100 Years of Coast Guard History

To the Editor: 
When I look back on the year 2015, it started with the United States Coast Guard designating Cape May County as a National Coast Guard Community. During that weekend of celebration, my son, Shawn Becker, who did his basic training here in 1992, commented on how many things have changed; new buildings, a much larger facility and definitely much more modern equipment and vessels. But the men and women who serve us at the U. S. Coast Guard are the one constant in this equation.
My family’s history with the United States Coast Guard goes back 100 years. My grandfather, George Calvin Headley served at the original U. S. Life-Saving Station #133 in North Wildwood from 1910 when he was a very young man.  Those were the men who put their lives on the line to save shipwrecked sailors in and around the treacherous waters of Anglesea Bay. When the modern Coast Guard was formed by a merger of the Revenue Cutter Service and the U.S. Life-Saving Service on Jan. 28, 1915 my grandfather was one of the first to serve under this new United States Coast Guard, signing up to serve his country in February of 1915. He served in the Coast Guard until 1922 when he was given a medical discharge. Our family has been proud of his service and he was one of the reasons my son joined the Coast Guard over any other branch of the armed forces.
We were privileged and honored to host two Coast Guard recruits this Christmas for Operation Fireside. The time we spent with these two young men was so inspiring. Jonah Garcia and Nick Klink were charming, respectful and so eager to help. Joining us were, among others, my husband’s uncle, Robert Shore, who served as a Marine in World War II, and my husband, Michael Horst, who was a 1st Lt. in Vietnam. The “war” stories and boot camp experiences bantered around the dinner table were entertaining, to say the least.  Seeing these two young men, and realizing that they are willing to lay down their lives to serve their country was so moving.  These young men and women of our United States Coast Guard come from all points of the country and all walks of life. But their enthusiasm for what they are doing is so profound, and we are truly grateful for their service.
As our two “boys” got ready to take their leave, after effusive thanks and an invitation to attend their graduation ceremony, my only parting advice to our guest recruits was to make their “grandchildren” proud.