, he says, is 

woven into the fabric of humanity. “Problem 

solving and exploration is something that we 

are born to do.” 

This article was 

published on MyCG. 

For more great Coast 

Guard stories, visit 

www.mycg.uscg.mil 


THE LONG BLUE LINE


59


RESERVE 

Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Dellamura volunteered for active-duty orders with 

Operation Vigilant Sentry. (Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Laticia Sims) 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

STANDBY 

SUPPLY GUY 

RESERVE 

A logistician who serves as a maritime 

enforcement specialist brings highlevel 

civilian skills to Coast Guard law 

enforcement logistics 

Story by CWO Anastasia M. Devlin, Personnel Services Division 

It started with a few thousand boxes of 

gloves, the light, snappy kind you’d find 

at doctors’ offices. 

Joe Dellamura had them and didn’t 

need them. He was looking for someone 

who needed them and didn’t have 

them. 

Last summer, Dellamura, who serves as 

the chief of supply chain management 

for the Department of Homeland 

Security, was working out what to do 

with excess pandemic supply inventory. 

As he called around to different 

agencies making sure the supplies 

were responsibly rehomed, he finally 

arrived at Border Patrol. The agency 

said they’d take a good chunk of the 

boxes, but recommended Dellamura 

call the Coast Guard down in Miami to 

see if their crews needed any. 

He smiled. While he was pretty high 

up in the logistics world for DHS, 

Dellamura had also been serving in the 

Coast Guard as a Reserve boarding 

officer. One weekend a month, he 

was part of the enforcement division 

at Sector Maryland National-Capital 

Region, making the trip up from his 

home in Florida. Now that the pandemic 

was slowing down, he’d considered 

volunteering for orders. 



61

RESERVE 


“I never deployed for anything big because 

I worked for FEMA,” he said. “Our biggest 

contingency operations are hurricanes, but I’m 

usually already working during a hurricane.” 

When he called up the Coast Guard with his 

offer, he realized they needed much more than 

gloves. 

Law enforcement personnel have been 

extremely busy conducting work on behalf 

of Operation Vigilant Sentry, a multi-agency 

effort designed to protect the safety of life at 

sea and deter maritime mass migration. The 

Coast Guard has been the lead agency in the 

ongoing and historic migrant surge, intercepting 

people attempting the voyage from all over the 

Caribbean corridor in very dangerous and often 

unseaworthy vessels. 

As a maritime enforcement specialist, the 

listed jobs Dellamura could fi ll were mostly 

for watchstanders, but he noted that they also 

needed a logistics officer. 

Well, he was very qualified in that—albeit in the 

civilian world. 

Cmdr. Ernie Brown was the deputy incident 

commander in spring of 2023, and he was 

thrilled that the offer of supplies had come at 

a critical time. He was shocked to realize the 

Coast Guard connection. 

“My logistics chief was on the phone with him, 

and he said, ‘You really gotta talk to this guy,’” 

said Brown. “Turns out he was exactly the 

person we needed.” 

Brown offered Dellamura the chance to work in 

logistics for the Coast Guard, and he jumped 

at it, reporting to the OVS command in May 

2023. Once aboard, Dellamura immediately 

employed his deep knowledge of the FEMA and 

DHS stock. He worked to transfer more than 

$600,000 in excess pandemic supplies from 

the department’s warehouses, re-deploying the 

disposable, hygienic items in support of another 

DHS mission. 

When Capt. Ann McSpadden showed up the 

following month, she recognized the skills of her 

new deputy logistics chief, even as he was still 

learning the job. 

“I trusted him almost immediately,” said 

McSpadden. “His demeanor and his 

professionalism and his understanding of 

the whole process of supply chain was just 

outstanding. I didn’t have to question anything. 

I gave him my ‘eagles’ and we went forward 

making changes.” 

Though fluent in law enforcement operations, 

Dellamura realized he had a lot to learn when 

it came to understanding the Coast Guard’s 

mission support platforms. Learning the 

financial systems was like putting new names to 

old faces—many of them similar, smaller-scale 

versions of nationwide processes and supply 

chains he understood at DHS. 

The Coast Guard was still getting used to 

Dellamura too. 

McSpadden said she needed to run 

interference occasionally with approvals, 

holding meetings, and making introductions 

for her deputy, but once the connections 

When it came to delivery, our 

‘warehouses’ were moving, 

because they’re boats—they 

can’t wait to do the mission. If a 

shipment arrived two days late, 

the place it’s getting shipped to 

might not be there anymore. 

Dellamura at Department of Homeland 

Security Headquarters. 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

were made and Dellamura’s reputation was 

established, the supplies began to flow. 

“We were able to get buy-in from the bases 

to update their records to see where the 

shortfalls were so we could monitor levels and 

get supplies in when we needed them,” said 

McSpadden. 

Previously, each ship and land-based unit 

had been handling their own supply requests, 

but items would show up late, orders would 

require multiple shipments, and products 

were not standardized. Dellamura could see 

that the current systems were more costly and 

inefficient. 

“It’s like when you’re ordering more than 

one thing online, and it all comes in the 

same box,” he said. “It’s the same 

idea.” 

Lt. j.g. Mary Sweet, the supply 

offi cer on the Coast Guard Cutter 

Confidence, had been on the job for 

the last year, covering all logistics 

and supplies for her ship. Sweet said 

the ship’s crew had begun to see 

an increased fl ow of migrants, and 

everyone worked hard to keep up with 

the pace of operations. 

At times, the Confidence held several 

hundred migrants, working with 

the Coast Guard’s smaller fast 

response cutters to safely 

care for the migrants 

aboard as they were processed and awaiting 

disposition for repatriation. 

“We’d have to put in requests with line items to 

be transferred like property—like 300 spoons, 

300 cups … or whatever we needed,” she said. 

“It was a lot of moving pieces.” 

RESERVE 



63

RESERVE 

“We needed all kinds of supplies—infant 

formula, markers for wristbands, trash bags, 

blankets—we needed to be able to restock at 

the rate that we were bringing people aboard,” 

said Sweet. “At one point, we were cutting 

blankets in half to be able to have enough for 

each person.” 

Sweet and other unit supply officers were 

sending requests to Sector Miami and Sector 

Key West. As the cutter crews would come 

in for port calls, they’d grab supplies. Other 

times, smaller station boats would run more 

items out to the cutters, or ships departing 

the Florida Straits would pass on leftover 

supplies. Ships shared supplies on scene as 

well, combining stashes of items to support 

operations. 

Sweet worked to order enough supplies, but 

ordering large quantities of each type of item 

and coordinating to get them on board when 

she needed them was difficult. 

Within weeks of his arrival, Dellamura began 

to change the process in a noticeable way. 

Day by day, more logistics solutions dawned 

on him, and he greased the skids with the 

supply officers and commanding officers of 

the units working OVS operations. Dellamura 

said he made a lot of introductions, telling his 

story again and again. He’d explain that he 

wasn’t the average ME1, and he asked for 

their trust in him. 

“When I’m looking at three sectors, four bases, 

two air stations, half a dozen cutters, and 15 

small boats, I see that they’re all submitting 

their logistics needs to me—equipment 

requests,” said Dellamura. “I have a real 

opportunity to streamline this process.” 



THE LONG BLUE LINE

When I’m looking at three sectors, 

four bases, two air stations, half 

a dozen cutters, and 15 small 

boats, I see that they’re all 

submitting their logistics needs 

to me . . . equipment requests. 

Developing a spoke-and-hub model of 

logistics operations was just the start. 

“I’d look at (logistics strategy) and I’d say, 

“This can be done so much better! There are 

so many ways to do this that no one’s ever 

thought of before.” 

Next, he looked at the delivery systems and 

the secondary effects of the inefficient systems 

dealing with multiple manufacturers and 

vendor. 

“When it came to delivery, our ‘warehouses’ 

were moving, because they’re boats—they 

can’t wait to do the mission. If a shipment 

arrived two days late, the place it’s getting 

shipped to might not be there anymore.” 

He began to group orders and ship supplies 

to a warehouse the team had created at 

Sector Miami. Dellamura and his team 

RESERVE 

Petty Officer 1st Class Joseph Dellamura volunteered for active-duty orders with 

Operation Vigilant Sentry. (Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Laticia Sims) 



65

RESERVE 


commandeered an old communications 

building in Richmond Heights, Florida, that 

wasn’t being used. 

Employing a just-in-time shipping plan, they 

aggregated requests, created mass orders, 

and delivered exactly what the ships needed— 

timing the port calls. 

Around June 2023, about a month after 

Dellamura arrived, Sweet said the process 

became much more streamlined. 

“Once they created these kits that you could 

just ship to units, it was so much easier,” she 

said. “All I had to do was send an email for how 

many kits I needed, and what excess items I 

had on board, and they’d calculate what to 

bring us.” 

“They outfitted us with even more than what we 

needed, and they drove the supplies to us,” 

said Sweet. 

“Being a logistician, you have to be ahead 

of the operators—they’re the customer you’re 

supporting,” Dellamura said. “If a cutter 

needs fuel, they don’t wait until they’ve run 

out to figure out where to find more fuel. They 

start thinking about it a week in advance. If an 

operator is asking for a resource, they need 

it right now, so you have to know how to get 

it before they realize they need it.” 

“Our mission is to be able to go out and 

rescue and repatriate individuals who are 

interdicted at sea. So, what does that require? 

Well, we’re basically running a shelter,” he 

said. 

“We start with how many people fit on this 

boat. Okay, well, 75 people fit on this boat, 

so what will I need to take care of 75 people? 

Let’s put all that together and get it ready— 

eventually we’re going to need it.” 

He stayed alert for ways to tailor the kits to 

better fit the ships’ needs. Trash bags were 

added to the itemized list of requirements for 

each migrant interdiction operations (MIO) kit 

after Sweet and her crew reached out. 

Eventually, as they pulled in for port calls, the 

OVS supply support team would be ready for 

them. 

“They would have a crate waiting for us at the 

We start with how many people fit 

on this boat. Okay, well, 75 people 

fit on this boat, so what will I need 

to take care of 75 people? Let’s 

put all that together and get it 

ready—eventually we’re going to 

need it. 

pier with everything we needed to restock,” 

said Sweet. 

Dellamura and his team standardized list of 41 

items that fit into a tri-wall container: things like 

kitchen supplies, clothes, medicine, blankets, 

soap, baby supplies and, of course, gloves. 

Each MIO kit, about the size of an extra-large 

footlocker, held enough supplies for 75 people 

for 7 days. When operations slowed down after 

the summer, Dellamura and his team worked on 

building more kits through the fall of 2023, and 

they worked into the winter. He also developed 

industrial service orders for tents, outdoor sinks, 

and other hygiene equipment. 

His background as a boarding officer helped 

Dellamura ensure the kits were all tailored 

properly so as not to endanger the migrants or 

Coast Guard crewmembers at sea. Sinks had 

wires removed, sharp edges of metallic objects 

were softened. 

As the MIO kit morphed into a larger project, 

the kits were replicated by Coast Guard bases 

Dellarmura attends a training at U.S. Army Quartermaster 

Corps School at Fort Lee, Virginia, in 2023. There, logisticians 

learned the mechanics of water purification. 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

along the east coast whose cutters were 

headed to the Florida Straits. 

With the standard MIO kit aboard, the cutters 

were arriving to the scene already equipped to 

respond, rather than steaming past Hispaniola 

to San Juan where they’d be able to pick up 

supplies. 

“And this productivity buys us a lot of flexibility, 

especially when you consider the time and fuel 

saved,” said Dellamura. 

The MIO kit is well on its way to becoming a 

GSA schedule item that can be ordered from 

a catalog. 

Dellamura joked about how it got started with 

two petty officers in an abandoned building 

playing a game of Tetris, trying to fit 41 items 

into a container rated for travel aboard aircraft. 

Petty Officers Sergio Lopez and Michael Ozuna 

supported the project from its infancy and 

continue to be a critical asset to the success 

of OVS. 

“I couldn’t be more proud of those guys, and I 

couldn’t be more honored to work with them,” 

said Dellamura. “We’re doing law enforcement 

logistics, and it’s great because we have these 

people who are really tailored for this job.” 

When McSpadden left the operation nine months 

ago, Dellamura didn’t need a replacement. He’d 

earned his logistics section chief qualification, 

and he took over for the response—as a first 

class petty officer. 

Now he works directly for the current deputy 

incident commander for OVS, Capt. Joanna 

Hiigel and he continues to manage multi-milliondollar 

logistics for the response. 

He stays modest though. 

“I’m not splitting atoms here,” Dellamura said 

with a laugh, understanding the opportunity 

he’d been given. “It’s just that there was 

never a position created that gave someone 

oversight over so many processes and units to 

recognize mistakes or common ways to refine 

the processes.” 

