the QQuuaarrtteerrddeecckk LLoogg Membership publication of the Coast Guard Combat Veterans Association. Publishes quarterly — Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Not sold on a subscription basis. The Coast Guard Combat Veterans Association is a Non-Profit Corporation of Active-Duty, Retired, Reserve, and Honorably Discharged Former Members of the United States Coast Guard who served in or provided direct support to combat situations recognized by an appropriate military award while serving as a member of the United States Coast Guard. Volume 27, Number 2 Summer 2012 “Back to Boot Camp” Event at Cape May Coast Guard Training Center Ready to Host CGCVA Members and Guests October 11-13, 2012 Looks like things are really coming together for the CGCVA events there, attendees will have to pay for their “Back to Boot Camp” get-together thanks to Terry Lee, own hotel and meals but Gary Sherman and Terry Lee Gary Sherman, and of course, our host and CGCVA are negotiating rates with a few area hotels there to member CAPT William Kelly, commanding officer of obtain a reasonable off-season group rate. To simplify USCG Training Center Cape May, N.J. Like previous things, those interested in attending are requested to contact Gary Sherman at [email protected] and provide their name and the names of any other guests, along with their hotel requirements. In that way, Gary and Terry will have a complete list and hopefully get the best rate. Once done, Gary will notify attendees of that rate and reservations can be made. You can also call Terry Lee at 908- 319-3477. At the moment, the “Back to Boot Camp” schedule looks like this: Thursday, October 11th — (At hotel) Registration, cocktail hour, socializing, name tag issue and training center entry instructions (1400-1900). CGCVA Evening Colors at 1800 on Cape May beach (optional). Free time in Cape May, dinner, etc., from 1900 until ... continued on page 2 In This Issue Cover Story Page 1&2 From the President Page 2-3 From the Secretary Page 4 Upcoming Reunions Page 5 Auxiliary News Page 5 Notices & Association News Page 6-13 From the Service Officers Page 14 2011 Convention & Reunion Page 15-18 Feature Stories Page 19-29 Ship’s Store Page 30 CGCVA-Funded Vietnam Monument at USCG Training Center CGCVA Membership Form Page 31 Cape May, N.J. Cover Story continued from page 1 Friday, October 12th — Gather in hotel parking lot to convoy to training center (0800). Breakfast (optional) at the training center Harbor Club for $7.00 (0830). Base indoctrination with parents of graduating recruits in Ida Lewis Auditorium (1000). Graduation ceremony on parade field or in gymnasium (1100). Coast Guard Combat Veterans Assn. Lunch at Enlisted Mess (1200). Base tour following lunch. Forming of new Recruit Company in Sexton Hall OFFICERS (1430) followed by shopping at Exchange. At 1600, re - National President — PNP Ed Swift, LM turn to hotel for free time. Join up in hotel parking lot National Vice President — Floyd (Butch) Hampton, LM at 1730 to convoy back to training center. Cocktail hour National Secretary/Treasurer — Gary Sherman, LM, at Oceanside Club, if available, followed by dinner there at 1900. BOARD OF TRUSTEES Saturday, October 13th — Ad hoc breakfast at hotel Chairman — PNP Paul C. Scotti, LM Two-Term — E.P. “Ed” Burke, LM & Ernest “Swede (0800-1000) followed by open gangway at Training Johnson, LM Center (1000-1400). Hotel check-out and farewells One-Term — Hal Robbins, LM & Pat Denney, LM (0900-1200). That’s it in a nutshell. More involved than our ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE* previous one-day, bang-bang events and looks to be National Secretary/Treasurer exciting and memorable. CAPT Kelly and his staff are 3245 Ridge Pike really looking forward to hosting a large CGCVA Eagleville, PA 19403 contingent so if there’s any way you’re able to attend, Phone: (610) 539-1000 you will certainly be treated well. Just be sure to let E-mail: [email protected] Gary Sherman know that you’ll be attending ASAP so he Website: www.coastguardcombatvets.com and Terry Lee can get an accurate headcount and *use the Administrative Office for contact with the negotiate the best possible hotel rate for the group. CGCVA on all matters. THE QUARTERDECK LOG From the President Editor In Chief — PNP Ed Swift, LM Assistant Editor — Frank Bari 2013 Convention (Send submissions to [email protected] ) and Reunion AUXILIARY OFFICERS We have a signed contract for National President — Liz Scotti our 2013 convention and it will National Vice President — Beverly Johnson be held at the Silver Legacy National Secretary/Treasurer — Mimi Placencia Resort Casino in Reno, Nevada April 29 to May 3, 2013. And APPOINTED OFFICERS although not all logistics have By-Laws — Thomas