Cape May – Each Coast Guard “Graduation Friday,” 42 per year, community members along with the Cape May County Coast Guard Community Foundation, gather to cheer, wave flags and signs, and even ring the occasional bell, for the newest Coast Guard graduates.
They gather in wind, rain, snow, sleet, and heat to recognize this courageous accomplishment. On Friday, August 11, community members gathered for the recent graduates and Coast Guard families who stopped by the corner of Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh to collect fully stocked backpacks as part of the Foundation’s Backpack Brigade Program.
The Foundation created this program in 2022 and was thrilled about its return this year. The goal of the Backpack Brigade Program is to help Active-Duty Coast Guard families get a jump start on the next school year for their school-age children. The Foundation’s intention is to assist Active-Duty Coast Guard Families with this costly task.
With the support of Operation Homefront – who donated 60 backpacks – and the N. Wildwood VFW Post 5941 – who assisted with gathering and stuffing the backpacks full of supplies – this busy corner in Cape May was a bevy of activity.
Thanks to N. Wildwood VFW Post 5941, who donated the funds for a welcome surprise by Big Top’s Surfin’ Sundaes, the families and community members were also treated to a menu of ice cream delights on this hot summer day.
The mission of the Cape May County Coast Guard Community Foundation is to nurture the relationship between the Coast Guard and the community, this special day was the perfect display of community spirit and support for our Coast Guard Community.
Stop by and join this friendly group on a Graduation Friday between 12 and 1 p.m. at the corner of Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh to feel the love they all share for the Coast Guard and their hometown of Cape May County!
To learn more about the Cape May County Coast Guard Community Foundation visit coastguardcommunity.org. To view the U.S. Guard Training Center Cape May’s Graduation schedule visit the graduation page at uscg.mil. Show your Support!