As the Coast Guard continues its OVS 

response, Hiigel said she appreciates that 

logistics is one of the parts of the response that 

she doesn’t have to worry about, and neither is 

Dellamura’s rank. 

“We trust our second class petty officers to 

drive a ship,” she said. “We allow our third class 

petty officers to be boarding officers, so why 

wouldn’t we trust someone who’s so obviously 

qualified and ready to be our logistics officer?” 

“And he’s not just doing the job,” said Hiigel, 

“he’s knocking it out of the park.” 

RESERVE 



67

U.S. COAST GUARD RETIREE INFORMATION RETIREMENTS 

RETIREMENTS 

ABBOTT, ROBERT 

ACEVEDO, WALTER 

ADAMS, ISABELLA 

AGUIAR-RAMOS, RONALD 

AGUIRRE, GILBERT 

AINSWORTH, MARVIN 

ALBRECHT, WILLIAM 

ALLEN, JOE 

ALLEN, SAMUEL 

ALVAREZ CORTES, PORFIDIO 

AMERMAN, CLINTON 

ANDERSON, MIKAEL 

ANDERSON, RICHARD 

ANDREWS, SEAN 

ARMIJO, JOSEPH 

ARMIJO, DARIUS 

ARNOLD, THOMAS 

ARSENAULT, KRISTINA 

AULPH, KEVIN 

AUMAN, DAVID 

AVILES, GABRIEL 

AXTON, NATHAN 

AYALA, OSCAR 

BABB, BRYAN 

BABSON, JOHN 

BACHHUBER, MARTIN 

BACON, LEE 

BADAMI, MICHAEL 

BARRAGAN, PAUL 

BARRATT, JOSEPH 

BARRECA, CHRISTOPHER 

BASSOLINO, ANN 

BAYNESS, OMAR 

BEAUCHAMP, LEMUEL 

BECK, MATTHEW 

USCG 

PSC 

AET1 

OS2 

BM2 

ISM4 

HSC 

BMC 

DCC 

AMTC 

AET3 

MKCS 

CDR 

OS1 

EM1 

LT 

MK2 

ENG2 

MSSR4 

OS1 

LT 

YNC 

ME1 

DC2 

BMC 

OSCS 

AMTCS 

CDR 

OSC 

CDR 

MKCS 

HSC 

CDR 

GMC 

LCDR 

CDR 

05-05-2024 



































BEHL, DANIEL 

BELFORT, ODNEY 

BENA, BARRY 

BENHAM, CLARK 

BEZARES, JAVIER 

BLACHARSKI, ELAINE 

BOCCIA, MARK 

BOGARD, CRYSTAL 

BOHLER, JARROD 

BOHN, JEREMY 

BORGES, JACOB 

BOUCHARD, THADDEUS 

BOUND, THOMAS 

BOWIE, HOLLY 

BOX, DANIEL 

BROOKS, SHAWN 

BROOM, JEFFREY 

BROWN, BRIAN 

BURNS, ANDY 

CABRERA, FRANCISCO ROBERTO 

CALLAWAY, ALYSSA 

CAPANO, VINCENT 

CAPESTANY, ERIC 

CAPPS, DEAN 

CASAVANT, CANDICE 

CASTLE, JAMES 

CASTRO, JOSEPH 

CATANZARITE, JEFFREY 

CESSOR, BENJAMIN 

CHALK, EDWARD 

CHURCHILL, ALLEN 

CLARK, JANUARY 

CLARK, DAVID 

CLARKE, JOHN 

CLAYTON, LUKE 

MKC 

MEC 

PA2 

EM2 

MK1 

CDR 

GMC 

EM2 

MST1 

LCDR 

BMC 

BOSN4 

LT 

GM1 

OS1 

MSSE4 

AMT1 

MKCS 

BM1 

HS2 

YN1 

ME1 

MSSD3 

AET3 

CDR 

ITC 

OS2 

BM1 

BMC 

BMC 

BMC 

MST1 

AET1 

BM1 

PAC 





































THE LONG BLUE LINE

! 

CLEGG, JOSHUA 

COCKBURN, LINDSEY 

COKER, TREVOR 

COLE, ANTONIO 

COLE, JOSHUA 

COLEMAN, MICHAEL 

COLISAO, MICHAEL 

COLLEGE, DANIEL 

COLLINS, PAMELA 

COMPTON, THOMAS 

CONNER, JAMES 

COOK, LORI 

COOK, GORDON 

COOMBS, KATHRYN 

COPELAND, JAMES 

COSME, LESLIE 

COWELL, JEROMY 

COX, KASEY 

CULOTTA, CHARLES 

DAVIDSON, CHRISTOPHER 

DAVOY, STANLEY 

DE LEO, MARY 

DE LEON RODRIGUEZ, PEDRO 

DEAN, CLIFFORD 

DELEON, REID 

DELLASPERANZA, SCOTT 

DETTLEFF, JOHN 

DEUTERMANN, KELLY 

DEVELLE, JORDAN 

DIBLEY, NATHANIEL 

DOBOS, SCOTT 

DONNELLY, DAVID 

DORPEMA, PAUL 

DORSEY, SARAH 

DREY, ERIC 

DUBOSE, QUINTON 

DUSEK, CRAIG 

DUTY, MICHELLE 

DYKEMA, MICHAEL 

ECKERY, TIMOTHY 

EDMON, DONALD 

EHLERS, SPENCER 

EISTER, JOHN 

ELMORE, BRANDI 

EPPLER, JOHN 

EPPS, MICHAEL 

ERIKS, ANDREW 

ESPARZA, JOSHUA 

It's been noted that some CG Reserve retirees in RET-2 status (awaiting pay) are missing from this list. Efforts are underway 

to include all RET-2 retirees in future issues. 

