I was just checking out the local newspaper in Traverse City (TVC) and came across this two articles. I didn't know there were already 9 other "CG Cities".
quote:
Published: August 24, 2009 07:28 am
TC applies to be 'Coast Guard city'
Coast Guard has served the area for nearly 7 decades
By Sheri McWhirter smcwhirter@record-eagle.com
TRAVERSE CITY -- Local officials intend to tout the U.S. Coast Guard's presence in Traverse City.
City commissioners this week applied to the Coast Guard's commandant, Adm. Thad Allen in Washington, D.C., to receive designation as a Coast Guard city. There are only nine such cities in the United States, including Grand Haven on Lake Michigan's shoreline, the nation's first Coast Guard city.
A city's special effort to acknowledge the Coast Guard is considered a major requirement for such a designation, said Cmdr. Jonathan Spaner, top officer at Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City. The community does that well, he said.
Coast Guard members receive military discounts at most local businesses, appreciation days at baseball games and a local ski facility, and heroes night at the National Cherry Festival. Traverse City Area Public Schools also held a panel just for Coast Guard families to discuss education options while they are stationed here, Spaner said.
"They add up to remarkable support for the Coast Guard and our veterans," Spaner said. "I think it makes a very compelling application."
There are about 150 active duty Coast Guard members in Traverse City and when combined with veterans and family members, they number more than 500. The air station opened in 1946 after the Coast Guard operated from the airport for five years.
Spaner said the greatest advantage of city designation would be to officially memorialize nearly seven decades of Coast Guard service to the community in the heart of the Great Lakes. Additionally, Traverse City could include Coast Guard insignia on signs and documents, he said.
Local Coast Guard members and their families are an integral part of Traverse City and earning such a designation would underscore that, said Mayor Michael Estes.
"This is something Traverse City can be proud of. People love the Coast Guard here," Estes said. "I think there's an added sense of security for our boating community. The Coast Guard is right here."
Grand Haven became the first Coast Guard city in November 1998. Others followed, including Eureka, Calif., Morgan City, La., Mobile, Ala., Wilmington, N.C., Newport, Ore., Alameda, Calif., Kodiak, Alaska; and Rockland, Maine.
A host of politicians, agencies and nonprofit organizations lined up to support Traverse City's application and more are expected, Spaner said.
Allen and other Coast Guard officials will review the application and if approved, forward it to Congress for final authorization.
Editorial: Cheers: 08/31/2009
-- To city commissioners in Traverse City for applying to the Coast Guard commandant to have the city designated as a Coast Guard city. Only nine such cities in the United States, including Grand Haven on Lake Michigan's shoreline, have attained the status. In support of the local Coast Guard unit, members receive military discounts at most local businesses, appreciation days at baseball games and a local ski facility, and heroes night at the National Cherry Festival. Traverse City Area Public Schools also held a panel just for Coast Guard families to discuss education options while they are stationed here. There are about 150 active duty Coast Guard members in Traverse City and when combined with veterans and family members, they number more than 500.
I've thought for a long time that Elizabeth City should be one and also Cape May. I wonder if the Coast Guard or Congress will ever say 'enough already'.
Originally posted by LetsGoRedSox: You would think that Cape May, NJ would be one of them.
I have often wondered about that myself.
Eureka CA has not been able to do a heck of a lot the last 2-3 years due to severe budget constraints. With the timber industry cut-backs, the fisheries almost bottoming out, as well as the threats to cut back the State Parks budgets - therefore limiting the only other "industry", tourism - things have been bleak up here. The local Navy League does do quite a bit to support our units, but they are also limited to what they can provide.
"Your Focus Determines Your Reality....." - Qui Gonn Jinn
Originally posted by LetsGoRedSox: You would think that Cape May, NJ would be one of them.
