the Quarterdeck Log Membership publication altha Coast Guard Combat Veterans Association. Publishes quarterly - Winler. Spring, Summer, and Fall. Nol sold on a subscription basis. The Coast Guard Combat Veterans Association is a Non­ Profit Corporation of Active Duty Members, Retired Members, Reserve Members and Honorably Discharged Former Members 01 the United Slates Coast Guard who selVed in. or provided direct support 10 combat situa­ tions recognized by an appropriate military award while serving as a memberollhe United Stales Coast Guard. ASSOCIATION Volume 17, Number 3 Fall 2002 Reno Reunion Deemed Best Ever Ninth CGCVA Convention Welcomes 300 Members and Guests From one's arrival at the Peppermill Hotel & Casino Association. At the same time, the Auxiliary Luncheon you could sense that the 9th CGCVA Convention & was being held, also with a huge turn-out, and officers Reunion in downtown Reno would be something special. were elected for the ensuing term. Following both meet­ And it was. For the 300 CGCVA members, Auxiliary ings, a slot machine tournament was held. Several play­ members and guests, the next several days would offer ers earned cash or prizes and monies provided the an exciting variety of tours and events, in addition to the Association will be used to purchase phone calling cards necessary official business. for Coast Guard troops deploying overseas. Registration was carried out in an expeditious and The Awards Banquet highlighted the convention and, orderly manner and, once registered and wearing a lan­ like the CGCVA and CGCVA Auxiliary business meet­ yard with convention ID, attendees easily meandered up ings, resulted in a packed room. Many special activities a spiral staircase to the Hospitality Suite to enjoy a bev­ took place, inclUding a Table of Remembrance erage and chat with ship­ Ceremony, a reading of mates. names of members who Once everyone found had crossed the bar, an the site of the Opening emotional poem by Ceremony (it's a very Auxiliary President Shirley large hotel), they were Ramsey, and a flag-folding treated to remarks by ceremony. Coast Guard host CAPT Outgoing National Presi­ Derek Reiksts, the Chief, dent Jack Campbell provid­ Intelligence Division at ed remarks and presented Coast Guard Pacific the CGCVA Coast Guard Area, Alameda, CA, who Person of the Year Award was accompanied by his to SN Gavino Ortiz of Coast lovely wife Linda. Guard Station South Padre Both planned tours Island, TX. Jack was were sold-out so three assisted by RADM Timothy bus loads of folks enjoyed Riker who also served as a shipboard luncheon on the evening's keynote the M.S. Dixie as it CGCVA National President Jack Campbell (right) presents speaker, providing insights cruised Lake Tahoe one plaque to SN Gavino Ortiz of USCG Station South Padre on the post 9-11 Coast Island, TX. the CGCVA Coast Guard Person of the Year for day and a visit to Virginia Guard and how it has 2002. Assisting in the presentation was RADM Timothy City and Carson City adapted to fight the threat of Riker, USCGR (Ret.), key note speaker at the Awards another day. Banquet. terrorism nationwide. The CGCVA Business Ending the night was the Meeting was very well attended and culminated with the installation of CGCVA officers, trustees, directors and election of officers for the next term. A motion to hold committee chairmen, followed by camaraderie in the conventions every 18 months was passed and several Hospitality Suite. All in all, a most successful convention members offered suggestions regarding ways to and reunion. If you couldn't attend, turn to page 19 to see increase membership and get more visibility for the details and more photos on the Reno convention. From the President Dear Shipmates: Thank you for your confi­ dence in my abilities to serve as national president for the next term. I vow to keep our Association moving on an upward track, attracting new members and support­ ing the aims of the Coast Guard. Coast Guard Combat Veterans I certainly have some Association large shoes to fill as PNP Jack Campbell now moves OFFICERS to chair the CGCVA Board of Edward B. Swift, LM, National President Trustees. Thanks for all the ED SWIFT E. P. "Ed" Burke, LM, National Vice President help Jack... you have always Baker W. Herbert, LM, National Secretary-Treasurer been one of the Association's hardest chargers and I will gladly continue the many worthwhile projects you initiat­ BOARD OF TRUSTEES ed while serving as president and vice president. Chairman: I'd also like to congratulate Ed Burke, Baker Herbert, PNP John W. "Jack" Campbell, LM Bob Maxwell and Gil "Frenchy" Benoit for all jumping Two Term: back into the fray. Ed was elected vice president, Baker PNP RobertJ. Maxwell, LM elected to secretary-treasurer and Bob and Frenchy Gil "Frenchy" Benoit elected as