ENG4 

LT 

OSCS 

LT 

MEC 

DC1 

F&S4 

MEC 

YN1 

BM1 

CDR 

OSCS 

BM1 

CDR 

IT1 

ET1 

MSTC 

PERS2 

CAPT 

BM1 

ENG4 

YNCS 

AMT3 

MKC 

LT 

ME1 

CAPT 

CDR 

DC3 

MSTC 

DCC 

MK2 

AMTC 

LCDR 

CAPT 

LCDR 

ENG4 

MSTC 

CDR 

SK1 

LCDR 

MSTC 

DCC 

LCDR 

MAT2 

ET1 

CAPT 

OS1 

















































ESTADES, ALFONSO 

FARRELL, DARIN 

FELGER, SARAH 

FERNANDEZ, ENO 

FILIPOWICZ, JOHN 

FINN, TYSON 

FISHER, AMANDA 

FLYNN, BRIAN 

FONSECA, ALAN 

FORBES, JUSTIN 

FRANKLIN, MICAH 

FRENKEL, IAN 

FRIAND, STEPHEN 

FRYDENGER, JOSEPH 

FULLER, CALISTA 

GADDIS, ANDREW 

GALLIMORE, RUSSELL 

GARCIA, JULIAN 

GARRY, DANIEL 

GARZA, ARNOLDO 

GENNUSO, PHILLIP 

GIBBS, BRET 

BMC 

EMCS 

CAPT 

MK2 

LCDR 

LT 

CDR 

OS3 

ETC 

LCDR 

ASTC 

BNDM4 

ET1 

LCDR 

CS1 

ME2 

ISS2 

BM1 

LCDR 

DC1 

BM1 

ETC 

























RETIREMENTS 

69


GIORGIO, NATHANIEL 

GLADMAN, FORREST 

GLINSKI, MICHAEL 

GLONER, ELMER 

GOADE, LARRY 

GODETTE, NIKITA 

GODWIN, BRADLEY 

GONZALEZ HARRELL, EVA 

GOODNER, VIRGINIA 

GOODRICH, MICHAEL 

GOODRICH, NICOLE 

GORDON, JUSTIN 

GORRIN, JOSEPH 

GRIFFIN, JOSEPH 

GRIFFIN, HAROLD 

GUEVARA, GERALD 

GUSTAVE, STEPHANIE 

HABA, RANDY 

HAGSTROM, JOAN 

HAMEL, KENNETH 

HAMILTON, CHRISTIE 

HAMMOND, TIMOTHY 

HANNAN, TIMOTHY 

HARGIS, CARLTON 

HARRIS, SAMMIE 

HARTLEY, LISA 

HARVEY, RYAN 

HATFIELD, JERRY 

HELLBERG, KARL 

HEMMINGER, THOMAS 

HESS, KIMBERLY 

HILDEBRANDT, GREGORY 

HILLMAN, BRIAN 

HO, BRYANT 

HOCKEMA, CORWIN 

HOPKINS, JASON 

HOWARD, DANIEL 

HOWELL, ALAINA 

HOWERTON, PATRICK 

HRUPSA, JOSEPH 

HUARACHA, JUAN 

HUGUS, JUSTIN 

HUMMER, MICHAEL 

HUNTLEE, FRANK 

HUTSON, ZANE 

IACOBUCCI, JEREMY 

IRISH, NOELLE 

ITO, KEITH 

IVES, EMILY 

JACKSON, MICHAEL 

JACKSON, JOSHUA 

LCDR 

GMC 

CDR 

MKC 

MSSE4 

SK1 

SKCS 

CS1 

OS1 

BM1 

MK1 

CDR 

AMT1 

MK3 

OSC 

HSC 

ET2 

ASTC 

SKC 

MEC 

MSTCM 

CAPT 

MEC 

BM1 

CSC 

LCDR 

AMT1 

MECS 

CAPT 

MSSD4 

CDR 

MKC 

LT 

ME1 

LT 

CDR 

DCC 

LTJG 

BOSN4 

AMT1 

EMCM 

ENG4 

IT1 

ET1 

MK1 

LT 

SKC 

MEC 

BMC 

CAPT 

SK3 




















































JACOME, NOEL 

JAEKEL, KRISTEN 

JANGLEE, CORINNE 

JEWELL, BENJAMIN 

JIMENEZ, GLENN 

JOHNSON, LISA 

JOHNSON, JIMMIE 

JOHNSTON, EDWARD 

JOKELA, NICHOLAS 

JONES, CHRISTOPHER 

JONES, MATTHEW 

JONES, MARIAH 

JUNIPER, JEFFREY 

KAGERER, JASON 

KANIGOWSKI, SIMON 

KELLEY, ALEXANDER 

KELLY, BRANDY 

KENDALL, WALTER 

KETCHUM, ROBERT 

KHOSH, FILIPP 

KIM, JOUNG 

KIRKLAND, WALTER 

KLINGLER, CHAD 

KNIGHT, RICHARD 

KNOWLES, KRISTOPHER 

KNUDSEN, JUSTIN 

KRAUSE, JOHN 

KRAVITZ, GARRETT 

KUEHNE, IAN 

ME2 

CDR 

SK1 

BOSN3 

OSC 

YNCS 

SK1 

DC1 

LCDR 

BMC 

BMC 

CS3 

AETC 

SK1 

ISS3 

AET1 

HS2 

BM1 

BM3 

LCDR 

MEC 

AET2 

DCC 

CDR 

BMC 

BMCM 

MST1 

BMCM 

MEC 































THE LONG BLUE LINE

KURIAN, JAISON 

KYLE, JOVANNI 

LACEY, PHILLIP 

LADNIER, DANIEL 

LANDOLT, SCOTT 

LAWTON, KATHY 

LEE, BLAKE 

LEGGETT, ADAM 

LEGGETT, JEREMIAH 

LEON, VICTOR 

LISKO, JOHN 

LIVINGSTON, MATTHEW 

LOFTUS, CLARE 

LOPEZ, DANNA 

LOPEZ, ERIN 

LOVEJOY, LYNN 

LUCIANI, ANTHONY 

MAISANO, JODY 

MAKALENA, YVONNE 

MANNING, JEFFREY 

MANNING, RYAN 

MANNING, TRENT 

MANUFEKAI, SABRINA 

MARCINKOWSKI, TATE 

MARFULL, ERIC 

MARIANO, ISA 

MARLER, ADAM 

MARTIN, LEONEL 

MATHIS, CHARLES 

MST1 

YN2 

MK1 

MK1 

MK1 

YN1 

BM1 

LCDR 

LCDR 

MKC 

CDR 

MSTC 

LTJG 

CDR 

LT 

SK2 

LT 

CDR 

YN1 

BMCM 

CAPT 

MEC 

YN2 

ELC3 

CDR 

YNC 

BM2 

BM1 

CDR 






























MATHIS, NATHAN 

MATWA, JOANNA 

MAUPIN, COLE 

MAY, AUSTIN 

MAYS, ZEPHYR 

MCANDREW, PETER 

MCCAIN, KENNITH 

MCCALLISTER, CONSTANCE 

MCCULLOUGH, JENNIFER 

MCGAHEE, GRANT 

MCGEE, MARK 

MCGRAIL, MICHAEL 

MCKENZIE, NICOLE 

MCLEAN, DURAN 

MCLEOD, PHILLIP 

MCNAIR, SUZANNE 

MEDALIS, NICHOLAS 

MEDINA, ANTONIO 

MEDRANO, ABRAHAM 

MEES, KURTIS 

MENDEN, AMBER 

MENDEZ, JUAN 

MENEFEE, NATHAN 

MENZE, GEORGE 

MILES, GREGORY 

MILFORDWHITE, KAMILAH 

MILLER, MARSHALL 

MILLER, LAURA 

MILLER, JULIE 

MILLER, MATTHEW 

MILLIKEN, PAUL 

MILLS, JACOB 

MILLS, GARY 

MILLS, JEREMY 

MITCHELL, DAVID 

MITCHELL, MATTHEW 

MOBIGLIA, ERIC 

MONTESSI, DOMINIC 

MOORE, DARREN 

MORITZ, JASON 

MORRISON, FRANKLIN 

MOWER, JOHN 

MOYNIHAN, CHANTEL 

MUENTES, SAMUEL 

MULLEN, MEGAN 

MUNIZ, DANIEL 

MUNOZ, ORLANDO 

MURRAY, ROBERT 

NARANJO, KENNETH 

NARRUHN, NICHOLAS 

NEAL, STEVEN 

OSC 

SK2 

OSC 

HS3 

LCDR 

LT 

LCDR 

LT 

CDR 

AMT2 

BMCM 

CDR 

PERS3 

SK1 

EM1 

MST1 

ELC4 

OS1 

MST1 

LCDR 

LT 

EMC 

CDR 

LCDR 

SKCM 

YN2 

MEC 

CDR 

CDR 

MK1 

LCDR 

BMC 

CDR 

DCC 

AMTC 

CDR 

GMC 

ENG2 

CAPT 

CDR 

CDR 

CDR 

CS1 

DC1 

CSC 

SK2 

CDR 

YN3 

OS1 

MLES3 

CDR 





















































RETIREMENTS 


71


RETIREMENTS 

NELSON, SCOTT 

NEWBY, VANCE 

NEWMAN, SEAN 

NIEMANN, KEIDI 

NORMAN, CARA 

NORMAN, HEATHER 

NOWAKOWSKI, CRAIG 

OGG, ANDERSON 

OKELLY, PATRICK 

OLDHAM, MELVIN 

ORIZABAL, HALI 

OYLER, JASON 

PASKIEVICH, STEPHEN 

PATCH, STEVEN 

PAVLIK, CHRISTOPHER 

PAXTON, RICHARD 

PEARCEY, JACOB 

PENOYER, BRIAN 

PEREZ, JUAN 

PEREZ, VINCENT 

PEREZ, CARLOS 

PESCUMA, GREGG 

PHILLIPS, MICAH 

PHILLIPS, JOSHUA 

PHIPPS, BENJAMIN 

PIBER, MARK 

PIERCE, WILLIAM 

PIERCE, STEPHEN 

PINEDA, JESSE 

BM2 

ITC 

BM1 

LCDR 

CDR 

MSTCM 

LT 

LCDR 

GMCM 

MK1 

BM3 

AMT1 

MSSE2 

AETC 

AMT3 

GM3 

MST3 

RADM 

HSCM 

MKCS 

PERS2 

BOSN3 

ETC 

ISM2 

DVC 

CDR 

BMCM 

BM2 

OS1 






























PIQUE, GUILLAUME 

POLDINO, MICHELLE 

PORTO, JORGE 

POTTER, JAMES 

POWELL, MICAH 

PRICE, MARSHALL 

PROUT, COREY 

PROVOYEUR, AUSTIN 

PUBLIK, RICHARD 

PURSE, DANIEL 

QUIGLEY, KEVIN 

RATTRIE, JAMES 

RAY, BRADLEY 

REAVES, PHILLIP 

REED, CHARLES 

REED, JEREMY 

REED, REBECCA 

REESE, BRANDI 

RISNER, ERIC 

RIVERA, JAVIER 

ROBERTS, RICHARD 

ROCKOWITZ, BRIAN 

RODGERS, BRIAN 

RODRIGUEZ, LUIS 

ROETERS, PETER 

ROSA, RAYMOND 

ROSS, STEVEN 

ROWAN, MICHAEL 

ROYES, GLENN 

RUOCCO, GENNARO 

RUTLEDGE, JAMES 

SADULSKI, JARROD 

SAMUEL, KARRENA 

SANDERS, AYUMI 

SANTIAGO, YAMIL 

SANTOS, STEVEN 

SCHALLAU, JOHN 

SCHAUMBURG, JASON 

SCHICHTEL, RICHARD 

SCHLUBATIS, TYLER 

SCOTT, ROY 

SCOTT, JEFFREY 

SEAVEY, MARK 

SEITZ, JOHN 

SEYMOUR, RYAN 

SHAW, TERENCE 

SHELLEY, STEPHEN 

SHELLY, NICHOLAS 

SHEPHERD, DENVER 

SHERMAN, AMANDA 

SHIER, MATTHEW 

DCC 

ME1 

CDR 

AET3 

YN3 

ENG3 

MK1 

MK2 

EMCM 

MST2 

MEC 

AVI3 

BM1 

MAT4 

LCDR 

AET2 

OS1 

OS2 

BMCM 

INV2 

CAPT 

GMC 

YN1 

SK1 

BM2 

MK2 

OS1 

CSCM 

HSCM 

CAPT 

ELC4 

BOSN2 

CS2 

YNCS 

ET1 

ENG4 

CDR 

LCDR 

BMC 

MEC 

SK1 

EM1 

LCDR 

LCDR 

LCDR 

SK1 

GMC 

ENG2 

BM1 

HS1 

AMT3 





















































THE LONG BLUE LINE

RETIREMENTS 

SHIRLEY, MCKENZIE 

SIMPSON, STEVEN 

SISSON, LEON 

SKEEN, STEVEN 

SKWAREK, VINCENT 

SLOTTER, ZACHARY 

SLYMAN, PAUL 

SMITH, BENJAMIN 

SMITH, SHANNON 

SMITH, DEREK 

SMITH, JACK 

SMITH, GREGORY 

SMOOT, ADAM 

SMYTH, GABRIELLA 

SNAPP, BRANDY 

SNYDER, JESSICA 

SOTO-MORALES, ZENIA 

SPEAKS, KEVIN 

STAFFORD, CHRISTOPHER 

STARKEY, ZACHARY 

STELNICKI, JENNIFER 

STIEFEL, MARIA 

STIPPEL, WALKER 

STUART, IAN 

PERS2 

EMC 

ET1 

MST1 

CAPT 

EM1 

CDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

LCDR 

ISS3 

MKCS 

LCDR 

SKC 

LCDR 

HSC 

SK1 

ET1 

YN3 

LTJG 

LCDR 

BMC 

IV1 

























STUETZ, BRADLEY 

STURTZ, NATHAN 

SYCHRA, EDWARD 

SYKES, HERMAN 

TANKERSLEY, KENNETH 

TARPLEY, TRAVIS 

TARRANT, STANLEY 

TAYLOR, BROCK 

TAYLOR, CHRISSY 

TEST, CHRISTINE 

THIESSEN, MATTHEW 

THORNBURG, TERRANCE 

THORPE, ERIN 

TOLEDO, JAVIER 

TOLLEY, BRAD 

TORRES, PABLO 

TRACY, JOHN 

TREMBLE, SETH 

TREVINO, ROBERTO 

TUCKER, SARAH 

TURNER, COLIN 

TURNER, TONY 

TYSOR, RYAN 

URIBARRI, MIGUEL 


OS1 

OSCS 

AMT1 

SK1 

SKC 

ETC 

LT 

BM1 

INV2 

BM1 

ASTCS 

YN2 

LCDR 

OS2 

ETC 

HS1 

BMCM 

LCDR 

CDR 

YN2 

CDR 

MKCS 

AMTC 

ISM2 


























73


VELEZ, MARK 

VERA, ALCIDES 

VIDAL, GIANCARLO 

VINCENZI, TED 

WADE, PHILIP 

WAECHTER, JONATHON 

WALSH, BRENT 

WALTHER, JOHN 

WARD, BRIAN 

WARE, JAIME 

WASHKO, CHARITY 

WEBB, SHANE 

WEBER, MATTHEW 

WEIMERSKIRCH, ADAM 

! 

ARGIROPOULOS, EFTHEMIOS 

AVERY, DAMIEN 

BASHAY, RICHARD 

BLACKSHEAR, SHAWN 

BUSH, ANNETTE 

CAIN, BRUTRINIA 

CANTIN, LORI 

CARR, JAMES 

SKC 

YN1 

MSSD3 

ET1 

LCDR 

LCDR 

BM1 

MEC 

LCDR 

LCDR 

HS1 

DC3 

CDR 

WEPS3 















WELLS, HUBERT 

WELSH, DAVID 

WIGGINS, ANTHONY 

WILLIAMS, SCOTT 

WILLIAMS, TINA 

WILSON, DANIELLE 

WIMBERLEY, JAMES 

WINANS, BRADLY 

WITHINGTON, AARON 

WITTERSCHEIN, RYAN 

WOLFE, CLIFFTON 

WOLFE, MICAH 

WOODWARD, SCOTT 

WOOTTON, JEFFREY 

MSSD4 

MECS 

GMCS 

LCDR 

SK1 

GM2 

CDR 

CDR 

AETC 

MSTC 

F&S2 

BM3 

BOSN4 

EMC 

USCG & USPHS are addressing errors in USPHS ranks due to differences in permanent and temporary ranks. Corrected 

ranks are denoted with an asterisk. 

USPHS 

LCDR 

CDR 

CDR 

LCDR 

LCDR 

CDR 

CAPT 

CDR 









CUNNINGHAM, PATRICK 

DUBREUIL, ELISA 

DULAIGH, JOEL 

EAKER, CHRISTINA 

EBERT, JAMES 

EPLING, NATHAN 

EUBANKS, JUSTIN 

FASIPE, OLALERE 

CDR 

CDR 

CAPT 

CDR 

CAPT 

CDR 

LT 

LCDR 
























THE LONG BLUE LINE

FOOTE, JASON 

GENTILE, MARC 

GONZALEZ, MELISSA 

HALE, MARGARET 

HARGRAVE, SCOTTY 

HARRELL, MALAYSIA 

HEFFELFINGER, JAMES 

HOLTZ, TIMOTHY 

HUDSON, KIMMINE 

JONES, LAURIE 

JUNG, CONNIE 

KIM, DAVID 

KING, DEBRA 

KROK, MICHAEL 

LIGON, LETICH 

LUGO, ALFRED 

MACHON, CHRISTINE 

MARCUS, DANIEL 

MARNELL, BENJAMIN 

MCDOWELL, MARK 

BELL, EMILY 

NOAA 

CHROBAK, NICHOLAS 

HILLSTROM, BRIANA 

CDR 

LCDR 

LCDR 

CDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

RADM 

CDR 

CDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CDR 

LCDR 

CDR 

CDR 

CDR 

LCDR 

CDR 

CAPT 

LT 

CAPT 

CDR 
























MCMAHAN, SEAN 

MIRAMONTES, ROQUE 

MOENY, DAVID 

MOORE, LORI 

MORRIS, JOSEPH 

NICHOLSON, MARLENE 

ODURO, ERIC 

PLOTT, JUSTIN 

PROVOST, ALOIS 

RICKS, MADIA 

SCHUCHARDT, JON 

SHAFFER, SUSAN 

SHERWOOD, SHATARA 

SHOFFNER, DAVID 

TANNER, CANDACE 

TILLMAN, JILL 

TRINIDAD, SARAH 

VANDER HEY-WRIGHT, JAYNE 

WILLIARD, MARY 

YOUNG, ELISE 

NARDI, MATTHEW 

TOTH, NICHOLAS 

COAST GUARD TRANSITION ASSISTANCE 

PROGRAM (TAP) 


CDR 

LCDR 



TAP prepares Service Members separating or retiring from the Coast Guard for their transition to 

civilian life. All eligible SMs are required to complete the standardized components of the TAP. 

These components are 1) Pre-separation Counseling and 2) the Transition Seminar, encompassing 

the Transition Goals, Plans, and Success (GPS) core curriculum. 

dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Human-Resources-CG-1/Health- 

Safety-and-Work-Life-CG-11/Office-of-Work-Life-CG-111/Transition-Assistance-Program/ 

LCDR 

CDR 

CAPT 

CDR 

CDR 

CDR 

LCDR 

LCDR 

CDR 

CDR 

CAPT 

CDR 

LCDR 

CAPT 

LT 

CDR 

CAPT 

CDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 





















TRYING TO CONNECT WITH A FELLOW 

USCG, USPHS, OR NOAA RETIREE? 

