GLPA Newsletter Spring 2011 Issue Published by the Great Lakes Chapter of the United States Coast Guard Academy Parents’ Association in August, January, and May. President’s Message Vice President’s Message News Flash Dear Great Lakes CGA Parents: The Great Lakes Parents As- Spring always holds special sociation Wants You!! President Obama to deliver meaning: the coming of warm Want to be part of a fun keynote address at USCGA weather (Yes … It will come!); the group that supports our cadets? Commencement on May 18 blooms and blossoms of new life Consider playing a role in the (see page 12) ready to grow and beautify our Great Lake Parents Association. lives; the end of an Academy year; We currently hold several picnics and the start of summer assign- a year (see page 4), plan cadet 2010-11 Chapter Officers ments for our cadets. This is a time gifts, and distribute news and in- filled with great anticipation, ex- formation to parents and are look- President citement and adventure. Ann Corwell (Andrew ‘11) ing to expand our services! We are seeking caring parents for the po- [email protected] For about 20 Great Lakes CGA families, including mine, the sitions of Vice President and Vice Presidents real adventure just begins with our Treasurer, and to serve on the Bruce & Peg Talbot (Erin ‘13) soon-to-be ensigns moving Ways & Means committee. The [email protected] throughout our wonderful country actual functions of these important [email protected] to begin their duties in important roles take minimal time. If you are Secretary humanitarian and live-saving ser- interested, please send an email to Donna O’Brien (Kevin ‘12) vice. We are constantly reminded [email protected] prior to the June [email protected] of the good works — essential 11 business meeting. responsibilities — of our Academy Treasurer graduates with almost every news- Deb Tatara (Mark ‘11) cast — local, state and national. UPCOMING DATES [email protected] The Coast Guard is on the job re- 11 JUN 11: Picnic for class of Web Master porting about their service, helping 2015 swabs & families, and Mike Nolan (Erin ‘12) individuals who face emergencies GLPA business, noon CDT at [email protected] … and saving thousands of lives Michigan City, IN USCG Station when disaster strikes. We should (Michigan City is on CDT) Newsletter Editor be so proud of their strong, selfless Jeff Dooley (LTJG James ‘08) service. 18 JUN 11: Meet & Greet for [email protected] GLPA families at Milwaukee, WI I always enjoy asking parents USCG Station Fundraising how their children (SWABs or Terry Anderson (Jessica ‘11) cadets) decided the CGA was their Early AUG: GLPA Friends & [email protected] place to be. What a variety of fas- Family Picnic (where/when TBD) Ways and Means cinating responses. For Andrew 27 JUN 11: R-day Lena Marie Fullmer (Austin '13) Corwell, it was a decision made at 13 AUG 11: [email protected] age nine, when he announced, “I Summer training ends will attend the U.S. Coast Guard Academy.” Since this was the 22 AUG 11: Fall classes start same child, who four years earlier, 14-16 OCT 11: Something you’d like to see in when asked what grade he was in Parent’s weekend the GLPA Newsletter? Send it said, “Oh, I’ve graduated.” “From 9-15 DEC 11: Final Exams grade school?” the astonished in to [email protected]! Sub- 16 DEC 11 – 2 JAN 12: missions are always desired. I friend asked. “No,” Andrew said firmly, “From Harvard.” Winter Leave am the editor, but YOU are 29 DEC 11: All Academy Ball at the reporters! (Continued on page 3) Westin Hotel, Lombard, IL 1 GLPA Spring 2011 Newsletter CGA LEADERSHIP 44 CAPITAL CAMPAIGN The Mission “The Leadership 44 project is one of the most important and exciting projects ever under- taken at the Academy. Beyond that, one of the most important aspects of the program is that it creates a fundamental building block for cadet leadership training, which will be util- ized by every single cadet – 100% – for the next two decades.” Bob Hallock ’72 Chair, Procurement Committee Putting cadets under sail is the best way to teach our future maritime officers the ways of the sea and for them to acquire a love for its lore. Under sail, the future officer gains a greater appreciation and respect for the wind, waves, and tides. Sailing craft also provide cadets with a valuable leader- ship experience – often their first experience at com- mand and control at sea. A ship under sail tests the true character and mettle of a young officer and provides in- valuable lessons on the importance of teamwork. The Coast Guard Academy’s fleet of coastal sail training craft, “the Luders,” are long past their prime and, if they are not soon replaced, the Academy will lose one of its most important platforms for leadership and character development. The Leadership 44 Campaign