Disqus - Latest Comments for elaina

Re: A story from the CGG Taney from AUX Curt Aiken

elaina — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:34:17 -0000

Thank you to Curt for sharing his story and thank you to Ana for posting it here for us to read.

Re: The highest award for OSC Josue Mendez sparkles

elaina — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 13:31:08 -0000

That really is the highest honor any Coast Guard member could receive; the honor and award of serving and loving that one person, for the rest of your life. That is an absolutely wonderful and extremely touching story. I choked up a bit, and I don't even know OSC Mendez or the soon-to-be Mrs. Mendez. I just remember when Dave proposed to me. We were surrounded by friends and I had no idea that he had planned anything, until he got down on his knee. This is a great story and a memory I know they will both cherish.

Re: Veteran’s Day thoughts

elaina — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:26:37 -0000

I have had people stop me on the street, normally when I am in uniform or when I am wearing something that indicates that I am in the Coast Guard, and they have thanked me for my service...and I get flustered and speechless. I end up thanking them for thanking me. It's all I can think to do. Especially those wonderful people of "The Greatest Generation". They are true heroes and here they are, thanking the likes of me. Really?! I'm no hero. Not yet. Not me. I have done my duty and done my job and I do not feel that makes me a hero.

My grandfather and his two brothers served in the Army during WWII. His two older brothers didn't come home, alive. They were heroes. My father was a Marine Corp 2nd LT who was medically discharged before deployment to Vietnam. He had friends who went "over there" and didn't have the opportunity to come home and hug their moms or girlfriends or hang out with the guys...because they laid down their lives on foreign soil. The ones who did make it back did not return to the heroes welcome of years gone by. They faced a country that showed little to no appreciation for what they did, what they sacrificed, what they lost. They are heroes. My Uncle Bill served as a submariner in the Navy and came home from war, was discharged and lived a quiet life in New Jersey, working in a factory and making a life with the woman he loved. He's one of my heroes.
My Uncle Gair served as a Machinist Mate in the Navy. He never talked much about his service on a LST ("Long Slow Target", as he called them) in the Pacific. He spent his time as a quiet, humble man who loved his family greatly and always put their needs above his own. He was one of my heroes.

So, this Veteran's Day, I remember them; my heroes. And I thank them. And I can only hope that I can make them proud of the little girl with the big ideals.

Re: Happy Birthday U.S. Marine Corps

elaina — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:13:00 -0000

Semper Fidelis and Happy Birthday to all of our Marines.

Re: Former Sector Anchorage CO charged with 31 violations of UCMJ

elaina — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:09:09 -0000

To say that I am surprised by the charges is an understatement. If CAPT Hamilton is guilty of these charges, even though I do not know him, I know that I will be severely disappointed. If people who knew him as a juinior officer saw a pattern of behavior and never reported his actions or stopped him...I just don't understand how anyone could look the other way or not take it seriously. When we take the oath, as officers in any service, we are expected to hold ourselves to the highest standards of honor, integrity and ethical virtue. We should expect it of each other and of ourselves. This case really just blows me away.

Re: Nows the time to go get new ink!

elaina — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 13:58:11 -0000

I'm glad to see that they've "modernized" the tattoo policy. While I am planning at least my next two tats, I am still not planning on getting any that would be visible if I were wearing a short-sleeve shirt, though I had thought of getting one on the back of my neck. I had not thought of permanent eyeliner, either. I don't like having eye drops put in my eyes and used to have to be held down for them, so I'm thinking I'll forego the permanent eyeliner.

Re: The weekend is here… Simulate Shipboard Life at Home

elaina — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:23:14 -0000

What's wrong with using 18 scoops of coffee grounds for each 6 cups of coffee? The stronger the better, right?
I have seen this list floating around for a few years, now, and I never tire of it. It works for CG, Navy and Merchant Mariners. I have a few friends who are officers int eh NOAA Corp (yes, they have commissioned officers who follow the Navy/USCG rank structure) who also enjoy it.

Re: VADM Pekoske to become Vice Commandant on Friday

elaina — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 18:36:08 -0000

VADM Crea was/is the Guardian of the Week on Coast Guard Compass (Official Coast Guard blog). Here is a brief exerpt about VADM Crea:

"She has not only made a profound impact on the service but has also led a distinguished career like no other female Guardian in the history of the Coast Guard.

