11 January 09 at the Salt Water Grille was the official Change of Watch ceremony for Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 21, of Casco Bay, Maine. I am proud to wear the stripes as one of the new staff officers, as I have taken on the responsibilities as the Secretary. I look forward to the challenges and experiences this new position will provide.
Newly sworn in Staff Officers
District and Flotilla leaders
WCSH6 features Captain McPherson of Sector Northern New England on the rescues performed throughout 2009.
207 Great Coast Guard rescues of 2009
Captain McPherson on 207
The aftershock from the earthquake in Haiti has impacted life in Sector Northern New England in Maine. A good friend of mine, an Ensign, has recently been called to Virginia for temporary duty from his station here in Maine. A Coast Guard Cutter from SNNE was one of the first medical response units to reach Haiti with supplies. Our Commander of the Sector, Captain McPherson, was called to serve in Haiti by Admiral Thad Allen.
USCGC Tahoma, a Coast Guard Cutter station in Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, ME and under the jurisdiction of SNNE, was one of the first ships sent over to assist with the medical needs of Haiti. Their immediate mission was to deliver medical supplies, and to provide medical care to people in need before the Navy’s medical ship, USNS Comfort arrived. Even though Coast Guard officers are trained to deal with mass casualties, the situation “in Haiti differed from anything that anyone on the Tahoma or Mohawk had ever experienced”, according to TIMES. Also, two baby boys have been delivered on board Tahoma of earthquake victims, according to the Foster’s Daily Democrat.
USCG Cutter Tahoma
The Commander, Captain McPherson of Sector Northern New England was called to go over to Haiti to assistFrom the American Free Press Newspaper, “Captain James McPherson of the US Coast Guard acknowledged air relief was the only way to make food and water deliveries until an alternative to boat drop-offs could be found.”
There is a lot for Northern New England to be proud of with our Coast Guard. Not only are we taking action to protect our borders, we are also providing essential care to take care of those in other parts of the world who need help. It is amazing how the branches of the military, from the Coast Guard and Navy to Marine Corps and Army, come together to help with humanitarian missions.
“I will never forget that I am an American, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free.”
There is an upcoming event that supports the charity to assist wounded military heroes I helped establish in Maine, Warrior Legacy Foundation’s Wounded Heroes Program of Maine. The profits from this fundraiser will add money to the general fund which assists injured servicemen & women and their families in Maine. Here are the details:
Tuesday, January 5th, 2010, 5-9 pm
At Flatbread Company, 72 Commercial Street – Portland, ME, (207) 772-8777
Flatbread Company will donate $3.50 for each large flatbread sold and $1.75 for each small flatbread.
Includes take-out orders.
To donate auction items or services, or for questions call Lauren, (207) 632-9466
View more info at a blog post from the Blackfive’s blog.
If you are in the Portland area, please consider buying a great flatbread, which makes for a delicious dinner, and also helps our military veterans who need our help. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thanks!
“They have given everything and ask for nothing.”
My home town of Cape Elizabeth is home to Portland Head Light. Today, 11 Dec 09, Captain McPherson of Sector Northern New England joined the community in unveiling a donated holiday wreath, carefully placed on the lighthouse. Representatives from the town of Cape Elizabeth, and Senators Collins and Snowe’s office were also present.
According to an article in the Coast Guard News, this event “marks the first of it kind for the famous Maine lighthouse and stems from a widespread tradition in which many Coast Guard units around the county join their local communities to decorate lighthouses for the holidays.” The Coast Guard lives by the values of constantly being involved in the community and impacting them in a positive way, and this joint efforts between the Coast Guard and the citizens in which they protect shows a significant relationship between the two. The wreath was donated by a ‘Secret Santa’.
Capt McPherson addressing the importance of the wreath
The total class size for the January 01-10 class is 35 people. Out of the largest pool of applicant the selection panel has ever seen, there were 9 primaries, 5 of which are active duty Coasties, 1 of which was picked up out of Cape May Training Center. There were 25 Alternates, 4 of which were active duty Coasties.
I am one of those on the alternate list. To be one of only 35 total recognized for this upcoming OCS class is an accomplishment in itself. I am young, and still learning. They can be sure to see my package in front of the panel for the next OCS board, better and stronger.
Like the letter said, “take this as a vote of confidence”. Good luck to those selected, and sooner or later, I will see you on the gold side.
Featured in the 18 NOV 09 edition of the Portland Press Herald, Coast Guard Lt. Gabe Somma landed a helicopter behind Deering High School, to have the staff and students see the way the helicopter works. As a graduate from Deering High School, Lt. Somma was able to show his helicopter and enlighten students. According to the Principal, “It’s great to welcome a Ram back to Deering who has done so well while serving his country.”
It is exciting to have local individuals from Southern Maine grow up to achieve such great things. I hope to soon follow in his footsteps, and be able to come back and share my experiences.
Front page above the fold, Portland Press Herald 11/18
In August, the Coast Guard Station Southwest Harbor pulled three individuals out of the water at Acadia National Park, whom were swept in by rogue waves. Today, ADM Allen and Senator Susan Collin, congratulated the crews of the boats and aircraft who were a part of the search and rescue efforts.
Several members received recognition at the Southwest Harbor Coast Guard station. The ceremony honored their efforts in the rescue that saved ’six of the victims and recovered the seventh person’ who were all washed off the rocks by Hurricane Bill’s rogue waves.
CAPT McPherson, whom I had a chance to speak with in BWI airport yesterday, was also present at the ceremony. The article can be found here.
Efforts such as these make me proud of the Coast Guard, and more specifically Sector Northern New England. It would be the utmost honor for me to join this wonderful group of people and help out the community. I look forward to taking on the challenge of Officer Candidate School, and I still hope for the chance of being selected.
ADM Allen & Senator Collins recognizing CG members - Bangor Daily News
Armistice Day, later changed to Veterans Day, was first proclaimed by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson for November 11, 1919, “a day to be dedicated to the cause of world peace”.
I wanted to take a moment to thank each and every military member, active and retired for their service to this country. We are blessed to live where we have men & women sacrificing to give the rest of us freedom. I have the utmost respect for these people, including my many friends in the military.
As I wait to hear back if I am selected for OCS, I can’t imagine a greater honor and privileged to service alongside these amazing people. I will be lucky to be given the opportunity. Again, thank you. God bless.
“As Guardians, we acknowledge the risk but that doesn’t ease the emotional burden we feel after a tragedy.” -ADM Allen
On 10/29, a Coast Guard plane C-130 collided with a Marine Corps helicopter AH-1W Super Cobra off the coast of San Diego. Major Samuel Leigh, one of the Marines in the crash, is from Belgrade, close to my hometown in Maine.
Prayers for them & their families in my prayers during this difficult time and tough loss of lives.