seeks to raise the funds needed to replace the aging Luders fleet, which has been used for the Coastal Sail Training Program (CSTP) for more than 40 years. The Leadership 44 coastal sail training vessels • are the Superintendent’s top priority • are designed to be a floating leadership platform, providing Cadets a maritime experience that is difficult to recreate with large cutters • will be the primary platform for the 2/c Coastal Sail Training Program, which is considered by most cadets to be their seminal leadership experience while at the Academy • will provide all cadets with small craft command and control, navigation, and seamanship experiences • will be used as an extension of the cadet barracks, with each cadet Company having access to, and responsibility for, its own boat • will extend the waterfront season, providing Cadets more time underway • will allow for standardization of the off-shore sailing program • will showcase the Coast Guard Academy as one of the premier waterfront facilities in the country Partners U.S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association Coast Guard Foundation CGA Parents Association Above information from www.cgaleadership44.org/mission.html (©2010 CGALeadership44.org) 2 GLPA Spring 2011 Newsletter (President’s Message Continued from page provide reports, write checks, co- you meet about the opportunities 1) ordinate picnic activities and be an of CGA education and service. While Harvard went by the all-round cheerleader. Thank you, Remember, our SWAB picnic is wayside, Andrew did live his life Deb, and all best as Mark gradu- Saturday, June 11, 12 noon CDT, focused on the Academy. His ates and you move on to other at the Michigan City, IN USCG motto was, “I was born ready,” so endeavors. Donna O’Brien, our station (which is in the Central it’s amazing that’s what the CG Secretary, keeps track of our meet- time zone). We have a bonus pic- uses in its current advertising. ings, updates our roster (a huge nic scheduled Saturday, June 18, Now, here we are, ready to gradu- job), and responds to many inquir- at USCG Station Milwaukee. ate … and to commence a life of ies that come in to the Chapter. (Details in this newsletter.) service. It’s pure joy. She also schedules and handles A Final Note logistics for our SWAB picnic. As I participated in Parent What a special opportunity Association activities — local and Lots of busy work very well han- dled. Mike Nolan, our webmaster, and privilege it has been to serve national — I developed greater as your president for two years. As pride in this organization: A na- has worked to maintain web com- munication within our broad-based the Academy years roll by, we all tionally recognized academic insti- learn the meaning and importance tution (see articles in this newslet- geographic area. Thank you, Mike, and all the best as you move for- of our parents’ slogan, “Semper ter); the only U.S. service acad- Gumby” (Always flexible.) We emy that admits cadets on merit ward. Terry Anderson helped tre- mendously with fundraising, par- roll with each change, appreciate alone; and the only life-saving the opportunities, and work effec- military service. I learned so much ticularly manning our Great Lakes booth at Parents’ Weekend. Thank tively with them. We’re busy peo- about the CGA as a volunteer. I ple in far-flung geographic areas. encourage each one of you to iden- you, Terri, as you also move for- ward when Jessica graduates. While we seldom see each other, tify ways to volunteer with this don’t communicate often by email, wonderful organization. Finally, very special thanks to Anne and Jeff Dooley, whose son, and rarely run into each other at Website James, graduated in 2008. They Academy activities, we all share a The national parent associa- stepped forward to set up and man special bond knowing our children tion is working to coordinate and a Great Lakes booth at R-Day last have grown to embrace a philoso- strengthen chapter websites, work- year and to assume responsibility phy of service to our country. ing in cooperation and harmony for the newsletter in 2010-2011. When I went to a party in FL, with regional chapters to make Thank you, Anne and Jeff, for mentioned Andrew’s graduation, communication stronger, more your dedication and continued and learned that, in the next room effective and more user-friendly. active involvement. there was a 1945 CGA graduate, I was amazed and thrilled. I walked I’m proud that our Great Lakes How Can You Get Involved? Chapter was recognized by the in and said, “Where’s the national organization for stepping As we look to our new year Coastie?” Immediately, a tanned forward to take the lead to incor- which begins at our annual meet- man in his late 80’s beamed and porate changes and improvements.