 |
|
(L to R)Auxiliarist Robert Hudler,Jr, |
On the opening day, Friday December 4, The USCG Cutter MACKINAW arrived at the Navy pier. The vessel was escorted by Chicago Fireboat and police boats. The Rickover Military Academy Band provided the background music. Auxiliarists John Reinert, Ed Burns and Jyneen St John provided line handling for ship docking.
After being welcomed by Chicago’s Christmas Ship’s Official Party, the cutter welcomed aboard a field trip by Manteno School, with just under 500 children (8 fully loaded school buses) for a ship's tour. Cutter decorating by Chicago’s Marine Community volunteers, assisted by ships crew, took place during the afternoon hours.
On board tours by participating youth groups and other school children continued throughout the day. Auxiliarists John Reinert, Ed Burns, Matt Gies and Janice Jones conducted the Seapartners, America's Waterway Watch, Invasive Species and Fish Barrier programs. Auxiliarist Rick Tamraz coordinated the ship tour personnel.
The second day of the event, Saturday, started well before 0800. Participating Auxiliarists arrived most having received a tasking briefing prior to the event. Refreshments for registered volunteers were provided by McDonalds, as well as the Salvation Army Disaster Response Unit which was on scene providing coffee, hot chocolate and doughnuts. Auxiliarist Steven Evenstad, working as the volunteer coordinator, electronically registered and directed the 434 volunteers.
At 9:30am volunteers commenced off-loading trees from USCGC MACKINAW. Auxiliarists Jyneen St. John, John Reinert and Ed Burns supervised volunteers for off loading of trees and loading of trucks. This was an exceptional challenge which was executed with good order, no injuries or incidents were reported. In the time span from 1030 hrs. - 1150 hrs. 1,540 Christmas Trees were off loaded from the deck of CGC MACKINAW and loaded into 22 trucks for distribution to families who would otherwise not have a tree.
The Taft High School Choir with 40+ participants, coordinated by Auxiliarist Jay Katzman, began the program with a wonderful holiday presentation. Following the choir, Lee Murdock sang our signature song, “When the ‘Big Mac’ comes into the Harbor”. Off-loading of trees was suspended at this point to allow all to enjoy the presentations.
Following presentation of the colors, a memorial wreath ceremony was held in honor of those lost at sea. The presentation of the wreath was by US Merchant Marine Officers Honors Unit. Special guest speakers Capt. Luann Barndt, USCG, Commander Lake Michigan Sector and CDR Scott Smith, Captain of the USCGC Mackinaw gave inspired addresses which included the history of the Chicago Christmas Ship ROSE SIMMONS. The ship, which was last seen on November 23, 1912, with distress signals flying.
The presentation of trees to recipient families was made by Capt. George Lisner, Chicago's Christmas Ship. Our Master of Ceremonies called for a “Chicago send off” to the Christmas tree trucks.
After the last truck departed, The CG Cutter MACKINAW remained at Navy Pier, open for public tours for the remainder of the weekend. In all, 32 Auxiliarists participated in Chicago's Christmas Ship - Tenth Annual Event, helping making the event a spectacular success. As with all events of this magnitude, next year's program is already being planned.
|
|
Auxiliarists Alan Linday (L) and Mike Goodwin. |
|
| Auxiliarists Don Coggins and Linda Skavarla at the information booth. |
~HRW 01-24-10