If you need help connecting with a USCG, USPHS, or NOAA 

retiree, you may provide the individual’s name (and rank/ 

paygrade if known), along with your contact information to: 

Robert Hinds, CG Retiree Services 

e-mail: Robert.C.Hinds@uscg.mil 

phone: 202-475-5451 

(An attempt to contact the individual and provide 

your contact information will be made by email) 

DO NOT SEND PERSONAL IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION (PII), SUCH 

AS SSN, EMPID, THROUGH PUBLIC E-MAIL (E.G. AOL, G-MAIL, ETC.) 

RETIREMENTS 


75

TAPS 

TAPS 

DEPENDENT TAPS: To place a Dependent TAPS notice in The Retiree Newsletter, provide the dependent’s 

name, relationship to retiree, date of passing, and city/state to Robert Hinds at: Robert.C.Hinds@uscg.mil or 

phone: 202-475-5451. 

USCG 

ANDERSON, JEROME 

MOORE, OK 

FSCM 

RET. 09-01-1982 

TAPS 03-23-2024 

BASINS, DAVID 

ROCK HILL, SC 

MK2 

RET. 02-15-2010 



ANDERSON, SCOTT 

PENSACOLA, FL 

ANDERSON, WILLIAM 

BELLEVUE, WA 

ARECCHI, ARCANGELO 

HARRISONBURG, VA 

ARSENEAU, LARRY 

BATTLE GROUND, WA 

ASCHE, GEORGE 

Green River, WY 

AUMILLER, FORD 

MEDFORD, NY 

BAILEY, JAMES 

PARKER, FL 

BAKER, BENJAMIN 

SOUTH DARTMOUTH, MA 

BALSLEY, HENRY 

UNION, ME 

BARON, GEORGE 

PORT ANGELES, WA 

BARRIER, MICHAEL 

PEMBROKE PINES, FL 

YN2 

CAPT 

CAPT 

RMC 

CAPT 

CWO3 

CDR 

CAPT 

MKCS 

AD1 

LCDR 

RET. 12-22-2004 


RET. 08-01-1988 


RET. 09-01-1988 


RET. 05-22-1980 


RET. 12-01-1981 


RET. 08-01-1974 


RET. 12-05-1989 


RET. 07-01-1999 


RET. 10-01-1985 


RET. 11-01-1974 


RET. 02-01-1989 


BISSONNETTE, VICTOR 

GARDNER, MA 

BLACKBURN, ARTHUR 

OVERBROOK, KS 

BLACKFORD, RICHARD 

WASHINGTON, DC 

BOLAND, WILLIAM 

HONOLULU, HI 

BOUDREAUX, KIRBY 

BOGALUSA, LA 

BOWDEN, PATRICIA 

CAMP HILL, PA 

BOWDLER, GEORGE 

SAN DIEGO, CA 

BOWMAN, PETER 

FREDRICK, MD 

BRILLARD, LUCIAN 

DOVER, NH 

BRITTAIN, CHARLES 

BAYVILLE, NJ 

BROOKS, RONALD 

BROKEN ARROW, OK 

CWO3 

MKCM 

CDR 

CAPT 

MK2 

OSC 

MKC 

DC2 

CS2 

BM2 

BMCM 

RET. 09-01-1985 


RET. 06-01-1980 


RET. 08-01-1976 


RET. 07-01-1997 


RET. 06-13-2017 


RET. 11-01-2010 


RET. 04-01-1985 


RET. 07-02-1962 


RET. 02-01-1972 


RET. 03-07-2003 


RET. 08-01-1977 



THE LONG BLUE LINE

BRUSENHAN, JAMES 

BLACKLICK, OH 

AMT1 

RET. 09-01-2000 


DALLAS, HENRY 

MIRAMAR, FL 

AE1 

RET. 12-01-1994 


TAPS 

BURIANEK, LADDIE 

ST CLAIR SHORES, MI 

FSC 

RET. 05-19-1997 


DECKER, ROBERT 

SAHUARITA, AZ 

ET1 

RET. 08-20-2004 


CALLAWAY, CHARLES 

BURGESS, VA 

PSCM 

RET. 04-01-1998 


DELANO, CHARLES 

LYNNWOOD, WA 

SKC 

RET. 08-01-1977 


CANNON, JAMES 

CHESAPEAKE, VA 

CDR 

RET. 10-01-2016 


DICKSON, STEVEN 

RIDGE, NY 

MECS 

RET. 06-27-2015 


CARLIN, TIMOTHY 

ST PETERSBURG, FL 

MSTCM 

RET. 07-01-1999 


DIEMER, EARL 

BUSHNELL, FL 

BM1 

RET. 03-05-2002 


CARNEY, ALTON 

OAK CITY, NC 

F&S4 

RET. 12-01-1993 


DIEROLF, CHARLES 

ORLANDO, FL 

CWO4 

RET. 05-01-1979 


CARNEY, DANIEL 

LEONARDTOWN, MD 

CDR 

RET. 08-01-1992 


DIPPEL, DONALD 

DESTREHAN, LA 

RMCS 

RET. 07-01-1989 


CARY, RAYMOND 

NEW ORLEANS, LA 

FS1 

RET. 04-01-1973 


DOOLITTLE, WALTER 

RENTON, WA 

MKC 

RET. 05-21-2000 


CASH, BRUCE 

WILMINGTON, NC 

AMCM 

RET. 11-01-1999 


DUNLAP, RONALD 

Hudson, FL 

FS1 

RET. 09-20-1994 


CASTLE, EARL 

LYNNWOOD, WA 

CAUDILL, NANCY 

Portsmouth, VA 

CHACE, STEWART 

VILLAS, NJ 

CLEMENTSON, CONRAD 

BEND, OR 

CONDREY, DAVID 

PORT CHARLOTTE, FL 

CONKLIN, GEORGE 

FIREBAUGH, CA 

CONNELL, RONALD 

NEWARK, DE 

COPIN, RAYMOND 

REDMOND, WA 

CORTINAS, PEDRO 

AUSTIN, TX 

COUNCIL, ROBERT 

PERALTA, NM 

CRAWFORD, JAMES 

CHARLOTTE, NC 

MED4 

YN2 

SA 

ENG4 

DCC 

HSC 

MKC 

CAPT 

YNC 

LCDR 

BMC 

RET. 06-12-1993 


RET. 12-07-1999 


RET. 05-27-1969 


RET. 12-05-1998 


RET. 03-01-1981 


RET. 10-01-1990 


RET. 02-01-1982 


RET. 07-01-1984 


RET. 06-01-1987 


RET. 03-01-1986 


RET. 04-01-1985 


DYKES, GREGORY 

FORT MYERS, FL 

ELLISON, JEFFREY 

MECHANICSBURG, PA 

ELMORE, RONALD 

PITTSBURG, CA 

ENGELKE, JAMES 

ISSAQUAH, WA 

EVANS, ROGER 

ST LOUIS, MO 

FARGNOLI, ANTHONY 

ROCHESTER, NY 

FAUST, WILLIAM 

LONGMONT, CO 

FIECK, ROBERT 

KIMBERLY, WI 

FISCHER, JEROME 

BENSALEM, PA 

FLAMION, RONALD 

BERTHOUD, CO 

FLETCHER, ROBERT 

AUDUBON, PA 

SA 

LCDR 

MKC 

MKC 

CAPT 

BMCM 

BOSN2 

BMCM 

BM1 

HSC 

CDR 

RET. 01-04-1967 


RET. 01-01-1993 


RET. 10-01-1979 


RET. 08-31-1994 


RET. 08-01-1999 


RET. 02-01-1973 


RET. 03-01-1994 


RET. 11-01-1985 


RET. 05-01-1968 


RET. 06-01-2000 


RET. 09-01-1971 




77


TAPS 

FOGERSON, LARRY 

REDDING, CA 

FRYS, RONALD 

BALTIMORE, MD 

GARCIA, VALERIANO 

STATEN ISLAND, NY 

GARIBAY, DAVID 

SAN DIEGO, CA 

GARNER, GEORGE 

MIDLOTHIAN, VA 

GESSNER, REINHOLD 

SUMMERFIELD, FL 

GIRARD, ROBERT 

HENNEPIN, IL 

GORANSON, JOSEPH 

LAKE MARY, FL 

GORAS, JOHN 

LONGMONT, CO 

GRACE, WILLIAM 

SOUTH THOMASTON, ME 

GRAHAM, RICHARD 

MILLBROOK, AL 

CAPT 

EM1 

FS1 

PS1 

PS1 

YNC 

PYA4 

OS1 

LTJG 

ENG2 

CDR 

RET. 12-09-2005 


RET. 11-01-1978 


RET. 01-01-1977 


RET. 07-31-2011 


RET. 04-05-2006 


RET. 09-01-1980 


RET. 08-30-2002 


RET. 11-26-2011 


RET. 03-29-1967 


RET. 08-01-2008 


RET. 06-01-1979 


GRAY, CURTIS 

BUDA, TX 

GRAY, ERNEST 

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 

GREGORIO, ERNESTO 

FREMONT, CA 

GRIMM, JOHN 

HERSHEY, PA 

GRUNDMAN, FRANK 


HALL, WILLIAM L 

DOUGLAS, GA 

HAMMOND, LEROY 

HUNTINGTON BCH, CA 

HANER, TERRANCE 

HAMPTON, VA 

HANISCO, WILBURT 

HERNANDO, MS 

HANNA, JAMES 

SLIDELL, LA 

HARPER, ROY 

OKEECHOBEE, FL 

LT 

ETCS 

HSC 

BT3 

CDR 

FS1 

AT1 

BMC 

SK2 

ETC 

BM1 

RET. 09-01-1995 


RET. 07-31-1996 


RET. 07-01-1976 


RET. 07-01-1956 


RET. 07-01-1979 


RET. 02-01-1977 


RET. 06-07-1960 


RET. 12-01-2012 


RET. 10-15-1995 


RET. 06-01-1997 


RET. 01-01-1984 



THE LONG BLUE LINE

HARRISON, PAUL 

LAUREL HILL, FL 

ENG2 

RET. 11-01-2009 


JOHNSON, PHILLIP 

SEATTLE, WA 

LCDR 

RET. 11-08-2004 


TAPS 

HASSARD, ROGER 

SUN CITY CNTR, FL 

CDR 

RET. 02-01-1985 


JONES, FRANKIE 

RICHMOND, VA 

RM1 

RET. 08-01-1993 


HAYES, WARREN 

HANOVER, MA 

CDR 

RET. 02-05-1991 


JONES, WILLIAM 

STEVENSVILLE, MD 

CDR 

RET. 10-01-1982 


HAYMAN, ROBERT 

METAIRIE, LA 

BMC 

RET. 09-01-1975 


KAY, GEORGE 

SPRING BRANCH, TX 

MKC 

RET. 07-01-1982 


HENDERSON, CORVIN 

PASCO, WA 

BM1 

RET. 10-01-1975 


KEARLEY, BENNIE 

SEATTLE, WA 

QMCM 

RET. 10-01-1975 


HENKEL, CLYDE 

NEW CANTON, VA 

LCDR 

RET. 10-01-1989 


KELLER, TOMMY 

MOYOCK, NC 

SKCM 

RET. 04-01-1999 


HERBERT, THOMAS 

SAN JOSE, CA 

CDR 

RET. 11-04-2000 


KIMMONS, KEITH 

TALLAHASSEE, FL 

FS1 

RET. 10-01-2016 


HERNANDEZ, ERNESTO 

KILLEEN, TX 

RM1 

RET. 06-01-1989 


KIRWAN, ARTHUR 

ALACHUA, FL 

LCDR 

RET. 03-31-2004 


HERNDON, KENNETH 

MARRERO, LA 

EMCM 

RET. 11-01-1977 


KMIECIK, GREGORY 

ALEXANDRIA, VA 

CDR 

RET. 10-01-2001 


HEYD, STEPHEN 

LITTLE ROCK, AR 

HOFFMAN, FRANKLIN 

HONOLULU, HI 

HORN, ALBERT 

CAROLINA BEACH, NC 

HOWELL, JACK 

RALEIGH, NC 

HUFFMAN, WAYNE 

SAN DIEGO, CA 

HUGHES, ROBERT 

GRAND MARAIS, MI 

IBLINGS, JACKSON 

ENCINO, CA 

ING, DAVID 

MILAN, TN 

INGRAM, DANNY 

ANNISTON, AL 

JACKSON, DANIEL 

THOMPSONS STATION, TN 

JACOBS, JOSEPH 

Longview, TX 

PO1 

CAPT 

YNC 

CAPT 

AD1 

CWO4 

CDR 

IT1 

AMC 

F&S3 

CDR 

RET. 06-01-1995 


RET. 08-05-2005 


RET. 07-01-1984 


RET. 02-01-1980 


RET. 10-01-1985 


RET. 05-01-1982 


RET. 01-03-1997 


RET. 05-01-2022 


RET. 12-01-1988 


RET. 03-12-2011 


RET. 01-01-2003 


KNOWLES, ADAM 

N FT MYERS, FL 

KRAMER, ALVIN 

MOSINEE, WI 

KREFT, ERIK 

KINGMAN, AZ 

KRUPA, JOHN 

POTOMAC, MD 

KUHANECK, THOMAS 

ST LEONARD, MD 

LAGERLOF, PAUL 

LAKE GENEVA, WI 

LAMB, PAUL 

IRVING, TX 

LANDYE, JAMES 

MESILLA PARK, NM 

LAWSON, TAMERA 

NORTH PLAINFIELD, NJ 

LEE, LAUCHLIN 

ZEBULON, NC 

LEMOINE, NORMAN 

MELBOURNE, FL 

FSCS 

RMC 

ET1 

CAPT 

LCDR 

CDR 

CDR 

F&S4 

YN1 

CWO3 

CWO3 

RET. 09-01-2005 


RET. 10-01-1974 


RET. 05-21-2010 


RET. 07-01-2006 


RET. 06-01-2002 


RET. 06-01-1991 


RET. 08-01-1972 


RET. 05-02-2004 


RET. 06-01-2023 


RET. 11-01-1981 


RET. 09-01-1982 




79

TAPS 

LEONARD, EDWARD 

Rochester, NH 

PSCS 

RET. 11-10-1998 


LUDLOW, JOHNNY 

EL PASO, TX 

PAC 

RET. 07-30-2000 


LEVY, LOUIE 

