Our fame, our glory too
It’s no secret the remote but vibrant Aleutian city of Unalaska is home to many treasures of Coast Guard lore, yet one of the most prominent would seem unlikely: A piano. This piano is so important the crew from Coast Guard Cutter Munro gathered in their service dress blues at the house of City Councilwomen Zoya Johnson just to see it. Johnson generously opened her home so guests could gather around the piano keys and give a showing of the Coast Guard’s hymn, “Semper Paratus.” The musical selection was not only fitting for the company; it was on Johnson’s piano, in the Summer of 1926, that “Semper Paratus” was first composed!
Sentinel of the light
The origin of Women’s History Month as a national celebration began nearly 120 years before the first Hispanic-American woman served in the Coast Guard and its predecessor services. Maria Mestre de los Dolores Andreu assumed the watch as the lighthouse keeper at the St. Augustine Lighthouse after her husband, Juan, passed away in 1859. With a yearly salary of $400 she not only became the first Hispanic-American woman to serve in the Coast Guard but also to command a federal shore installation.
Always Ready: The Gaudian Family
The Coast Guard is in his blood. Caleb Gaudian is a few weeks away from shipping to Coast Guard Basic Training. He won’t have much time in boot camp to ruminate on what brought him here, but his family history is rich with Coast Guard adventure.
He is our hero. We are his legacy.
This blog entry comes from a recruit who attended the building dedication aboard Training Center Cape May for Petty Officer 3rd Class Nathan Bruckenthal, who died during combat operations off the coast of Iraq. The ceremony was held today, the 13th anniversary of Bruckenthal’s graduation from basic training. Seaman Recruit Johnson was tasked with holding Bruckenthal’s company flag. Johnson’s company was also in attendance to the ceremony and they recited The Coast Guard Ethos. This is his story from that day.
To be a plank owner
There are many titles used in the Coast Guard. Some are earned as you move up in the ranks while some are given based off your chosen profession. Amongst all of the titles Coast Guard members earn there is one that perhaps warrants the most bragging rights – plank owner.
America’s Queen: Coast Guard Cutter Storis
Coast Guard Cutter Storis is truly a magnificent ship. The accomplishments in her service record have secured her a permanent place in Coast Guard, American and maritime history. This fact was recently evidenced in December 2012 when the National Park Service officially listed her in the National Register of Historic Places.
To put this listing into perspective, there have been more than 1,567 commissioned cutters to serve in the Revenue Marine, Revenue Cutter Service and U.S. Coast Guard. Out of all of these cutters, Storis now joins Eagle, Ingham, Mclane and Taney as the only five non-tenders to be listed as National Historic Places.
Shipmate of the Week – AUX Bill Nelson
Written by Senior Chief Petty Officer Sarah B. Foster, Atlantic Area Public Affairs. Uncovering the mysteries of our nation’s past can shed light on historical events, along with providing insight on how our past shaped our future. As our nation [...]
Ringing in the New Year with rhyme: Ashore
On New Year’s Eve the midnight log entry at a Coast Guard unit takes on a life of its own and is traditionally written as a poem. The Compass reached out to those standing the mid-watch to share the tradition of applying verse to the log as we all rung in 2013.
Ringing in the New Year with rhyme: Afloat
On New Year’s Eve the midnight log entry at a Coast Guard unit takes on a life of its own and is traditionally written as a poem. The Compass reached out to those standing the mid-watch to share the tradition of applying verse to the ship’s log as we all rung in 2013.
Wreaths Over the Water
When three men from the Civil Air Patrol walked into Coast Guard Station Lake Worth Inlet in Riviera Beach, Fla., in December 2007 and requested assistance in laying wreaths on veteran’s graves in support of the national Wreaths Across America event, it occurred to Auxiliarist Ed Greenfield there were some veterans who had no headstone to mark their graves.
