Drill Team

May 1st was a sunny spring day in the City of Annapolis, MD. The temperature was between 70 and 80 degrees with a breeze. It was the opening of the Maryland Maritime Heritage Festival and the transfer of a well-known landmark, the Thomas Point Lighthouse, to the community.

Harold Cramer, FSO-PA, 15-1, D5-SR, and Dr. Richard C. Lavy, National Division Chief, Health and Safety, had been planning and preparing for months for this event. The focal point of the opening ceremonies was a patriotic tribute to the U.S. Coast Guard with the U.S. Naval Academy Band providing the stirring music.

Dave Gendell, co-founder and editor of the “SpinSheet” magazine, was the Master of Ceremonies for the opening ceremonies and he introduced Dr. Lavy to the attendees.

Following introduction of the distinguished guests, the Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard from Alexandria, VA presented the Colors. The Naval Academy Band played the national anthem and Coast Guard Group Air Station Atlantic City, NJ, provided a low-level HH-65A helo fly-over.

Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer welcomed everyone to the city and the festival. Mayor Moyer spoke of the importance of our maritime heritage.

Dr. Lavy then introduced the U.S. Coast Guard Ceremonial Drill Team, also from Alexandria, VA, who performed for crowd. The Silent Drill Team is comprised of one Drill Master and 16 handpicked honor guard Seamen and that have excelled in military weapons’ drill. Their routine included rifle spinning, throwing, and catching. The Silent Drill Team has performed at numerous functions throughout the nation.

The Coast Guard guests that were present and on the podium included: Vice Admiral Paul Higgins, Office of Health and Safety, Coast Guard Headquarters; Rear Admiral Sally Brice-O'Hara, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District; Captain Curt Springer, Commander, Activities Baltimore; and Chief Jeffrey Cole, Officer in Charge, Station Annapolis. Representing the Auxiliary were Dal Bailey, Rear Commodore, Central Area, D5-SR, and Robert Riggins, Division Captain, Division 15.

In his remarks, Dr. Lavy said, “We are here today to pay tribute to the men and women of the United States Coast Guard, an organization made up of four components, the active duty, the Reserve, the Auxiliary and the civilian workers.”

“This makeup is unique to the United States military forces. The Coast Guard is the only service that has an Auxiliary of civilian volunteers who, except for direct military operations and law enforcement, are authorized by an act of Congress to assist the active duty,” Dr. Lavy said.

“I have heard active duty personnel say that they could not complete their mission without the support and participation of the men and women of the Auxiliary. The active duty recognizes the Auxiliary for its activities in recreational boating safety, providing courses to educate the public in the principles of safe boating.” He added, “The Auxiliary conducts vessel safety checks to ascertain that boats are equipped in accordance with state and federal requirements, and they assist on the water with safety, regatta, and pollution patrols and, more recently, maritime domain awareness patrols.”
He also mentioned some of the non-standard roles the Auxiliary contributes to the active duty Coast Guard, “Performing such diverse activities as communication watchstanders, boat crew personnel, commercial fishing vessel examiners, interpreters, emergency medical responders and supplementary medical and dental resources.”

“The mission of the active duty and reserve varies from certifying life jackets or other items used in boating and the providing boat crews to help boaters in distress or major incidents as an airline disaster or fire at sea. They also help preserve our natural resources by monitoring fishing, responding to incidents of pollution, and combating the illegal importation of drugs and aliens. Since 9/11, they are performing homeland security activities to protect our country from terrorist attacks though our shores or waterways. They are always prepared to keep us safe from the seas, the seas from pollution, preserve our natural resources and protect the nation from persons who wish to harm it,” he said.

“Many people are not aware of the fact that the men and women of the Coast Guard have participated in every major military action of the United States since 1790 for the protection of our country and our liberties,” he said.

“Coast Guard personnel escorted convoys to Europe in World War II and drove landing craft at Normandy. They rescued marines from Guadalcanal, where Congressional Medal of Honor recipient Coast Guardsman Petty Officer Douglas Munro lost his life. Others served in Vietnam and during the first Gulf war, and others are serving in the Middle East as we enjoy this beautiful day. Just recently, Coast Guard Petty Officer Nathan Bruckenthal lost his life in combat in service to his country,” said Dr. Lavy.

“Thank you to the men and women of the United States Coast Guard. We owe them all our gratitude. When you see any of the men and women that wear the uniform of our country say, ‘Hello!’ and ‘Thank you!’” he said.

Dr. Lavy concluded by saying, “God bless them and God bless The United States of America! Semper Paratus!”

Following the tribute, Mayor Moyer invited RADM Brice-O'Hara to cut the ceremonial ribbon and they jointly declared the festival open. To the delight of the children, young and old, the Anne Arundel (MD) fire boat put on a water display.

The ceremony to transfer the Thomas Point Lighthouse to the community followed. RADM Brice-O'Hara, a native of Annapolis, represented the Coast Guard during the ceremonial transfer. The Admiral addressed the crowd and remarked on the significance of the transfer of Thomas Point Lighthouse to the community.

The Heritage Festival continued through the following day with displays by Flotilla 15-1, Coast Guard recruiters, Department of Natural Resources, the Annapolis Maritime Museum, Maryland State Police, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Chesapeake Chapter of the Lighthouse Society and others.

There was music and activities throughout both days. Coastie attended to greet the children on Sunday. Other activities included face painting, make and sail your own boat, and a Labrador Retriever demonstration. There was even a Hydroplane and Jersey Skiff there for the children climb aboard.

Vessel safety checks were offered to the public on both days.