EUGENE, OR 

ASMCM 

RET. 05-01-1983 


LUPER, DOUGLAS 

CAPE CARTERET, NC 

BOSN4 

RET. 11-01-2010 


LEWIS, JACK 

Newport, TN 

BMCS 

RET. 08-01-1990 


MACARA, MANUEL 

NORTH TRURO, MA 

CWO4 

RET. 11-01-1978 


LILLIE, CHRISTOPHER 

MARIETTA, GA 

CDR 

RET. 06-01-2000 


MAGILL, DONALD 

PUXICO, MO 

FSC 

RET. 10-01-1979 


LITTEN, MARK 

DENVER, CO 

HS1 

RET. 09-01-2005 


MANNING, BRADFORD 

SPOKANE, WA 

PS1 

RET. 01-12-2004 


LONG, JOSEPHINE 

DENVER, CO 

LCDR 

RET. 07-01-2020 


MANWELL, TERRY 

SAGINAW, MI 

LT 

RET. 09-19-2006 


LOOKABILL, GUY 

GOOSE CREEK, SC 

MK1 

RET. 04-27-1998 

TAPS 12-31-2023 

MARSH, JACK 

ASHEBORO, NC 

MST1 

RET. 08-11-1971 


LOPEZ, ARTURO 

HARLINGEN, TX 

BOSN3 

RET. 02-01-1993 


MATHURIN, LEO 

WARWICK, RI 

BMCS 

RET. 04-01-1996 


LOPEZ, RAY 

JACKSONVILLE, FL 

HS1 

RET. 07-01-2013 


MAURER, DONALD 

DOVER, NH 

DC1 

RET. 01-27-1994 



LOWRY, WILLIAM 

MELBOURNE, FL 

LUCKOW, WR 

SMITHTON, MO 

DC1 

IV1 

RET. 08-01-1975 


RET. 11-18-2002 


MAXIM, JOHN 

ASHBURNHAM, MA 

MCAFEE, CLYDE 

TEMPLE, TX 

MCBRIDE, RICHARD 

DAYTON, OH 

MCCOY, ROYCE 

WASILLA, AK 

MCFADDEN, DOUGLAS 

SARASOTA, FL 

MCHUGH, DAVID 

S PORTLAND, ME 

MCINTYRE, MICHAEL 

WESTFIELD, NJ 

MEADOWS, JAMES 

NEWPORT, NC 

MEIER, FREDERICK 

NORTH COLLINGS, NY 

MENGE, DAVID 

COLCHESTER, CT 

MIDGETT, DAVID 

ALBUQUERQUE, NM 

SKC 

AT1 

CAPT 

EMCS 

CDR 

LCDR 

CDR 

BMCM 

DCCM 

ETCM 

FS1 

RET. 09-01-1999 


RET. 09-01-1996 


RET. 07-01-1988 


RET. 07-01-2001 


RET. 02-01-1994 


RET. 10-15-1996 


RET. 04-30-1996 


RET. 01-09-1999 


RET. 11-01-1985 


RET. 08-01-1985 


RET. 07-01-1991 



THE LONG BLUE LINE

MILLIGAN, PAUL 

WOODBRIDGE, VA 

CDR 

RET. 07-01-1989 


PARKER, ALFRED 

GREENWICH, CT 

CAPT 

RET. 07-01-1988 


TAPS 

MITCHELL, JERRY 

HARRISON, TN 

FSC 

RET. 03-11-1999 


PATTERSON, BRUCE 

QUAKERHILL, CT 

CDR 

RET. 07-01-1979 


MOORE, LARRY 

ELIZABETH CITY, NC 

YNC 

RET. 10-01-1997 


PATTERSON, MARK 

GERMANTOWN, TN 

TC1 

RET. 09-01-1999 


MOORE, ODEL 

ELIZABETH CITY, NC 

ADCS 

RET. 08-01-1978 


PHILLIPS, JOHN 

CAPTE ELIZABETH, ME 

CAPT 

RET. 08-01-1976 


MURRAY, GLENN 

PALM COAST, FL 

SK1 

RET. 03-01-1994 


PICKUP, RONALD 

SELBYVILLE, DE 

CAPT 

RET. 07-01-1987 


MUTTER, MICHAEL 

DORAL, FL 

FS2 

RET. 11-01-2001 


PRINCE, RICHARD 

QUINEBAUG, CT 

CDR 

RET. 07-01-1997 


MYERS, WILLIAM 

CHELSEA, ME 

FS1 

RET. 10-01-2002 


PRINGLE, JAMES 

Poway, CA 

ETC 

RET. 05-30-2024 


NARDO, SAMUEL 

ERIE, PA 

ADCS 

RET. 11-01-1984 


PYCHA, JAMES 

KILAUEA, HI 

LCDR 

RET. 12-31-2004 


NEBLETT, NATHANIEL 

LAWRENCEVILLE, VA 

CDR 

RET. 07-22-1996 


RAINVILLE, RICHARD 

E FALMOUTH, MA 

CWO4 

RET. 08-01-1988 


NICHOLS, ROBERT 

ROUND ROCK, TX 

NIKIRK, JAMES 

OAKLAND, OR 

NORRIS, BILLY 

SAULT STE MARIE, MI 

OBERN, JOHN 

GOLDEN VALLEY, MN 

OCHS, JOHN 

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA 

OCONNELL, JOSEPH 

ALEXANDRIA, VA 

ODONNELL, CONRAD 

PORT ORCHARD, WA 

OPFERMAN, BERNARD 

DULUTH, MN 

OTOOLE, DANIEL 

GERMANTOWN, WI 

OWENS, ROY 

CHARLESTON, SC 

PADGETT, DALE 

COVINGTON, LA 

COMM4 

YNCS 

MKCM 

PSC 

CDR 

LCDR 

YN1 

CWO3 

PSC 

SK1 

MK2 

RET. 07-01-1992 


RET. 07-01-1984 


RET. 05-01-1975 


RET. 10-21-2001 


RET. 02-01-2002 


RET. 03-01-1981 


RET. 09-01-1979 


RET. 10-01-1984 


RET. 01-17-2001 


RET. 08-28-1995 


RET. 09-02-2009 


RANSOM, HAROLD 

TACOMA, WA 

RAYMOND, LARRY 

CUT OFF, LA 

REICHL, DAVID 

SEQUIM, WA 

REID, ROBERT 

OCEANSIDE, CA 

REPP, RICHARD 

GULF BREEZE, FL 

RICHARDS, RALPH 

SUNBRIGHT, TN 

RICHARDSON, GREGG 

SAN ANTONIO, TX 

RITCHIE, BILLY 

PIEDMONT, OK 

ROBERTS, WILLIAM 

ROCHESTER, NH 

ROBINSON, MICHAEL 

STURGIS, SD 

ROMINE, BYRON 

CHANTILLY, VA 

CDR 

PSCS 

CAPT 

SOCM 

BMCM 

BMC 

PS2 

QMCM 

SN 

ELC4 

CDR 

RET. 02-01-1994 


RET. 09-21-2006 


RET. 07-01-1997 


RET. 03-01-1971 


RET. 03-01-1980 


RET. 07-01-1999 


RET. 01-02-2010 


RET. 04-01-1977 


RET. 11-14-1985 


RET. 10-01-1990 


RET. 08-01-1981 




81

TAPS 

RUBINO, SEAN 

KOKIAK, AK 

BM1 

RET. 06-11-2022 


SHAFFER, NORMAN 

GUYS MILLS, PA 

CWO2 

RET. 12-01-1970 


RUMPCA, DUANE 

CHEBOYGAN, MI 

LCDR 

RET. 08-01-1999 


SHAFOVALOFF, JAMES 

STAFFORD, VA 

CDR 

RET. 07-01-1997 


SALAGUINTO, DAVID 

ALCALA, PANGAS 

AEC 

RET. 11-01-1980 


SHAPIRO, MARVIN 

ROSWELL, GA 

FS1 

RET. 11-01-2000 


SAMPONT, GERALD 

GREEN VALLEY, AZ 

LCDR 

RET. 07-03-2004 


SHEEHAN, KEVIN 

HERTFORD, NC 

LCDR 

RET. 07-01-2006 


SAUNDERS, WILLIAM 

COLLEGE PLACE, WA 

CWO3 

RET. 04-01-1975 


SHORTER, EUGENE 

CATAWBA, SC 

EMCS 

RET. 11-01-1976 


SCHMIDT, ROGER 

WOODLAND, WA 

QMC 

RET. 07-01-1992 


SINGLETON, HENRY 

CHESTER, VA 

BMC 

RET. 02-01-2003 


SCHOEL, RICHARD 

SEQUIM, WA 

CDR 

RET. 01-01-1983 


SMITH, JOSEPH 

PORT ST LUCIE, FL 

CDR 

RET. 03-07-1986 


SCHOFIELD, GERALD 

SPOKANE, WA 

GM1 

RET. 06-01-1976 


SMITH, MICHAEL 

MANNING, SC 

BMC 

RET. 04-01-1976 


SCHWADER, JAMES 

Hudson, FL 

AVI4 

RET. 02-01-2018 


SMITH, SCOTT 

GREENCASTLE, IN 

MKC 

RET. 07-01-1996 



SCOTT, DONALD 

CHESAPEAKE, VA 

SELISSEN, RICHARD 

EAST JORDAN, MI 

PSCS 

BMCS 

RET. 08-15-1995 


RET. 12-01-1977 


SPEAKER, GERALD 

BROWNSVILLE, TX 

STEFANISIN, KENNETH 

PHOENIX, AZ 

STELL, DOUGLAS 

RICHMOND, VA 

STITT, ROBERT 

CLEARLAKE OAKS, CA 

STOUTAMIRE, CONRAD 

MOBILE, AL 

STROMBERG, GERARD 

MUKILTEO, WA 

SUITER, ALBERT 

BETHALTO, IL 

SUMMERS, CHARLES 

SEMMES, AL 

SWANSON, PETER 

PORTSMOUTH, VA 

SWINSON, STEVEN 

ROCKVILLE, VA 

THOMPSON, EVAN 

MARTINSBURG, WV 

RMC 

CAPT 

PSCM 

RMCM 

FSC 

BMC 

CWO3 

ET1 

BMC 

EM3 

HS1 

RET. 11-01-1986 


RET. 07-16-2014 


RET. 12-31-2009 


RET. 12-28-1984 


RET. 06-01-2010 


RET. 08-20-2001 


RET. 04-01-1982 


RET. 10-01-1995 


RET. 07-01-1989 


RET. 02-02-1977 


RET. 09-01-2014 



THE LONG BLUE LINE

THOMPSON, JAMES 

FAIRFIELD, CA 

BMC 

RET. 11-01-1978 


WELSH, MYRON 

BRANDON, MS 

CAPT 

RET. 09-08-1979 


TAPS 

THORNTON, DONALD 

CHINCOTEAGUE, VA 

TTCS 

RET. 10-01-1975 


WHITTINGTON, JAMES 

JENNINGS, LA 

MK1 

RET. 09-01-2008 


TURNER, WILLIAM 

WARNER ROBINS, GA 

OSC 

RET. 06-10-2005 


WIENCKOWSKI, GEORGE 

SIMI VALLEY, CA 

EM3 

RET. 08-29-1968 


VANDRE, STUART 

TAVARES, FL 

BMC 

RET. 05-01-1987 


WILEY, JOSEPH 

EDISON, GA 

ADC 

RET. 06-01-1978 


VANGORDEN, ROBERT 

MADISON, ME 

BMC 

RET. 08-01-1997 


WILLIS, JACK 

SAVANNAH, GA 

PS1 

RET. 06-28-2007 


VANKREGTEN, ROBERT 

VANCOUVER, WA 

TTCS 

RET. 08-01-1977 


WILSHIRE, DANIEL 

GLENDORA, CA 

CDR 

RET. 06-24-2001 


VERGARA, MARIO 

RALEIGH, NC 

EMCS 

RET. 07-01-1991 


WILSON, SWAIN 

HONOLULU, HI 

CAPT 

RET. 04-01-1981 


VIERA, RICHARD 

BROWNSVILLE, TX 

CDR 

RET. 11-01-1995 


WISE, RICHARD 

LANDSDOWNE, VA 

CDR 

RET. 08-01-1975 


WELLS, WILLIAM 

MARTINEZ, GA 

GMCM 

RET. 11-01-1984 


WULFF, WILHELM 

APTOS, CA 

CAPT 

RET. 07-01-1988 


WELSCH, CHARLES 

EAGLE, ID 

PSS3 

RET. 04-07-2005 


YARBOUR, HOWARD 

LEAVENWORTH, KS 

MKC 

RET. 09-01-2009 


USPHS 

BARNUM, RAYMOND 

TULSA, OK 

BECK, THOMAS 

BLUFF, UT 

BUCHTEL, JAMES 

BATON ROUGE, LA 

CAMPBELL, CARLOS 

ORO VALLEY, AZ 

CAUSEY, RALPH 

SAN ANTONIO, TX 

CAUTHEN, GEORGE 

DULUTH, GA 

COOK, CHARLES 

SANTA MARIA, CA 

COUGHLIN, LORETTA 

Washington, DC 

DENNIS, BARBARA 

CHAPEL HILL, NC 

CDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CDR 

CDR 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

RET. 02-01-1991 


RET. 01-01-2003 


RET. 07-01-1980 


RET. 01-01-1996 


RET. 05-01-1988 


RET. 07-01-2000 


RET. 07-01-1991 


RET. 01-01-1994 


RET. 12-01-1989 


DOHNER, VIRDEN 

WICHITA, KS 

DUNCAN, DAVID 

FLAGSTAFF, AZ 

EVANS, CELESTE 

JUPITER, FL 

FORSEE, DONALD 

FLOYDS KNOBS, IN 

HALLISEY, ROBERT 

NEWBURY, NH 

KLAENE, THOMAS 

AUGUSTA, KY 

KRISPINSKY, PAUL 

SANTA FE, NM 

LEWIS, WAUKOMIS 

CLAREMORE, OK 

MCFARLAND, HENRY 

EXETER, NH 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CAPT 

CDR 

CDR 

CAPT 

RET. 07-01-1984 


RET. 10-01-1988 


RET. 09-01-1990 


RET. 06-01-2002 


RET. 10-01-1980 


RET. 09-01-1998 


RET. 02-01-2009 


RET. 07-01-1994 


RET. 01-01-1999 




83

TAPS 

MORRILL, GERALD 

NOVATO, CA 

CAPT 

RET. 07-01-1979 


ROBINS, PATRICE 

LAUREL, MD 

CAPT 

RET. 03-01-2000 


NILSSON, NEIL 

MILWAUKEE, OR 

CAPT 

