Disney Finest Hours Honors Coast Guard

“The Finest Hours” celebrates a heroic, near impossible Coast Guard rescue — one of many in Coast Guard history
SALON.com
DAVID HELVARG
FRIDAY, JAN 29, 2016

From New Orleans after Katrina to a daring San Francisco Bay rescue, up-from-below leadership took center stage

In the book turned Disney action movie ‘The Finest Hours,” due out Jan. 29, Chris Pine plays real-life Coast Guard hero Bernie Webber. In February 1952 Webber and his crew of three saved 32 of 33 sailors trapped on the stern end of the Pendleton, a ship that split in two during a historic storm off New England. The Pendleton was one of two war-surplus tankers that were torn asunder by the monster storm’s 40-60-foot waves. Webber’s seamanship running his 36-foot motor lifeboat through snow-blown surf and making a near impossible rescue quickly earned him a place in the annals of gold-medal lifesaving.

Still, his rescue is just one of many in Coast Guard history. Its ranks of heroes who’ve pulled off similar amazing feats range from Alaska’s “Hell Roaring” Mike Healy to North Carolina’s Rasmus Midgett and Richard Etheridge to Rhode Island Lighthouse keeper Ida Lewis to the aviators and small boat crews who surged into New Orleans and the Gulf Coast following 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, saving 33,000 lives.
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Coast Guard Finds 4th Life Raft of Missing Marines

4th life raft recovered from crashed choppers, but still no sign of 12 missing Marines
Hawaii News Now
Jan 19, 2016

There was no indication that any survivors were ever on the three life rafts that were recovered, the Coast Guard said. There was also no one on board the fourth raft that was recovered on Monday.

Search crews had a moment of silence Monday morning for the 12 Marines still missing after two helicopters crashed off Oahu's North Shore. Image Source: U.S. Department of Defense

HALEIWA, OAHU (HawaiiNewsNow)
All four life rafts from the two choppers that collided off Oahu's North Shore have been recovered on Monday but with no sign of any survivors, according to an official with the U.S. Marines.

In spite of this, rescuers on Tuesday will continue searching for the 12 Marines who were on board the two helicopters when they crashed late Thursday. This would be the fifth day of search-and-rescue operations.

More than 60 Marines will continue combing North Shore beaches for debris through the day, while multiple county, state and federal agencies continue to participate in the search effort by air and sea.

Navy divers have also been dispatched, and are using sonar technology around the last known position of the two choppers off Haleiwa. So far, they haven't seen any debris.
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Veterans Court Gives Coast Guard Veteran Second Chance

Veterans Court holds first session 
Parker Pioneer
By John Gutekunst
Jan 16, 2016

Veterans are put in contact with services available to them through the Veterans Administration and other entities. They are expected to complete rigorous treatment programs in an effort to turn their lives around and become productive citizens.

The La Paz County Veterans Court held its first session Jan. 14 in the Parker Justice Court.

The first case heard was that of (XXXXXX), a Coast Guard veteran placed on probation from a domestic violence charge. La Paz County Attorney Tony Rogers said there are other cases “in the works,” but this was the first where a plea agreement was reached and Munden was sent to Veterans Court as a condition of his probation.

At the start of the session, Judge Jim Putz-Artrup emphasized this is a “treatment” court where the goal is to make veterans who have run afoul of the law whole and productive citizens again.

At the start of the session, (XXXXXX) and his mentor, Robert “Gunny” St. Germain of Quartzite, stood at attention before Putz-Artrup. After he told them to stand “at ease,” Putz-Artrup shook Munden’s hand and thanked him for his service to the nation. He told him to continue his treatment program and to remain in touch with St. Germain.

Putz-Artrup acknowledged and thanked several persons who were involved in creating the court: La Paz County Attorney Tony Rogers, Deputy County Attorney Dan Terrell, Legal Assistant Kim Alvarez, Veterans Administration Coordinator Joan McCarthy, Mentor Trainer and Advisor Bill Risen, Arizona DES Veterans Advocate Milton Hawkins, Mike Thomas of VFW Post 7061, and Court Clerk Tiffany Dyer.
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Coast Guard Vietnam Veteran Honored for Heroism

Coast Guard Veteran Honored for Heroism in Vietnam War
ASSOCIATED PRESS
By DAVE COLLINS
NEW LONDON, Conn
Nov 9, 2015

"I didn't realize how much trauma I had buried inside," Carr said about finally opening up about his war experiences. "I was honored to be in Vietnam. It changed my life."

