GLPA Newsletter Summer 2013 Issue Published by the Great Lakes Chapter of the United States Coast Guard Academy Parents’ Association in August, January, and May. 2012-13 Chapter Officers President’s Message R-Day. Our chapter had an incredibly successful sign-up for We would like to begin the this year: We registered 19 Presidents Presidents letter with a chorus of families, consisting of 11 men and Tom & Sue Smith (Kari ‘16) welcomes for the 19 Great Lakes 8 women. Because of recruiting [email protected] members of the class of 2017. We efforts at out table on R-Day, we wish them and all our USCGA were able to extend our family to Vice Presidents cadets best wishes for a strong and the states of Missouri and Scot Sutschek (Kyle ‘15) successful academic year. We Nebraska, which means we now [email protected] also extend hearty congratulations cover 8 States. We extend a BIG for a job well done to the 17 newly welcome to those who joined us commissioned ensigns from the Secretary this year and thanks to those who Great class of 2013. We hope to VACANT helped our Great Lakes family hear soon about all their grow! Just recently, we shared endeavors. Treasurer some of the stories of swab We wish to extend a special thank Carlene Smith (Kendra ‘14) summer at our latest meeting in you to Peg and Bruce Talbot for [email protected] August. We again hope all the their 2 years as Co-Presidents and now 4/C cadets have a successful their tireless work on behalf of the start to their first Academic term. Web Masters chapter. Their efforts, which Peg Talbot (Ens Erin ‘13) included scheduling, hosting UPCOMING DATES [email protected] events, maintaining contacts, and especially chairman of the Newsletter Editor USCGA/USMMA co-hosted 27-29 September 2013: Parents’ VACANT Northern Illinois All Academy Weekend on campus. Ball have provided countless 17-20 October 2013: USCGA Facebook Page Manager benefits for our cadets & families. Home Coming events on campus. Bruce Talbot ( Ens, Erin ‘13) They are also willing to continue December All Academy Balls: [email protected] to maintain our Web and Face Illinois– Dec. 28 Oak Brook, IL Book page and we are very [email protected] grateful for this important Ways and Means contribution. Another important Indianapolis– No date yet, Kathleen Harrison contributor is Lt. James Dooley’s USAFA parents hosting. dad Jeff, who has published our Michigan– Dec.27 Troy, MI usa- chapter newsletter for many years. [email protected] We have received a numerous Minnesota– Dec. 28 Wayzata, compliments on his work. Thank MN [email protected] you, Jeff, for all of those ‘professionally done’ newsletters! St. Louis– Dec 28 Hilton Ball As he retires from this job, we will Park hotel, Kathy Gatti seek to continue this newsletter [email protected] through new volunteers. If you Wisconsin– Dec.27 Pewaukee, are familiar with Microsoft WI [email protected] Publisher we need your help. Something you’d like to see in 18-19 January 2014 USCGA In updating our activities this year, the GLPA Newsletter? Send it Glee Club visits Chicago! in to [email protected] we had 5 Swabs and 1 Scholars 23-26 January 2014 Strictly Sail Submissions are always Program candidate join us for our annual Swab Picnic. We were Chicago Show USCGA booth, desired. I am the editor, but fortunate to meet all of them (less [email protected] YOU are the reporters! one) and their families in person at 1 GLPA Summer 2013 Newsletter USCGA 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 valu- able leadership experience – often their first experience at command and control at sea. A ship under sail tests the true character and mettle of a young officer and provides invaluable 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 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 2 GLPA Summer 2013 Newsletter (President’s Message from page 1) individuals to step up and Many of us are looking forward to volunteer their time and especially Show Your our Academy visit for Parents their talents. We currently have Coast Guard Weekend, which is Sept. 27-29. openings for chapter secretary and Pride! This provides an ideal opportunity newsletter editor. At the end of to officially join the Parents this year we will be looking for a Order Now at Association, if you have not treasurer. When activities might carlenedavid already done so. The table for already find you at the Academy; @sbcglobal.net registration is normally right in the our call for action can include your center of the Leamy Hall Lobby. help in providing a couple of hours or 630-968-6761 We sincerely hope all Parents of to staff our chapter table during Cover Necklace the class of 2017 will finalize this events such as at Parents Weekend Coast Guard Necklace process. It is important that you and R-Day. (Yes, it is really Eagle Necklace Medallion Necklace designate the Great Lakes as your interesting to see it from the Only 2 of these left!! Order Chapter on the registration form. ‘inside’ vantage point!) This is an quickly!! A portion of your dues goes a long opportunity to help with our way towards supporting our fundraising (and it is not high cadets, and provides us with the pressure). It is also an opportunity resources to conduct our meetings to meet and converse with other (Parent Gatherings). This is the Great Lakes parents and families. foundation for building and In fact, you will all see a sign-up maintaining our network with each sheet circulated in an email soon – other. we encourage you to try starting We would like to remind you of your volunteer experience here! both the power and the value of Be sure to let us know if you have volunteering in the Parents any additional ideas for our 2014 Association, and also gifting to the schedule or for the future. We extent of your abilities. While appreciate any input to help us to volunteering your time and talents grow. can be at the national or local In closing, we thank all of you for level, it generally begins with your whatever you are doing or are local chapter. It is both needed considering to further our Sons and appreciated. As parents, we and Daughters future in the finest have all done the best job we branch of the military – The could in preparing our daughters United States Coast Guard – and and sons for success. But,… the we wish all of those able to make job is not done. While they still the trip out for Parents Weekend a need our encouragement, our safe journey and a heartfelt listening ears, and our prayers; the Welcome! Parents Association offers a wonderful opportunity to go beyond these efforts. It provides a Tom & Sue Smith direct and current link with those Class of 2016 Parents who are part of the Academy CGA GLPA Presidents experience. We are able to see and learn from those who have gone before our cadets. We also learn to empathize with, and guide those who follow. Our Great Lakes Chapter organization is always searching for ways to be inclusive to all within our large geographic area. Our motto: “Semper Gumby” (Always Flexible) keeps us open to new ideas. We allow ourselves the ability to grow with and adapt to the formative process of our cadet Families. As in any organization that thrives, we need 3 GLPA Summer 2013 Newsletter Up-Coming Events USCGA Choral Group to Visit Chicago Put a SAVE THE DATE on your calendar: The Fairwinds and Idlers (together called the Chorale) groups within the Coast Guard Academy Glee Club will be coming to Chicago on Martin Luther King weekend.