W. Hart, LM; Convention Planners been ironed out (still working — Floyd Hampton, LM; Steve Petersen, LM; Bob Hellers, on activities for tours) we feel LM; and Mike Placencia, LM; Membership — PNP Joe it’s the right time to publish Ed Swift Kleinpeter, LM; Parliamentarian — Mike Placencia, LM; reunion information so you can Historian — PNP Paul C. Scotti, LM; Service Officers — start planning and mark your calendars. Thomas Huckelberry, LM and Floyd Hampton, LM; Budget Director — Gary Sherman, LM; Chaplain — Vince Patton, LM; Master at Arms — Ed Floyd, LM; Next QD Log deadline is November 1, Webmaster — Bill Wells, LM; Nominating Chairman — 2012. Please email articles and photos Bill Figone, LM; Cape May Liaison — Terry Lee, LM to the editor at: [email protected] From the President Our reunion committee members of Mike Placencia, attempts go back to Desert Shield/Storm (where I and Steve Petersen have worked very hard to make this served) but until now the potential to reach these USCG a truly first-class event. While I will be unable to attend troops/units simply wasn’t possible. the convention (hopefully I will have a new lung by To learn more, go to: www.yellowribbon.mil or then), I extend my very best wishes to all and hope that www.uscg.mil/reserve/yellowribbon . the turn-out will be bigger than ever. I have included four pages of information in this Miscellaneous issue, including a 2-page registration form for your The photo on page 9 shows the CGC Point Young’s convenience. All the costs are firm with the exception ‘potato bin’ or hatch cover from Vietnam. The gent who of the Tuesday, April 30th tour/activity, so a random is currently in possession of this unique artifact would amout has been inserted. This may or may not be the like to donate it to a Coast Guard museum or other actual cost but it is based on an average of previous such appropriate place. Before he does though, he would activities, and adjustments will be made later. appreciate hearing from other Point Young crewmen Please send completed registration forms to Mike who might have photos of the cover or care to express Placencia at 9804 Iroquois Lane in Bakersfield, CA their opinion on where it should go. This cover is 93312-5323. probably one of the few tangible artifacts from one of If you have questions about the 2013 Reno conven - the 26 cutters that were left in Vietnam and probably tion, call Mike at 661-401-0609 or email him at: the most distinctive item with the carved USCG Shield [email protected] . and Coast Guard Squadron One lettering. Please contact You can also contact Steve Petersen at 361-354- C. Meyer at C.MEYER @ [email protected] or 573-480- 4119 or at email: [email protected] . 2701. As I write this column, coincidentally on August 4th, Yellow Ribbon Program I think back on all the many Coast Guard Day picnics I was recently contacted by LCDR Robert Cooper, a and ceremonies I have participated in over the years, CG reservist and CG combat veteran who deployed and hopefully will again. I thank everyone for keeping twice to CENTCOM (2003 & 2008) in support of me in your thoughts and prayers. I am thankful to have Operations Enduring Freedom & Iraqi Freedom. so very many true friends and shipmates. God Bless you He is currently recalled to active duty at CGHQ and all! God Bless our wonderful Association and our Coast serves as a Program Coordinator for the Coast Guard’s Guard! And God Bless the USA! Semper Paratus! Swifty Yellow Ribbon Program where he oversees Yellow Ribbon events throughout the country for our deploying Coasties and their families. These events are held during all phases of the unit’s deployment including pre, during & post deployment. Bottom line is the CGCVA has been invited to participate in Yellow Ribbon events. As CGCVA national president I was delighted to learn about the Coast Guard's Yellow Ribbon Program and I pledged our Association's full support. In fact, I told LCDR Cooper that for years I had been trying to obtain advance (unclassified) information regarding CG troops and units deploying to, serving in and returning from combat Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp speaks at a Coast zones so that the CGCVA could provide needed Guard Yellow Ribbon Program breakfast in Seattle May 26, 2011. materials as well as information on our Association, The Yellow Ribbon Program supports military familiies before, since all would eventually be eligible to join. My during and after oversees deployments. U.S. Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley. The Quarterdeck Log 3 Vol.27, No.2 From the Secretary Shipmates, the envelope, then forward Occasionally, we get large envelopes or packages the information to the sent to the Administrative office, here in Eagleville, PA, appropriate destination.