RET. 10-01-1995 


SEARS, RHONDA 

NEWPORT, NC 

CDR 

RET. 07-01-2011 


PATZER, ROBERT 

LAS VEGAS, NV 

CAPT 

RET. 03-01-1989 


SPINNER, CALVIN 

NORTH HIGHLAND, CA 

LCDR 

RET. 08-01-2007 


PETERS, JAMES 

PANAMA CITY, FL 

CAPT 

RET. 09-01-1992 


STRONG, CORWIN 

TOWNSEND, MT 

CAPT 

RET. 06-01-1988 


PLOTZ, PAUL 


CAPT 

RET. 01-01-1999 


STUMP, KATHLEEN 

OWASSO, OK 

CDR 

RET. 03-01-2001 


PRATHER, CYNTHIA 

STONE MOUNTAIN, GA 

CDR 

RET. 08-01-2019 


TROWBRIDGE, FREDERICK 

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA 

CAPT 

RET. 12-01-1996 


PRESTON, MARY 

AURORA, CO 

CAPT 

RET. 06-01-2001 


WARD, GEORGE 

HARERS ISLAND, NC 

CAPT 

RET. 10-01-1992 


RANDOLPH, MICHAEL 

SPRINGFIELD, MO 

CAPT 

RET. 01-01-1991 


WILSON, CHARLES 

AUGUSTA, GA 

CAPT 

RET. 10-01-1981 


REMARK, DONALD 

ENCINITAS, CA 

CAPT 

RET. 01-01-1988 


WOLF, ROBERT 


CAPT 

RET. 10-01-1985 



ROBBINS, PHILIP 

FORT THOMAS, KY 

NOAA 

PETERSEN, SIGMUND 

KENT, FAYETTEVILLE, WA PA 

CAPT 

RADM LCDR 

RET. 09-01-1989 


RET. 05-01-1995 

05-01-1996 


09-17-2023 

ZORZYNSKI, TONY 

WALNUT CREEK, CA 

WHITE, SEAN 

GAINESVILLE, FL 

CDR 

CAPT 

RET. 01-01-2003 


RET. 07-01-2009 



THE LONG BLUE LINE

DEPENDENT TAPS 

TAPS 

KIMBERLY PERANDER 

JACKSONVILLE, AL 

WIFE OF DC2 ALAN PERANDER, USCG (RET) 


MARY ANN JONES DVORAK 

SANTA MARIA, CA 

WIFE OF RMCM JAMES DVORAK, USCG (RET) 


WENDY MEI CHAI KAM REDMAN 

HONOLULU, HI 

WIFE OF ETC GARY REDMAN, USCG (RET) 


JENNY BRACEWELL 

DEXTER, GA 

WIFE OF BM1 ROY B. “BENNY” BRACEWELL, USCG (RET) 


DOLORES L. MOYSTER 

LAKE PLACID, FL 

WIFE OF CWO4 BRUCE L. MOYSTER, USCG (RET) 

09-01-2023 

SHIRLEY LEOTA WILSON 

OWENSVILLE, MO 

WIFE OF COMMS3 RODNEY G. WILSON, USCG (RET) 


MAUREEN MARY DERRICKSON 

CHINCOTEAGUE, VA 

WIFE OF YNCM WILLIAM (BILL) DERRICKSON, USCG (RET) 


ANN E. WAGNER 

CAPE MAY COURTHOUSE, NJ 

WIFE OF F&S4 DOUGLAS WAGNER, USCG (RET) 


JANICE SCHOMBURG 

PALM HARBOR, FL 

LORETTA K. CLARK 

LEAGUE CITY, TX 

GLENDA DAWN SPIOTTA 

ROCHESTER, MN 

BONNIE LITTLETON 

DELMAR, MD 

PATRICIA E. LENASSI 

PORTSMOUTH, VA 

CYNTHIA L. MOYNIHAN 

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 

BARBARA (FELTON) THORNE 

EAST LYME, CT 

SUSAN E. GABER 

FREDERICKSBURG, VA 

MARY K. HASSLER 

GREEN VALLEY, AZ 

MARY M. FIGONE 

TRACY, CA 

WIFE OF AVI4 CLIFFORD SCHOMBURG, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF THE LATE MKC JAMES W. CLARK, JR., USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF FS3 DOUG SPIOTTA, USCGR (RET) 

WIFE OF THE LATE CWO4 JOHN W. LITTLETON JR., USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF THE LATE LCDR RICHARD A. LENASSI, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF CAPT MARTIN J. MOYNIHAN, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF CAPT ROBERT W. THORNE, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF CWO3 SCOTT E. GABER, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF CDR RON HASSLER, USCG (RET) 

WIFE OF GMC WILLIAM FIGONE, USCG (RET) 



11-30-2023 










85

U.S. COAST GUARD RETIREE INFORMATION CHAPLAIN'S CORNER 

ALWAYS READY 

TO SERVE 

One inevitable truth in life is tribulation. In 

other words, no matter how prepared we 

are or how well life seems to be going, 

we will all at some point suffer. The book 

of Job found in the Hebrew Bible clearly 

supports this idea. Job says: “man is 

born unto trouble” (Job 5:7 KJV). 

One of the greatest remedies for this suffering 

is friendship. Not that a friend can prevent 

all hardship and suffering. But a friend has 

the capacity to be by your side no matter the 

circumstance. And has the ability to serve and 

help find a better way forward when we’re facing 

life’s troubles. 

I see Coast Guard chiefs as that loyal friend to 

our service and country. I have always been 

impressed with and stand in awe of the chief's 

persistent effort to put the needs of others before 

their own. They train, toil, give tough love, and 

fight for those they serve to succeed. Chiefs do 

everything they can to ensure we don’t fail. They 

even have answers to the most difficult work and 

life related problems. 

Soon after I first arrived in St. Louis, MO, as 

the Western Rivers Chaplain in April of 2022, 

I met Command Senior Chief David Knapp. I 

was immediately impressed with his tenacity 

to be selfless. This selfless attitude is evident 

because he spends his time in the service of 

others, offering stellar mentorship to all. He also 

provides practical advice, answers, and the most 

timely, uplifting, very sincere compliments and 

optimism. I’ve seen him turn tough situations into 

walks in the park. I began to observe this and 

wondered how he did it. I believe the answer is 

his leadership. He is a true servant leader. 

The phrase “servant leadership” was coined by 

Robert K. Greenleaf. He thought of it as “caring 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

for persons, the more able and the less able 

serving each other, is the rock upon which a 

good society is built.” 

A servant leader like Senior Chief Knapp is 

centrally focused on the growth and mental 

and emotional well-being of people and the 

communities to which they belong. Our Coast 

Guard needs servant leaders because success 

will take time and we all face barriers to our 

dreams and goals. Servant leaders endure tough 

situations with remarkable confidence because 

they know there are answers out there. 

It’s important to remember that there is a way 

forward and we can succeed together and that 

it’s not a tragedy to struggle, suffer or be in pain. 

The great poet Douglas Malloch wrote: 

Good timber does not grow with ease: 

The stronger wind, the stronger trees; 

The further sky, the greater length; 

The more the storm, the more the strength. 

By sun and cold, by rain and snow, 

In trees and men good timbers grow. 

Ultimately, we serve best when not concerned 

with power or pride. We serve best when we 

realize that our suffering is a part of our growth. 

The joy of our service in whatever capacity we 

are called to serve, is best achieved when others 

succeed, learn, and grow. My prayer is that 

through life’s struggles, we all have a friend that 

you can rely on, a servant leader to look up to, 

and an unbreakable faith in good things to come. 

LT ERIC MILLARD, CHAPLAIN 

CG SECTOR UPPER 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER 

U.S. COAST GUARD RETIREE INFORMATION CHAPLAIN'S CORNER 


87

ID CARDS & FOREIGN EMPLOYMENT 


ONE MILLION MILITARY FAMILY MEMBERS 

AND RETIREES NOW ELIGIBLE FOR 

ONLINE ID CARD RENEWAL 

By Rose L. Thayer, Stars and Stripes 

Military family members and retirees living in the 

United States can now renew their identification 

cards online and receive the new cards in the 

mail through an expansion of a pilot program 

that began nearly one year ago, the Defense 

Department announced. The change impacts 

about 1 million people carrying the department’s 

Uniformed Services Identification Card, which is 

issued to family members and retirees so they 

can access service benefits and privileges. The 

cards are different from the Common Access 

Cards issued to military personnel and civilian 

employees. Each year, the Defense Department 

issues 4.5 million ID cards, according to the 

Defense Manpower Data Center. About 2.5 

million of those are US ID cards. A pilot program 

for online renewal began in February 2023, and 

remains limited to those living within the U.S. An 

expansion to non-U.S. addresses is in the works, 

according to the department. “We think modern 

capabilities like renewing a driver’s license online 

make it easier for people to get what they need 

when they need it without burdening them with 

having to take a trip somewhere,” Mike Zarlenga 

with the Defense Manpower Data Center said 

in a statement. “We’re excited about this, and 

Coast Guard retired and Reserve members may 

NOT accept employment or compensation by 

a foreign government prior to approval by the 

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and 

Department of State (DoS) – after determining 

that such approval is not contrary to the national 

interests of the United States. The Secretary 

of Homeland Security has delegated approval 

authority to the commandant of the Coast Guard. 