In this Friday, Nov. 6, 2015 photo, Coast Guard veteran William Carr, of Davenport, Iowa

Fires were raging and ammunition supplies were exploding during an enemy attack on a Navy base in Vietnam when William Carr ordered his Coast Guard patrol boat ashore to respond to the mayhem on March 10, 1968.

"This is stupid. You are going to die," Carr remembered thinking about that day he ran into the ammunition storage area amid the blazes looking for a missing Navy man, whom he would not find.

Carr was a 24-year-old lieutenant junior grade at the time, commanding the 82-foot patrol boat Point Arden and a crew of 10 other Coast Guardsmen. He led efforts to put out the fires, secure ammunition stockpiles and get medical assistance to the scene, where six to nine servicemen died and 98 others injured. He would be awarded the Bronze Star for his actions.

For 47 years, Carr, 72, never uttered a word about what happened that day — not even to his wife Judy, as he suffered what he believes was post-traumatic stress disorder. He finally started telling people about it in May, after officials at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, told him they were honoring him for his bravery and service.
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Police Officer, Coast Guard Petty Officers Shot at a Condominium Complex

2 Coast Guard Officers Shot at Condo Complex Were Married
Military.com
Associated Press
Feb 09, 2015

Officials lead Coast Guardsman Adrian Loya of Chesapeake, Va., into District Court Feb. 5, 2015, in Falmouth, Mass., where he was arraigned on charges he killed one woman, injured another and shot a police officer. AP/Cape Cod Times, Merrily Cassidy

BOURNE, Mass. -- Two Coast Guard petty officers shot at a condominium complex, one of them fatally, were married, the Coast Guard said.

Lisa Trubnikova was killed in Thursday's shooting in Bourne, an hour's drive south of Boston. Her spouse, Anna Trubnikova, was wounded and was hospitalized in stable condition.

Another Coast Guard member, Adrian Loya, has been charged in the shooting. Loya, of Chesapeake, Virginia, pleaded not guilty to charges including murder and was detained without bail.

Loya also lit a car on fire to hamper police, planted fake bombs and opened fire on police officers, authorities said.

One police officer, Jared MacDonald, was shot in the back. MacDonald's family said Friday he was doing well but faces a long recovery. The family's statement was released by Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, where he was being treated.
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Fake Navy SEAL Vietnam Veteran Arrested for Child Porn

Man arrested for child porn in San Antonio
Tyler Paper
Written by By KENNETH DEAN
23 October 2014

LINDALE — A man who has falsely claimed he was an elite Navy Seal and a veteran of the Vietnam War, and who last year clashed with police over his arrest for animal cruelty, has been arrested on much more serious charges by U.S. marshals — three felony counts of possession of child pornography.

Gaylord Stevens, also known as Steven Hawke, was arrested in San Antonio on Wednesday on the Smith County charges and was expected to be booked into the Smith County Jail late Thursday on the charges and with bonds totaling $300,000.

Stevens, 65, reported to media outlets last December that Lindale Police illegally seized his horse as he traveled across the country attempting to raise awareness for American history.

Stevens’ claims to have served as a Navy Seal in Vietnam were proven false.

A book titled “Stolen Valor” indicates Stevens actually served in the U.S. Coast Guard stateside from 1969 to 1972. He never went to Vietnam and never was a Navy Seal.

Craft said Stevens also was considered a con man who traveled the country collecting money from unsuspecting individuals and businesses for a Vietnam War museum.
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Veterans Memorial Attacked in New Lenox

Veterans Memorial Vandalized In New Lenox
CBS Chicago
Jim Williams
September 29, 2014

(CBS) – Residents of southwest suburban New Lenox cannot believe it: Vandals heavily damaged a beloved veterans memorial over the weekend.

“They pushed it over to point where it actually fell and broke,” Vietnam veteran Larry Paveza tells CBS 2’s Jim Williams.

Four monuments — honoring the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Marines — were shoved over at the memorial, despite their size and weight.

Locals wonder: Why would vandals destroy what people here have called sacred ground since its dedication 10 years ago? The memorial honors service members who once lived in the area and died in conflicts from the Civil War to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Taxpayers cover Coast Guard private-party patrols!