trustees. The appointees remain in tact (why One Tenn: mess with a good thing). All in all, our Association has an Sidney "Herb" Weinstein extremely strong, forward-thinking group of officers, Patrick T. Denney, LM trustees and committee chairmen so we should be able to effect considerable positive change during the next 18 ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE' months. National Secretary-Treasurer That's correct. .. I said 18 months. One major decision P.O. Box 544 6629 Oakleaf Drive made at our Business Meeting was to hold conventions Westfield Center, OH 44251 every 18 months instead of every two years. That means Phone: (330) 887-5639 Fax: (330) 887-5539 our next convention will be held in the Spring of 2004 in Toll-Free: (866) 242-8277 Covington, Kentucky. This vote resulted in a By-Laws E-mail: [email protected] change that impacts the term of officers accordingly. We had about 300 attendees at the Reno reunion and 'use the Adm inistrative Office for contact with the I'm told that's the largest ever. From what I gathered lis­ CGCVA on all matters tening to folks there, this was also the best reunion ever so if you missed it, don't pass up our next one. We did a AUXILIARY OFFICERS few new things this time around, including a Table of Shirley Ramsey, National President Remembrance Ceremony capped by a rea.2!ng of the Linda Benoit, National Vice President names of our members who crossed the bar since the Jane Maxwell, National Secretary-Treasurer previous reunion. Also, our Service Officers Gil Benoit and Tom Huckelberry provided timely information regard­ THE QUARTERDECK LOG ing veterans benefits and will provide information in each Edward B. Swift, LM, Editor-In-Chief QD Log issue. At the next convention we plan to have David Teska, LM, Assistant Editor them offer a benefits session to all who are interested. Quite a lot of convention/reunion news to report on in APPOINTEES this issue so please read on. Again, thank you. I prom­ Walter W. Gorr, LM, Parliamentarian; Vince Stauffer, LM, ise to serve you well! Swifty By-Laws Chairman; William G. Miller, LM, Chaplain; PNP Robert J. Maxwell, LM, Budget Director & Convention Next Quarterdeck Log Planner; Patrick E. Ramsey, Membership Chairman; Robert F. MacLeod, LM, Ways & Means Director deadline is February 1, 2003 - '­ From the Vice President For my first article as national vice president, I want to Grantham and others, thank those of you that voted for me at the Biennial I look forward to this Business meeting in Reno, NV. I will attempt to assist term in office to serve our the National President Ed Swift and The National group of Coast Guard SecretaryfTreasurer Baker Herbert in anyway that I can. active, retired and former I will continue to serve on Bob Maxwell's committee to members that have served search and arrange for our future Reunion/Conventions. this great service over the This was to my knowledge the largest group we have years. Let us all support ever had and I believe that we all had a great time. I am our new national president very sorry that I cannot visit as much as I would like to and attempt to enlarge our but as the old saying goes, "Duty comes first". Maybe membership rolls by'con­ some day-if I can get all of the registrations correct and tacting someone you members can come in and get their envelopes without served with and know their any hassle, I will be able to visit more with you. address. Baker will be ED BURKE My thanks to the trustee's and chairpersons for their more than happy to assistance at the Registration Desk. It was well organ­ process their applications. Be certain that the applica­ ized, everyone showed up on time, did their job and no tion form you give out has the proper/current address for one was overworked. We'll continue this method of reg­ the National SecretaryfTreasurer. The simplest way is to istration in the future. My wife Nancy was there for the make copies of the application form in the Quarterdeck full trip and deserves a lot of credit and a big THANKS for Log and use them'. Postage is one of our biggest expens­ keeping the books straight. The Auxiliary desk was es so applications ned to be mailed to the correct address manned by President Shirley Ramsey and Vice (the first time). Thanks again and I look forward to my President Mare SWift, along with Jane Maxwell, Pearl term in office with Swifty and Baker. Ed Burke CGCVA Board of Trustees and Appointed Committee Chairmen, Directors or Positions PNP Jack Campbell Herb V\leinstein Patrick Denney Gil "Frenchy" Benoit PNP Bob Maxwell Trustee Chairman One Term Trustee One Term Trustee Two Term Trustee Two Term Trustee Vince Stauffer Walt Gorr Bill Miller Bill Figone Patrick Ramsey Robert MacLeod By-Laws Parliamentarian Chaplain Nominating Membership Ways & Means [The Quarterdeck Log 3 Vol.