Thanks, Semper911, for stopping by the Canteen with that terrific story of the rescue, you as a member of our Coast Guard, effect every day. Thank you for your service to our country.
Thanks for the thread to remind me that it's Coast Guard Day. We used to have a big cookout at the station and invite all the families. I suspect they still do.
I remember one Coast Guard Day picnic when I had the cox'n duty, and me and my crew were all hoping there wouldn't be any calls before the burgers were ready. Then of course the bell rang, and we dropped our sodas and ran down to the boat.
The OD gave us the position on the radio. Sailboat taking on water, kids on board. When we got on scene, only the mast and part of the bow were showing, and 5 heads bobbing in the water, no PFDs. We pulled the three kids and their parents on board the 41', and headed back in.
I was calling in to tell the station to have an ambulance at the dock, but the father waved me off. He said they were fine and didn't want to go to the hospital. So we brought them back to the station, fired up the grill again, and they joined right in the picnic with our families while they waited to be picked up by friends.
Before long the kids were playing volleyball, and as I watched them, I had a big lump in my throat. Just an hour before, they were treading water and practically in the jaws of death, and now they were doing what kids were supposed to be doing.
It was one of many memorable days that made me very proud of having the opportunity to serve.
Thanks, Semper911, for stopping by the Canteen with that terrific story of the rescue, you as a member of our Coast Guard, effect every day. Thank you for your service to our country.
Wild Thing