Here are just a few of her ground-breaking achievements…

She was the first woman from any service to serve as the Presidential Military Aide. She carried the “football” for President Ronald Reagan for three years.
She was the first female commanding officer of an air station. She commanded both Air Station Clearwater and Detroit.
She was the first woman promoted to flag rank in the Coast Guard
She was the first female vice-commandant of the Coast Guard"

Admiral Thad Allen, made some remarks about VADM Crea’s service and esprit de corps.

“She made history that was very little noticed… she became the First Female Vice Service Chief in the history of the United States and in the entire world,” he said. After noting some of her accomplishments, he went on to highlight the lighter side of her personality. As a Coast Guard Aviator, VADM Crea takes her role very seriously but with a light heart and humorous manner. The Commandant joked about her diamond studded C-130 earrings and the fact she is the Ancient Albatross for the Coast Guard (the longest serving, active-duty Coast Guard aviator). He then revealed her official portrait, but it wasn’t the typical illustration of an officer in her finest uniform. Rather it was a photograph of her in the Ancient Albatross attire etched onto metal.

The Commandant fittingly chose a quote from Amelia Earhart to summarize VADM Crea’s Coast Guard career. “The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward.”

Re: Grand Haven, MI and their Coast Guard love

elaina — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 18:20:33 -0000

That's one the things I want to do before I die - experience Coast Guard day in Grand Haven. I hear they make it a pretty good party.

Re: “The Coast Guard Lady’s” Birthday Wish

elaina — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 18:18:17 -0000

I remember reading about Mrs. Bouton in the CG Magazine and the CG Reserve Magazine. I've always been impressed with her and her devotion to our service and its people. I will be sending her a card.

Re: The morale machine’s empty?

elaina — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:54:02 -0000

That's right up there with the Fun Factor Machine and the Give a (four-letter expletive) Meter. See, when the Morale Machine is empty or broken, it affects these two other gizmos. And not in the good way.

Re: CGBlog Find: Coffee

elaina — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:22:55 -0000

I am also a coffee lover and I prefer the darker roasts. This sounds like a great blend and a great tribute to our nation's Guardians. My thanks to Muddy Waters. I'll have to give them a call and see if they ship nationwide...seeing that I'll be on the West Coast in a mere 8 weeks, it'll be nice to have an alternative to Starbucks.

Re: Open Discussion/Debate for the week of 19 July 2009

elaina — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 01:20:26 -0000

Seems that the "overreaction" at the CGA was not so much an overreaction as it was a reaction. There are now 37 confirmed cases of H1N1 at the CGA, among both cadets and staff. Just goes to show, we all need to be putting into practice everything we learned about not getting sick; i.e. social distancing, staying home if you feel ill, WASH YOUR HANDS, etc.

Have a healthy day.

Re: Will it be illegal to assault a service member?

elaina — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 01:15:56 -0000

Just to play devil's advocate a bit here: This would imply that while it is generally wrong (and punishable by existing law) to assault any person, it is worse to assault a U.S. serviceman/woman. This would basically be the government telling Average Joe that my general health, safety and well-being is more important than his/hers. It's kind of like saying that while murder is wrong and illegal and the perpetrator should be punished to the fullest extent of the law, murdering (insert "special interest" group here; i.e. celebrities, servicmen/women, firefighters, police officers, etc) is worse... Is my life somehow more important and more valuable than the average citizen's?

I'm not saying that serving your country doesn't make you important or that it shouldn't make you stand out. Be proud of it; I am. I am simply asking if my life and safety are more important because I wear a uniform and I signed a contract. Should assault on a service member be it's own crime with it's very own law, or should it have a subset to an existing law, like hate crimes? Isn't it more of hate criome than anything else if a person is targeted because they are a servicemember, much the same as when a person is targeted because of their race, ethnicity, gender, or dare I say it...sexual preference?

I know this stirs the pot, a bit...I just like to make people think...really think about things.

Re: First lady Michelle Obama to sponsor the CGC STRATTON

elaina — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 01:04:47 -0000

That's pretty darn fantastic. Kudos to Mrs. Obama; I think it's an incredible honor that she has decided to become involved not just in the life of this cutter, but also int he Coast Guard community, as a whole. Welcome Aboard, Mrs. Obama!