Taxpayers cover Coast Guard private-party patrols
The Associated Press
By John Christoffersen
Published: September 9, 2014

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — At private parties on the waters of Long Island Sound, hosts setting off elaborate fireworks displays enjoy a little-known benefit. Security is provided, at no expense, by the U.S. Coast Guard.

For some regattas, yacht club parties and even weddings, the maritime agency assigns boats and crews to enforce "safety zones," just as it does for public fireworks displays such as the Macy's Fourth of July celebration in New York City.

Unlike police agencies that provide security support for private events on land, the Coast Guard does not seek reimbursement, leaving the bill to taxpayers, according to interviews and documents. The deployment of resources varies for each event, but in the case of a two-hour event for a July wedding on the sound, the Coast Guard sent two 25-foot boats that are worth $1,500 an hour — for a total of $6,000.

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Connecticut Democrat, said in response to the findings that he was asking the Coast Guard for details on the expenditures.
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Military Times Names Servicemembers of the Year

Army Times Soldier of the Year

Sgt. Thomas Block

3rd Battalion

75th Ranger Regiment

Fort Benning, GA

Marine of the Year

Master Sgt. Orlando D. Reyes

Headquarters and Support Battalion, Marine Corps Installations East

Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Camp Lejeune, North Carolina

Sailor of the Year

CTRC Jeremy T. Crandall

USS Abraham Lincoln Newport News, VA

Airman of the Year

Master Sgt. David Keirns

725th Air Mobility Squadron Rota, Spain

Coast Guardsman of the Year

OS2 Lindsey Neumann

Coast Guard Sector North Carolina Wilmington, NC

Click links to read their stories

Florida Teen Among 5 Honored by Military

Five military teens honored for selfless service
Stars and Stripes
By Meredith Tibbetts
Published: April 12, 2014

All five recipients – representing each service branch – mug for the camera with Poison lead singer Bret Michaels, far left. From left to right, the teens and their branches are: Juanita Lindsay Collins, Coast Guard; Kenzi Hall, Army; Ryan Patrick Curtin, Navy; Gage Alan Dabin, Air Force; Michael-Logan Burke Jordan, Marine Corps.
MEREDITH TIBBETTS/STARS AND STRIPES

• Coast Guard: Juanita Lindsay Collins, 17, of Florida, with a 4.5 cumulative weighted GPA, has completed 300 hours of volunteer service and was president of her junior and senior class as well as the National Honor Society. She was also a 2013 Anne Frank Humanitarian Award winner.

Army: Kenzi Hall, 16, living in California
Marine Corps: Michael-Logan Burke Jordan, 15, of Hawaii
Navy: Ryan Patrick Curtin, 18, of Texas
Air Force: Gage Alan Dabin, 18, of Alaska

ARLINGTON, Va. — Despite being teenagers, despite moving more than any kid should be asked to, and despite facing the stress of a parent deployed, these five military children have shown what dedication and determination can accomplish.

On Thursday night, five teens, one representing each service branch, were honored as the Military Child of the Year by Operation Homefront, a nonprofit that provides financial aid and other assistance to the families of servicemembers.

These kids have different passions, but two things in common: a high GPA and a commitment to community.

Gen. Martin Dempsey, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Poison lead singer Bret Michaels — himself a military brat — spoke during the event of the sacrifices military children have to make and how each honoree not only rose to the occasion, but exemplified leadership and achievement.

This is the sixth year that Operation Homefront has presented the Military Child of the Year awards. Each honoree receives $5,000 and a trip to Washington. The teens are selected from a pool of a nearly 1,000 nominees.
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Coast Guard Crew Grants Wish for Sick Child

Coast Guard Crew Grants Wish for Sick Child
DVIDS
Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jetta Disco
Mar 25, 2014

NEW YORK - A Coast Guard Air Station Atlantic City helicopter crew helped fulfill the dream of a Queens boy with a life-threatening illness, at Juniper Valley Park in Queens, N.Y., Monday.

Eight-year-old Colin Flood, diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia, is battling his second round of the disease after fighting it off with chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant.

An avid fan of shows such as Coast Guard Alaska and the Deadliest Catch, Colin dreamed of being in a Coast Guard helicopter. Due to the serious nature of his condition, it was uncertain whether Colin would be able to experience seeing a Coast Guard helicopter up close. The New York Police Department and Fire Department of New York closed Juniper Valley Park, located near the Flood's home, so a Coast Guard helicopter crew could safely land there and Colin could visit it.
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Vietnam Veterans of America: Coast Guard wrongfully discharged hundreds

Veterans group: Coast Guard wrongly discharged members
The Associated Press
By JOHN CHRISTOFFERSEN
Published: February 27, 2014

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — The U.S. Coast Guard routinely violates its procedures and regulations intended to protect service members from erroneous discharges for personality or adjustment disorders, a veterans group and Yale Law School students alleged Thursday.