If you go into the Public Affairs Manual and read the criteria for this it will help with understanding the process. There is a lot of focus on what the community does for the Coast Guard and its members that leads to the designation, along with some push from the local politicans on the hill. In looking at Cape May I can tell you that it pretty much a one way relationship.
Originally posted by LetsGoRedSox: You would think that Cape May, NJ would be one of them.
If you go into the Public Affairs Manual and read the criteria for this it will help with understanding the process. There is a lot of focus on what the community does for the Coast Guard and its members that leads to the designation, along with some push from the local politicans on the hill. In looking at Cape May I can tell you that it pretty much a one way relationship.
That's too bad. Maybe it's time to cut the losses and move out of Cape May for friendlier pastures??
I marched in the Cherry Festival while stationed with the Honor Guard in 78. Flew up on a c130 to TC air sta and had a ball. I thought it was a Coast Guard city way back then as they really embraced and welcomed the Coasties.
Originally posted by LetsGoRedSox: You would think that Cape May, NJ would be one of them.
I have often wondered about that myself.
Eureka CA has not been able to do a heck of a lot the last 2-3 years due to severe budget constraints. With the timber industry cut-backs, the fisheries almost bottoming out, as well as the threats to cut back the State Parks budgets - therefore limiting the only other "industry", tourism - things have been bleak up here. The local Navy League does do quite a bit to support our units, but they are also limited to what they can provide.
I was stationed there when the Comdt came out to sign the 'official papers' and celbrate the designation. I wouldn't say there was a lot of 'budget' needed things done then. Maybe the Mayor's Ball, which was always CG Focused, but that and hanging flags was about the only cost issue. Mostly it was the Mayor, (who was married to a CG veteran), who just consistantly paid respect to the CG and the families.
I say GIVE IT to Traverse City, it sounds like they definately earned it for supporting us coasties over the years!! Hopefully both HQ and Congress approve it
I lived Travers City when I was a kid my dad joined the CG when he was 17 years old. All my uncles lived in Travers city all my uncles joined the CG My mom worked the light house mail room my dad was a lighthouse keeper Mom Married my dad my dad adopted Jeri she's still alive in Torrance CA she lives in a mobile home she takes the rent checks I will call her daily
Having a large unit in a city or a city saturate in Coast Guard does not make it a Coast Guard city. That city needs to go above and beyond, not just accept or support the Coast Guard but go out of its way to "love" it. I was in Cape May for 2 years. Yes, there is a good deal of Coast Guard there...but it is far from a "Coast Guard City". There are a good number of cities that are like that....
"Can't imagine that city without the Coast Guard...."
Ok, but do you hear about all the events the city plans for the Coast Guard, and did the city plan them, or just work with the Coast Guard?
Originally posted by 2494906: I believe E-City has been vying for this title for a while now. I know Morgan City, LA also at one point was competing.
You are correct, E-city has been vying for it for quite some time. But as other posters have pointed out, the city must absolutely love the Coast Guard and quite honestly in the total of 12 years I've spent here in differant tours I can't say I've seen the love! More serviceman's discounts in stores would be a good start!
Originally posted by 2494906: I believe E-City has been vying for this title for a while now. I know Morgan City, LA also at one point was competing.
You are correct, E-city has been vying for it for quite some time. But as other posters have pointed out, the city must absolutely love the Coast Guard and quite honestly in the total of 12 years I've spent here in differant tours I can't say I've seen the love! More serviceman's discounts in stores would be a good start!
I was at the opening of the museum a couple of days ago. They have a great CG section there. That's a nice museum.
Airedales get all the credit! Wilmington NC has been a supporter and not just a home port for the CG since the 1900’s. Just take a trip through the small shops on the boardwalk and see the old photos of cutters (such as the USCGC Seminole) that are being sold. I lived there for six years, (wife still does) and never spent a day in public wearing anything CG related and did not get stopped, thanked, or questioned. The CGC Diligence moors 20 feet from the Main Street, and the people there feel as if She belongs to them. Don’t believe me? Ask them.