Approval is required prior to accepting: 

• Civil employment (and compensation for 

that employment). 

it sounds like people see online renewal as 

making their lives easier, based on the feedback 

we’re getting.” The change also will free up 

appointments for military and civilian personnel 

who must continue to renew in person or for 

those people getting a military ID card for the 

first time. “We want to make sure that people 

visiting that office can get an appointment when 

they need one, and they can get their CAC and 

resume their mission or duties with minimal 

impact to them or to the department,” Zarlenga 

said. More information about the online US ID 

card renewal pilot program, including restrictions 

and requirements, is available at: 

https://www.cac.mil/ 

COAST GUARD RETIRED AND RESERVE MEMBERS: 

ACCEPTANCE OF EMPLOYMENT, PAYMENTS, AND 

AWARDS FROM FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS 

• Payment for speeches, travel, meals, 

lodging, or registration fees. 

• A non-cash award, related to acceptance 

of emoluments, offices, or titles from a 

foreign government. 

CG Retired and Reserve members risk loss of 

CG pay for accepting any of the above prior to 

approval by DHS/USCG and DoS. The Assistant 

Commandant for Military Personnel (CG-1M), 

Retiree Services Program Manager (CG-1M13), 

Mr. Robert Hinds, is the POC for questions and 

submission of requests at: Robert.C.Hinds@ 

uscg.mil, 202-475-5451. 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

THE COMMANDANT OF THE COAST GUARD 

INVITES YOU TO THE 2024 COAST GUARD BALL! 

This gala event is held annually to honor the Coast Guard’s proud traditions, recognize the outstanding achievements 

of its people, and create lasting memories for all the enjoy. 

Please visit coastguardball.com for more information and tickets. If you have any questions, interested in sponsoring/ 

donating to the Ball, or would like to volunteer for this incredible event, please reach out to coastguardball@uscg.mil. 

This will be evening to remember! We hope to see you there. 


89

PPC-RAS 


When you are setting up or changing your taxes 

for your retired or annuitant pay, please always 

use the W-4 form. According to the IRS, the 

W-4P form is to be used for periodic payments 

OR for annuity pay. Please note that PPC/RAS 

will accept the W-4 form for all tax withholding 

requests/adjustments (e.g., Retirees, Annuitants, 

Former Spouses). 

In keeping with our commitment to protect your 

account, if you request that PPC/RAS make tax 

changes on your behalf, please provide the form, 

as well as a photo ID, to our group e-mail: ppcdg-customercare@uscg.mil 

and know it may 

take us up to 60 days to make this change. 

Of course, using Direct Access Self-Service 

for this type of transaction is always an option 

for you and you’ll see nearly immediate results. 

Please access the RAS web site at https://www. 

dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/ras/. 

Thank you for allowing us to serve you. 

PPC/RAS 

LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR TAXES: 

USING THE W-4 or THE W-4P 

Periodic Payments 

Withholding from periodic payments of 

a pension or annuity is figured similarily 

to withholding from certain salaries 

and wages. To tell the payer of your 

pension or annuity how much you 

want withheld, fill out Form W-4P or 

a similar form provided by the payer. 

Follow instructions for Form W-4P and 

the rules discussed under Form W-4P, 

earlier, to fill out your 2024 Form W-4P. 

Note. Use Form W-4, not Form W-4P, if 

you receive any of the following. 

• Military retirement pay 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

Dear Valued Customer: 

Over the past few years, we’ve been letting you know that the most convenient and secure way to 

manage many transactions in your Retiree/Annuitant account is through your use of Direct Access 

Self-Service, PPC/RAS’s online account management system. Direct Access Self-Service provides 

faster service, security, accessibility, and reliability to all PPC/RAS customers worldwide. 

Great News in Support: During the recent Tax Season, many of our customers discovered they could 

get what they needed through Self-Service with excellent results. 

Based on this recent customer success, you are respectfully requested to perform the following 

transactions through Self-Service: 

• Direct Deposit 

• Mailing Address 

• E-mail Address 

• Phone Number 

• Allotments 

• Tax Withholding 

• Verification of Pay Award Letter 

• View/Print Pay Slip 

• View Final Pay Beneficiaries 

Here is the URL link to access and use DA Self-Service: 

https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/ras/gp/#guides 

Using Self-Service actually provides you with a positive customer service experience: waiting for us 

to perform these transactions on your behalf could take up to 60 days, and that’s never something 

anyone wants to hear. 

Of course, if you are unable to perform Self-Service transactions, you may make your request, including 

a photo ID,* via an e-mail message addressed to ppc-dg-customercare@uscg.mil. 

* Due to higher security risks, you are now required to send in a 

photo ID with a written request; account changes are no longer 

permitted to be made over the phone. 

Thank you for allowing us to serve you. 

Team RAS 

USING DIRECT ACCESS SELF-SERVICE 

AND GET ACCURATE AND NEARLY IMMEDIATE RESULTS 

U.S. COAST GUARD RETIREE INFORMATION PPC-RAS 


91

WORK-LIFE 

TRANSITION 

ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 

Coast Guard Active-Duty and Reserve members and their spouses 

transitioning back to civilian life and Retirees and/or caregivers 

are highly encouraged to check-out and take full advantage of the 

TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM at: https://tapevents.mil/ 

Every year, approximately 200,000 men and women leave U.S. military service and return to life as 

civilians, a process known as the military to civilian transition. The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) 

provides information, tools, and training to ensure Service members, their spouses and/or caregivers 

are prepared for the next step in civilian life. 

The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) is the result of an interagency partnership between the 

Departments of Defense (DoD), Labor (DOL), Veterans Affairs (VA), Education (ED), Homeland 

Security (DHS), Small Business Administration (SBA), and the Office of Personnel Management 

(OPM), in conjunction with the Military Departments who execute TAP. 

The TAP curriculum is an outcome-based curriculum that transforms the way the military prepares 

Service members for transition back to civilian life. The curriculum is designed to provide service 

members with the resources, tools, services, and skill-building training needed to meet Career 

Readiness Standards (CRS). Shortly before departing the military, Service members demonstrate 

achievement of these standards to their command through a verification process called Capstone. This 

process includes an opportunity to connect Service members who may need additional assistance 

to agency partners who provide them with additional support. 


Military to civilian transition occurs within a complex and dynamic network of relationships, programs, 

services, and benefits, which includes transition planning and assistance efforts by individual Service 

branches, the interagency TAP partnership, and community resources delivered through local 

government, private industry, and nonprofit organizations. 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

USCG RETIREE MENTORING & TRANSITION 

ASSISTANCE NETWORK! 

RADM Jeff Hathaway, USCG (Ret.) 

CG National Retiree Council Co-Chair 

hathaway.cgnrc@aol.com 

Your USCG National Retiree Council is sponsoring this program to maintain a searchable database 

for our retiree community (and those soon to retire) to both request and offer personal mentoring and 

advice in a variety of areas. Thinking about relocating to a particular geographic area but would like 

insights from those that are living there? Find some help here. Wondering how to start a small business? 

You can find a mentor here. 

We are using a software service called Member Planet to host our registration process and database. It 

is both secure, easy to use and offers great flexibility. Once submitted, your registration is automatically 

forwarded to Mr. Bob Hinds, USCG Retiree Services Program Manager. He validates your eligibility then 

grants access to the database. 

We hope that the USCG retiree community finds this program useful. Prior pilot programs showed a 

demand for such a program but lacked an easily accessible database maintained in the public domain. 

VISIT http://www.uscgretireenetwork.org/ TO LEARN MORE AND ENROLL! 

A big thank you to our 

Capital Area Retiree 

Council for originally 

promoting a retiree 

mentoring program and 

sponsoring the first 

"proof of concept" pilot 

program! 

U.S. COAST GUARD RETIREE INFORMATION RETIREE NETWORKING 


93

OTHER IMPORTANT RESOURCES 

USCG PAY & PERSONNEL CENTER 

RETIREE AND ANNUITANT SERVICES (PPC-RAS) 

4 WAYS TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR RETIRED 

PAY ACCOUNT 

With our improved tools, you can manage your account easily and when it is most 

convenient for you. 

WEBSITE 

Site address: www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/ras/ 

On the website you can: 

• Get important updates 

• Get information on accessing Direct Access (“DA”) Self-Service; 

• View and download forms and packets 

• Get answers to frequently-asked questions (FAQs) 

Site address: https://hcm.direct-access.uscg.mil/ 

Helpful Guides are located at www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/ras/gp/ 

You can do the following in DA Self-Service (with nearly immediate results): 


SELF-SERVE 

EMAIL 

PHONE 

POSTAL 

MAIL 

• View Payslip 

• View/Print Year End Forms 

• View/Change Phone Numbers 

• View/Print 1099R 

• View/Change Mailing & Email 

Address 

• Change EFT/Direct Deposit 

1099Rs are mailed to your address in DA. Helpful information is also 

sent via email. 

Email us at: ppc-dg-customercare@uscg.mil 

• Email us questions or requests. We track/respond to all. 

• Submit forms (e. g. W-4 for Taxes). We track/respond to all. 

• Avoid waiting for mailed documents to be delivered to us. 

• Avoid having to call. 

Call us at: 866-772-8724 

• Change Delivery Options 

• Change Voluntary Deductions 

• View Final Pay Beneficiary 

• Change Federal & State Tax 

• Print Retired Pay Award Letter 

• View Open Debts 

If you do not have access to a computer or email, you can submit your 

request through US Postal Mail. Our mailing address is: 

Commanding Officer 

US Coast Guard PPC (RAS) 

444 SE Quincy St 

Topeka KS 66683-3591 

PPC-RAS can process most requests within one or two pay periods. 

Remember! Incomplete forms or missing documents may result in a delay in processing your request. 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

COAST GUARD 

LEGAL ASSISTANCE 

Coast Guard legal assistance attorneys provide advice and counsel regarding personal legal issues to 

thousands of service members, dependents and retirees each year at no cost. These issues may involve 

family law, estate planning, consumer law, land-lord-tenant relations, immigration or many other topics. 

Legal Assistance Program, CI 5801.4F: https://media.defense.gov/2017/Mar/15/2001716717/-1/- 

1/0/CI_5801.4F.PDF 

Legal Readiness Checklist: www.uscg.mil/Portals/0/Headquarters/Legal/la/Legal%20 

Readiness%20Checklist.pdf 

Personal Readiness Plan (Personal Identity & Vital Documents; Emergency Information & Powers 

of Attorney; Healthcare & Medical Directives; Income, Savings and Investments, and Life Insurance; 

Monthly Expenses, Debt, and Credit Reports; Primary Residence, Insurance & Household Services; 

Vehicle Information, Insurance, Titles & Documentation; Taxes; Survivor Assistance & Benefits; 

Estate Planning & Funeral Instructions): www.uscg.mil/Resources/Legal/LMA/Legal_Assistance/ 

Personal-Readiness-Plan/ 

Legal Assistance Attorneys: www.uscg.mil/Resources/Legal/LMA/Legal_Assistance/Find-A- 

Legal-Assistance-Lawyer/ 

1st District Legal: 617-223-8500 

7th District Legal: 305-415-6949 








13 th PACIFIC AREA ATLANTIC AREA 

11 th 

17 th 

14 th 

9 th 1 st 

5 th 

7 th 

8 th 


U.S. COAST GUARD RETIREE INFORMATION OTHER IMPORTANT RESOURCES 

95


CG NATIONAL RETIREE COUNCIL / 

REGIONAL RETIREE COUNCILS & CO-CHAIRS 

CGNRC CO-CHAIRS 

CAPITAL AREA 

CENTRAL GULF COAST 

(MOBILE) 

