CG Forums Lead Moderator Something Wicked This Way Comes
Posted
Its been a while since we have seen a thread on this, so figured it was time for a little board morale. What was it? Cant just be everyday.
Like others, there are many for me, but my first SAR case in Dec 1995 is near the top. It was a vessel taking on water, and I had so much adrenaline pumping I failed to notice I didnt shift the radio off of Ch 16. I also failed to notice I was screaming on the radio. District called minutes after the case ended and asked the OOD "What the hell is going on down there?" I still laugh about it to this day.
January 19, 1996...my discharge date. Not trying to be sarcastic, it was just a great feeling knowing I served my ten years and was walking away on to better things. No regrets and some good memories.
Around November 4th, 1991. The four survivors from the downed USAF H-60 that we had on board were getting ready to board the small boat to be taken ashore. My Chief asked me to run up to the flying bridge and bring down the CG Ensign and give to the guys. The look of apreciation in their face for that small gesture (after our crew pulled them out of the ocean 4 days earlier) was priceless.
My first unit out of school was the Liz City firehouse. As an FNMK, I got to wheel that big P-40 crash truck down to a tankfarm fire on a mutual assistance thing, down to Edenton, NC.
Fire was out when we got there, didn't get to spray any water; but damn, that was fun driving that big sucker down those country roads with the sirens wailin' ...
Had a lotta good days tho ... up at 0200 laying on the helo deck with friends off Brazil, looking up at the stars and BSing ... made me feel very small in the universe.
The day the Pats won their first super bowl in 2002, we busted over 6 tons of drugs that day. it felt good to have all the OTH training and work come to fruition. We had others but this won proved the up and coming capabilities of the Guard.
My best and proudest day so far was Friday July 27th, 2007, the day I graduated boot camp. My dad and brother who are also Coasties presented my certificate. It was first time we were all in uniform together. Check out my profile and you'll see the picture from that day.
I had two best days. My first day 10/20/59 at Cape May, NJ A whole new world. My second best day was 11/1/79 at Clearwater, Fl A whole new world out there.
Being medevaced off the Jarvis on a 65 to ISC Kodiak because I had the chicken pox. The pilot took a route that led us through an inside passage of Kodiak island. We were flying low enough so you could literally see otters playing in the water below.
It looked like something you would see on National Geographic or the Discovery Channel. Totally awesome...!
It is kind of sad that in our jobs we might be having the best day ever only because someone else is having their worst.
I can honestly say there is not one day since I entered the Coast Guard that I haven't had a smile on my face. It is tough to come up with a BEST day especially with all the SAR and other fulfilling missions I have had the honor to conduct in my short career.
Had lots of great days and memories but at the top of the list would have to be the very first retirement check. When I found out the mailman would not salute the mailbox I had the payment changed to direct deposit.
Wow, this is hard.. I had several..... here are just a few...
1. My first COC as an E-6 OIC 2. MY Chief's Initiation at Baltimore, Md. 3. My first afloat COC as an OIC 4. Finding the last body from the Air Florida Flight 90 crash (baby) 5. Taking my entire crew (CAPSTAN) to Group Baltimore for awards presented by RADM Costello. 6. Having my E-9 devices pinned on me at Group Corpus, even if it was by an 0-6 Aviator 7. Having my Mother, Aunt , wife & kids attend my retirement ceremony at Ponce Inlet.
Coming home from GW I and having a burger at the Hardy's outside of Andrew's AFB, smelling the pine tree scent in the air and calling my lovely wife, telling her I was home.
Forgive an Auxiliarist from jumping in here. Running a SAR, pulled into a cove to find a couple of cruisers rafted up. They saw us and started throwing lots of dope of various types overboard thinking they were busted. Sat there for a short minute till they were done while we called in the LE guys. Very funny!
One that comes to mind is after leaving Key West AOR following an intense 3 week migrant run on the 110.... we had been up the better part of 36 hours, but we were all so pumped up to be headed home we just stayed up and screwed around playing jokes on each other the whole way in. I think those are the little things that stick with you.
Originally posted by Mightyz90_93: Around November 4th, 1991. The four survivors from the downed USAF H-60 that we had on board were getting ready to board the small boat to be taken ashore. My Chief asked me to run up to the flying bridge and bring down the CG Ensign and give to the guys. The look of apreciation in their face for that small gesture (after our crew pulled them out of the ocean 4 days earlier) was priceless.
Phil,
Was this the case from the Tamaroa? I was at station Portsmouth Harbor during that timeframe, that was quite a storm.
2. The look of pride on the BMCM/OinC's face when we made a 542 lb coke bust in Islamorada also in '88.
3. Having my parents, grandfather, brothers, sister and a few friends ride along aboard the Chase during the America's Cup Races in Rhode Island in 83'
This is a tuffy. So many to choose from but most (all but one) revolve around my time onboard TAMAROA...in no particular order.
The Halloween Storm. The Voodoo Chicken Tour. I was inport OOD when some QM1, who shall remain nameless (Rich, are you out there?) brought the chickens onboard while in GTMO. Advancement to E7 in October '91 and then making Chief in November '91. Retirement...a great time to look back and see if you actually accomplished anything.
Don't let your office mate Jeff off the hook for that one! Man, I though Raya was goint to loose his marbles on that one! By the way, yes I have seen Rich on here lately. He goes by uscgqmcret.
Remember the two poor schlubs trying to explain to the Capt that "VooDoo Chicken Tour" (that they painted on the pier face in GTMO) was not an ethnic slam against our 250 'guests' without letting him know about the 3-4 Chickens that the PO1s smuggled on board?
The following year, our D7 patrol (NJP 93) was just as interesting. More MASTS than boardings, in DISTRICT SEVEN!