Vietnam Veterans of America released a report based on an analysis by the students who looked at a random sample of 265 discharges for the disorders over a 12-year period ending Sept. 30, 2012. Of those, the students found 255 failed to comply with Coast Guard regulations in some way.

The violations can lead to veterans being denied benefits and stigma in finding work, the report says.

"We are disappointed to see that so many members of our Coast Guard have been illegally discharged and denied their rights," said Tom Berger, executive director of VVA's Veterans Health Council. "We are hopeful that this report will spark action to correct this injustice."

Jordan St. John, deputy chief of public affairs for the Coast Guard, said the Coast Guard hadn't seen the report and couldn't comment.
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Congress restores tuition assistance to all but Coast Guard?

Congress saves TA for all but Coast Guard
Army Times
By Rick Maze
Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Mar 21, 2013 11:25:40 EDT

Congress has voted to restore the military’s tuition assistance program but has left the Coast Guard behind.


The 2013 government funding bill passed Thursday by the House and now on its way to the White House ordered the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps to keep paying tuition assistance through the end of the fiscal year on Sept. 30.

The Army, Air Force and Marine Corps had all announced that they suspended their programs in a move that would save between $250 million and $300 million this year. The Navy had not suspended its program.

Congress does not give the services extra money to pay for benefits, requiring them to restart their programs by making other cuts.
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Coast Guard Suspends Tuition Assistance

Coast Guard Suspends Tuition Assistance
Mar 11, 2013
Military.com
by Richard Sisk

The Coast Guard has joined the Army and the Marine Corps in suspending new enrollments for the popular tuition assistance programs to meet the cost-cutting demands of the sequestration process, Coast Guard officials said Monday.

The order to suspend new enrollments was circulated internally over the weekend in the Coast Guard and has yet to be announced formally, but the Coast Guard has now ceased accepting applications for tuition assistance, said Lt. Paul Rhynard, a Coast Guard spokesman.

The Coast Guard, part of the Homeland Security Department, has 42,000 active duty personnel and 8,200 reservists, but Coast Guard officials could not immediately provide information on how many personnel currently take advantage of the continuing education assistance or the annual costs.
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Air Force joins Army, Marines in cutting tuition assistance
The Air Force has been providing $250 per semester credit hour and up to $4,500 a year to airmen pursuing associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

Navy Identifies SEAL Lost at Sea During Training

Navy Identifies SEAL Lost at Sea During Training
Feb 27, 2013
Honolulu Advertiser
by William Cole

The Navy identified the SEAL commando who was lost at sea last week during training off Kaena Point as Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Matthew John Leathers of Woodland, Calif.

The Coast Guard said it suspended its search for Leathers Sunday after "exhaustive efforts" to locate the 33-year-old, who went missing during an open-ocean training exercise last Tuesday.

Coast Guard, Navy and Marine Corps crews worked with Honolulu Fire Department and Ocean Safety to search an area covering more than 24,000 square miles using aircraft, cutters, small boats and shore personnel.

"In this case, I have the heartbreak of informing not only the family, but a close-knit military community, that a loved one could not be found," Capt. Joanna Nunan, commanding officer of Coast Guard Sector Honolulu, said Sunday in a news release.
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Orlando Santa Fill The Boat Wrap Up

Yesterday I went to Homeless Services Network n Edgewater Drive in Orlando to see all the toys collected last week at the Fill The Boat drive at WalMart in Orlando. Amazing to see how generous people can be.
This is the interview I did with Sean Gibbs, Veteran Services Coordinator.


This one is from last week in case you missed it.


If you like watching videos on local veterans events please donate so I can keep covering what these groups are doing.

Point Man of Winter Park is a 501c3

Coast Guard Santa fills the boat for children of homeless veterans

If you went to the WalMart on Colonial Drive in Orlando yesterday, you may have seen a very strange thing. A huge boat parked in front of the building in between the entrances.

Tom Hoisington of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Sean Gibbs, the Veterans Services Coordinator, of Homeless Services Network members of The Bunker Corporal Larry Eugene Smedley, National Vietnam War Museum, Orange County Sheriff officers and WalMart teamed up to fill the boat with toys for children of homeless veterans.