CHARLESTON 

GREAT LAKES 

RADM Meredith Austin 

maustincgnrc@gmail.com 

MCPO Lloyd Pierce 

cgsilverancientmariner11@outlook.com 

David Bernstein 

dberns01@gmail.com 

John Milkiewicz 

locke45@hotmail.com 

Terry Gilbreath 

tgilbreath@asdd.com 

Charlie Womack 

chwomack@gmail.com 

Ray Bryant 

basecharlestonrrc@gmail.com 

Timothy Schneider 

basecharlestonrrc@gmail.com 

Lorne Thomas 

lorne.w.thomas@uscg.mil 

James Bach 

uw_jimmy@yahoo.com 

PENSACOLA, FL & 

BALDWIN COUNTY, AL 

SAN JUAN, PR 

SECTOR OHIO VALLEY 

SOUTHWEST 

ST. LOUIS 

Jeff Rosenberg 

cg.rrc.pns@gmail.com 

Jose Baltar 

uscg.sj.rc@gmail.com 

Carlos López 

uscg.sj.rc@gmail.com 

James Armstrong 

James.S.Armstrong@uscg.mil 

Gerald Nauert 

gnauert@oldhamcountyky.gov 

Joseph Leonard 

jleonard83@aol.com 

Eric Pugh 

eric.pugh12@outlook.com 

Keith Livingstone 

bassbolt@yahoo.com 

Becky Livingstone 

rebalivingstone@att.net 

EAST CENTRAL FL 

Jim Reynolds 

james.reynolds.cg@gmail.com 

TAMPA BAY AREA 

Don Goldstein 

DGoldstein1@tampabay.rr.com 

LeRoy Dennison 

LeRoy@dennison.com 


FIRST CG RETIREES 

JACKSONVILLE 

HAWAII 

KODIAK 

MIAMI 

NEW ORLEANS 

NORTH EAST 

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA 

NORTHWEST 

Mike Rosecrans 

m.rosecrans@gmail.com 

YNCM Bobby Wester 

bwester2549@aol.com 

Rod Schultz 

rschultz369@gmail.com 

Anthony Lim 

hawaiiretiree.cc@gmail.com 

Robert Lachowsky 

roblachowsky@yahoo.com 

John Whiddon 

jbwhiddon52@gmail.com 

David Cinalli 

david.cinalli@yahoo.com 

Marc Fagenbaum 

cgrcmiamibeach@gmail.com 

Currently Inactive 

Kevin Brown 

CGRetireeNorthEast@gmail.com 

Thomas Hall 

tadahall@msn.com 

David Swanson 

ddswanson@msn.com 

RADM Bert Kinghorn 

CoChairs@cgretirenw.org 

Sean McPhilamy 

seanmcphilamy@mac.com 

YORKTOWN 

Rick Gay 

rgay@earthlink.net 

David Bunch 

dcbunch52@verizon.net 

Recouncil@TCYYorktown.ucg.mil 

You may elect not to be mailed the 

newsletter by accessing your DA 

Self-Service account at 

• www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/ras/gp/ 

• Select “Change My Delivery 

Options” 

• Uncheck the block labeled 

“I elect to receive the Retiree 

Newsletter by mail.” 

You may also contact CG PPC 

Customer Care for assistance by 

calling 866-772-8724 or by sending 

an e-mail to: 

PPC-DG-CustomerCare@uscg.mil 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

CG PAY & PERSONNEL CENTER, RETIREE & 

ANNUITANT SERVICES (PPC-RAS), DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE & 

OTHER IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS & WEBSITES 

Directory Assistance and Other Important Phone Numbers & Websites are also accessible at: 

dcms.uscg.mil/portals/10/cg-1/ppc/ras/rasdirectory.pdf 

Questions, Address or Direct-Deposit Changes 

If you need information or have questions 

about: 

• Your retired or survivor benefit plan (SBP) 

annuity payments 

• Your retired/annuitant statement 

• IRS Form 1099-R (reporting taxable 

income) 

• You need to change your and your 

dependents’ home mailing address (for 

retired/annuitant statement, newsletter, 

1099-R, correspondence) 

• Your financial institution or account 

number for your direct deposit 

• Report a change to your designation of 

beneficiary for payment of unpaid retired 

pay (Note: use Form *CG PPC-3600 

Designation of Beneficiary for Payment of 

Unpaid Retired Pay) 

You may make the requests listed above by 

telephone, by fax, or in writing. The telephone 

and fax numbers are: 

Toll free: 1-866-772-8724 

Fax: (785) 339-3770 

Allotments, SBP Coverage and Beneficiary 

Changes 

If you need to: 

• Start, stop, or change an allotment (you may 

use Form *CG PPC-7221 Retired Allotment 

Authorization Form, fax in the form or a 

written request, call us or send us an e-mail 

request). 

• Report a change to your survivor benefit 

plan (SBP) coverage (must be in writing) 

You may fax your request to (785) 339-3770 

or mail to: 

Commanding Officer (RAS) 

USCG Pay & Personnel Center 


Topeka, KS 66683-3591 

Income Tax Withholding Changes 

(*) Note: Forms are available from the PPC website at: 

www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/pd/forms/ or directly from the IRS. 

If you need to: 

• Start or change the amount of state tax 

withholding (retirees can call, e-mail, fax or use 

*IRS Form W-4, or state form. If using IRS form, 

indicate that the form is for state income tax 

withholding, not federal, which state it’s for and 

the dollar amount to be withheld, (minimum 

amount is $10.00, no cents)). We cannot 

withhold state tax for annuitants. 

• Change your federal income tax 

withholding (retirees use Form W-4, 

annuitants use Form W-4P) 

• Change exemptions or additional 

withholding 

Federal tax changes must be in writing. The 

original Form IRS W-4 or W-4P must be mailed 

to PPC (RAS) for action and filing, per IRS 

requirements. PPC (RAS) cannot accept a 

faxed W-4 or W-4P. Please mail to: 




Topeka, KS 66683-3591 

(*) Note: Forms are available from the PPC website at: 

www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/pd/forms/ or directly from the IRS. 

Report of Death 

To report the death of a Coast Guard, NOAA 

or PHS retiree/annuitant call: 

Toll free: 1-866-772-8724 

Fax: (785) 339-3770 

Or write: 




Topeka, KS 66683-3591 

DEPENDENT TAPS: To place a Dependent TAPS 

notice in The Retiree Newsletter, provide the 

dependent’s name, relationship to retiree, date 

of passing, and city/state to Robert Hinds at: 

Robert.C.Hinds@uscg.mil 

phone: 202-475-5451 



97



MEDICARE PART B ENROLLMENT IS MANDATORY AT AGE 65 

dcms.uscg.mil/Portals/10/CG-1/retiree/docs/pdf/Turning_65_with_MEDICARE. 

pdf?ver=2018-09-07-143218-930 

When you turn 65, your medical benefits will change. MEDICARE will become your primary medical 

coverage and TRICARE pays secondary to MEDICARE. You MUST enroll in MEDICARE PART 

B to retain your TRICARE coverage. If you are within 90 days of your 65th birthday, you should 

log on to www.ssa.gov or medicare.gov to enroll in MEDICARE PART B. Additional information is 

accessible at: tricare.mil/Welcome/Eligibility/MedicareEligible.aspx?sc_database=web or by phone 

at 866-773-0404. You may also call the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) 

at 800-538-9552. 

OTHER IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS AND WEBSITES 

Medical/Dental Benefits/Phone/Websites/ 

Notes 

Eligibility (DEERS)/ID Cards 

1-800-538-9552 

(TTY/TDD) 

1-866-363-2883 

www.tricare.mil/deers 

In CA: 1-800-334-4162; 

In AK & HI 1-800-527-5602 

Mail-Order Pharmacy 

1-877-363-1303 

www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/home/ 

Prescriptions/Filling Prescriptions/TMOP 

Federal Employee Dental & Vision Insurance 

Program (FEDVIP—Retirees) 

1-877-888-3337 

https://www.benefeds.com/ 

TRICARE Overseas 

1-888-777-8343 

www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/home/overview/ 

Regions/RegionsNonUS 

TRICARE East Region Contractor 

1-800-444-5445 

TRICARE West Region Contractor 

1-844-866-9378 

www.tricare.mil 

TRICARE For Life 

1-866-773-0404 

www.tricare.mil/tfl/default.cfm 

www.tricare.mil/LifeEvents/Retiring 

TRICARE Eligibility—Pharmacy 

(Medicare info) 

1-877-363-1303 

www.tricare.mil/ CoveredServices/Pharmacy/ 

Eligibility.aspx 

Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program 

(FLTCIP) 

NEW! 

1-800-LTC-FEDS (1-800-582-3337) 

www.LTCFEDS.com 

CG Health Benefits Advisor 

1-800-942-2422 

Veterans Benefits 

Phone/Websites/Notes 

VA Resource Navigator 

https://www.va.gov/files/2024-01/VA%20 

Resource%20Navigator.pdf 

Department of Veterans Affairs 

1-800-827-1000 

www.va.gov 

Reporting the Death of a Veteran/Retiree to 

the VA, 800-827-1000, Press #5, https://www. 

va.gov/resources/how-to-report-the-death-ofa-veteran-to-va/ 

VA Office of Survivors Assistance 

https://www.va.gov/survivors/ 

Insurance Information 

1-800-669-8477 

www.insurance.va.gov 

Veteran’s Group Life Insurance 

www.insurance.va.gov/sglisite/vgli/vgli.htm 

New VGLI Applications and VGLI 

Reinstatements: 

OSGLI 

PO Box 41618 

Philadelphia, PA 19176-9913 

1-800-419-1473 

Overseas phone (continued on next page) 

(973) 548-5699 

Overseas fax# 

(973) 548-5300 

Death and accelerated benefits claims only: 

Fax: 1-877-832-4943. 


THE LONG BLUE LINE

All other fax inquiries: 

1-800-236-6142 

e-mail at: osgli.claims@prudential.com 

All other inquiries: osgli.osgli@prudential.com 

General Correspondence: 

Office of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance 

80 Livingston Avenue 

Roseland, NJ 07068-1733 

Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents 

1-800-827-1000 

www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book.asp 

VA Pamphlet 80-02-1 

Headstones and Markers 

1-800-697-6947 

www.va.gov/opa/publications/benefits_book.asp 

Former Spouse 

CG PPC LEGAL 

785-339-3441 

785-339-3788 (Fax) 

PPC-DG-LGL@uscg.mil 

FSPA & SBP Informational Pamphlet 

https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Portals/10/CG-1/ 

PPC/Docs/Legal/Uniformed%20Services%20 

Former%20Spouse%20Protection%20Act%20 

(FSPA).pdf 

Former Spouse ID Card and Medical 

Information 

https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Portals/10/CG-1/ 

PPC/RAS/FormerSpouseDetermination4IDcards. 

pdf?ver=a_wj5dB_ 

FMVcHvKGRPEkBw%3D%3D#:~:text=The%20 

20%2D20%2D15%20rule,if%20they%20do%20 

not%20remarry 

Additional Important Number and Websites 

Final Active Duty Pay 

1-866-772-8724 

Overseas 

www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/separations/finalpay/ 

Commanding Officer (SEP) 


444 SE Quincy St. 

Topeka, KS 66683-3591 

Contact PPC (SEP) for information on severance 

pay, separation pay, disability severance pay, 

LES’s, IRS Form W-2. 

Social Security 

1-800-772-1213 

www.ssa.gov 

Travel Claims 

1-866-772-8724 

www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/travel/ 

Send final travel claim to: 

Commanding Officer (TVL) 


444 SE Quincy St. 

Topeka, KS 66683-3591 

Service Records 

(314) 801-0800 

www.archives.gov/veterans/military-servicerecords 

Write to: 

National Personnel Records Center 

Military Personnel Records 

1 Archives Drive 

St. Louis, MO 63138-1002 

Veterans or next-of-kin of a deceased veteran 

can access www.archives.gov/veterans/ 

military-service-records to make requests. 

All others must write in and include complete 

name, rank/grade, SSN, dates of service, and 

date of birth of the veteran. DD-214s are also 

available via the website 

WWII U.S. Merchant Marine Awards and 

Decorations 

www.maritime.dot.gov/outreach/mariner-medals 

Contact - Awards, Flags, Medals 

Katrina McRae 

Maritime Awards Officer 

Office of Sealift Support 

1200 NEW JERSEY AVE., SE 

WASHINGTON, DC 20590 

United States 

Email: Katrina.mcrae@dot.gov 

Phone: 202-366-3198 

Fax: 202-366-2323 

Business Hours: 9:00am to 5:00pm ET, M-F 

If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a 

speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access 

telecommunications relay services. 

CG Social Media Sites 

A list of Official CG Social Media Sites including 

Facebook and Twitter is accessible at: 

http://coastguard.dodlive.mil/official-sites/ 

CG National Retiree Help Desk 

Toll free 1-833-224-6743 

email: NRHDesk@gmail.com 

Do NOT send Personally Identifiable Information 

(e.g. SSN, EMPID) to the CG National Retiree 

Help Desk. Visit: https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/ 

retiree/nrhd-pii/ 



99

A 

GREAT 

GIFT FOR 

NEW 

RETIREES

The Long Blue Line (Summer 2024)

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