Thursday evening, August 30. Try to imagine a menu consisting of Coney Island hot dogs, crab salad, cheese and crackers, tons of shrimp, smoked salmon salad and platters of indefinable little things. Then you have a choice of libations that include "Moose Milk" (with its very own secret recipe), pineapples filled with a wicked concoction, Delaware beer and "Mai Tai" by the gallon. Welcome to "Hospitality Night. "

By tradition, Thursday night is set aside for renewing old friendships and initiating new ones. Each of the three National areas, Atlantic East, Atlantic West and Pacific, and the districts therein, treat the attendees to the gastronomic specialties of their particular regions.

Coast Guard Sector Portland was gracious in providing the locale and the local weatherman provided the perfect evening weather. "I enjoy this camaraderie so much. I get to see friends and acquaintances that I haven’t seen in a year or more, " said Mrs. Joanne Perrone.

The previous days filled with meetings are put on the back burner for a few hours; the only burner to be seen was filled with tasty hot dogs. "My brain is getting a chance to heal tonight, " said DC-I Brett Grooms.