I arrived around 2:00 and there were already a lot of toys. By the time I left at 4:00 the boat was just about full. The customers kept coming out with new toys and most of them were young adults.

The fact that Tom and Sean are Iraq veterans and Sean sits in a wheelchair, made it all the more sweeter!

Time to "Fill the Boat" in Orlando for homeless veterans kids

I was at the defense contractors conference on Wednesday and met one of the people behind this effort. Wonderful group of people doing this for such a great cause. When we read about homeless veterans, we all too often forget about their kids. If you live in the Orlando area, stop by one of these locations. I will be at the WalMart about 2:00 with my camera.

News Release

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary to “Fill the Boat” for children of homeless Vet's.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 17-11 (Orlando, FL) will be attempting to “FILL THE BOAT(S)” in support of children of homeless Veterans (in Osceola, Orange, and Seminole counties) between the hours of 10am and 4pm on December 8, 2012 in front of BIG LOTS and KMART located at 2311 West Vine Street. Kissimmee, FL, and WAL-MART located at 11250 East Colonial Dr. Orlando,FL

The goal for 2012 is to provide gifts to children (ages newborn to 17) who otherwise wouldn't be able to celebrate Christmas. With your help, and generosity of the community, we are confident that this goal can be met.

BOGGY CREEK AIRBOAT RIDES will be providing the boat(s) to filled at the Kissimmee location

"THE BUNKER" Cpl Larry E. Smedley Museum, will provide a Vietnam war era US Navy PBR (Patrol Boat River like that one that was in the movie Apocalypse now) Along with a Deuce and a half truck, a willies Jeep. At the Wal-Mart location.

We are pleased to have the Kissimmee Police and Fire departments as well as the Orange County Sheriffs Office Marine unit along with members of the United States armed forces, and the Civil Air Patrol (U.S.A.F. Auxiliary) joining us this year. So, donate a toy and meet your hometown hero's.

Any news coverage or announcement would be greatly appreciated for this worthy event.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (30,000 members) is the uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard created by an Act of Congress in 1939.

Coast Guardsman killed after boat slammed

Coast Guardsman Fired Gun to Avoid Fatal Crash
Military.com
Dec 05, 2012
Associated Press
by Elliot Spagat

SAN DIEGO -- A Coast Guardsman fired several gunshots from an inflatable boat before it was slammed by another vessel in a crash that caused the first American law enforcement fatality since the smuggling of drugs and immigrants by boat began spiking along the California coast several years ago.

A criminal complaint filed Monday against two Mexican nationals aboard the suspect vessel disclosed the gunshots and other measures taken by the crew to avoid getting hit early Sunday near the Channel Islands, about 180 miles (290 kilometers) northwest of the U.S.-Mexico border.

Chief Petty Officer Terrell Horne III, 34, died from head trauma after being struck by a propeller. The complaint doesn't say which boat hit him.
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Deputies had no warning man had history of mental health crisis

Baldwin sheriff: Deputies had no warning before man with mental health history started shooting AL.com
By Brendan Kirby
November 24, 2012

Baldwin County Deputy Scott Ward, left, died on Friday, Nov. 23, 2012, during a violent confrontation with Michael J. Jansen, right, according to law enforcement officials

MARLOW, Alabama – Deputy Scott Ward and two other law enforcement officials had no warning before a man with a history of mental health problems started firing shots from a 9mm handgun, Baldwin County Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack said today.

The Friday evening shooting in this community east of Fairhope resulted in the deaths of both Ward and Michael J. Jansen, and left a second deputy critically wounded.

“A number of gunshots were fired by Mr. Jansen and the deputies. Both deputies were shot numerous times. I don’t have the number of gunshots,” Mack said. “We’re still working the scene even today.”

Mack said autopsies had been performed on both Ward and Jansen, but he added that he has not seen the report.

Ward, 47, was a 15-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office and previously served as a Prichard police officer. He also was a Coast Guard Reserve officer who had served in Afghanistan.

Citing an ongoing internal affairs investigation, Mack would not release the names of the other deputies involved. He said the wounded deputy is a sergeant who was the shift supervisor. The sheriff said that the third deputy, who was not hurt, has been with the Sheriff’s Office for about a year.
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Baldwin County Deputy Killed Served In Afghanistan