Life Lines March 2021

February Question Found Under the Opening Photo Answered

There were 6 responses to the question identifying the Westport Maritime Museum.  A seventh respondent was the director of the museum who contacted me to inquire about the USLSSHA interest.  I believe we gained a few new members from the February question who expressed interest and read our newsletter regularly.  I hope they did and if so welcome to our group.   
 
Director Shaw shared the following with me, “We have the Maritime Museum and also own the Grays Harbor Lighthouse….
We have worked with the City to attain official Coast Guard City USA status. First and only in Washington State.  We are working all the time on preserving these historic assets.
 
I have been working on upgrading our web and social media presence and outreach. By the way, we have qualified the old Station in this year’s Capital Heritage Budget and also the City budget for some exterior refurbishing as well as new red roof to keep with the original livery.”  Very good news to hear a station is being preserved by its community.
 
Annual Meeting Committee we may want to put this station on our list after North Carolina, New Jersey, and Maine.  It would be nice to return to the west coast again.
 
Read further in the newsletter another story came out of the February mystery question thanks to one of those that responded, regularly reads Life Lines and was not previously a member.

Committee Request and an Opportunity for Involvement by Members of USLSSHA:

The USLSSHA recently formed a new committee to address education resources for and within our association. Among the objectives include creating web-based video content, exploring options for a digital archives, and developing teacher packets for use in K-12 education.

Specific Needs:

• Technical experience as producer of webinars using platforms such as google classroom, YouTube, FB live, Zoom
• Experience designing educational programming at varying K-12 levels
• Content developer for serial and standalone video content
• Experience creating a digital archive for public use

We have some gaps in our expertise and hope to involve volunteers from our general membership to join the committee. If you have any of the specialty skills and would like to use them to help the USLSS Heritage Association achieve its education goals, please complete the signup at the following link: https://forms.gle/72HtcesZW8eM7YH16

 Publications Now Available as Print-on-Demand

The two books that the USLSSHA produced are now available by print-on-demand at lulu.com. Search for either “They Had to Go Out” or “Rescue: The Stories of the U.S. Life-Saving Service” edited by John Galluzzo. If you have not added these two books to your library here is your chance to do so.

Chronology of Coast Guard History

If you were looking for a link to a chronology of Coast Guard History here is that link. https://www.history.uscg.mil/research/chronology/

Wallops Beach Station Again Looking for a New Home

This call will stay in Life Lines each month until we determine that the structures have been saved or time has run out and they have been demolished. If you can help please do so now.

The Wallops Beach Station in Virginia needs someone willing to take and move the structures from the NASA Wallops Flight Facility. Both the station and the tower could be yours. NASA will demolish the structure in 2021 to reduce their mandated allotted square footage, but there is still time. If someone is interested in moving these structures please contact:

Steve Taylor
Realty Specialist
NASA Wallops Flight Facility
Bldg N-161, Rm 135
Work: 757-824-1194
Cell: 503-317-0073

Motor Life Boat 44385 Arrives Westport Museum December 2020

February’s Mystery Question under the opening photo brought another story to my attention.  John Bushoven correctly identified the Westport Museum, but said it was an easy task. “Full disclosure, that was an easy answer as my old boat was just brought up there as a permanent display…thanks to John Shaw (their executive director) and Bob Meneghini. I had the opportunity to coxswain 44385 and 44347 at Sta Golden Gate for several years just before the 47’s arrived.”
 
And he attached additional photos:

And this photo with the boat at the Westport Museum December 2020:

Remembering the Events of February 12, 1997 USCG Quillayute River, WA

John Bushoven also wanted to reminded the USLSSHA of the event on February 12, 1997;  In the early hours of 12 February 1997 a 44′ motor lifeboat from U.S. Coast Guard Station Quillayute River, Washington responded to a mayday call from the sailing vessel GALE RUNNER. In the rescue attempt, three of the lifeboat’s four crew members were killed: BM2 David Bosley, MK3 Matthew Schlimme, and SN Clinton Miniken. The crew of the GALE RUNNER was hoisted to safety by a Coast Guard helicopter, and the motor lifeboat, CG 44363, was a complete loss.
 
If you would like to visit a virtual remembrance of this event please go to the following link:  https://uscg44363.com/

The Coast Guard Just Officially Turned 106, but it’s Actually Way Older

The Coast Guard isn’t the most highly respected branches of the Armed Forces, to put it lightly. For all the flak it gets from other branches, the Coast Guard has solidly established its value to the US. In fact, it has one of the lengthiest histories of all.  If you would like to read more please go to the following link:  https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/the-coast-guard-just-officially-turned-106-but-its-actually-way-older/

North Carolina is the Next Virtual 2021 Annual Conference

The Committee from 3 local sites have begun planning the 2021 Virtual/Hybrid annual meeting.  Taped interviews with local station owners are being conducted that will be showcased as part of the virtual portion.  A live Question and Answer segment is also being planned for attendees to participate and learn more.
 
This year the North Carolina Maritime Museum, Historic Wilmington Foundation, and the Old Baldy Foundation will be our Virtual/Hybrid hosts.
 
Virtual activities will include speakers, site visits, interviews, a Virtual History Happy Hour, an online auction and more as we creatively think of it.
 
Mark your calendars for the 2021 Conference, Southport, North Carolina on September 23-25, 2021.  We are in touch with the North Carolina conference planners and are monitoring the COVID-19 status in their State so those who feel safe making the trip will be able to.  Watch this site and Wreck and Rescue for more information.

If you have a story to submit for the next Life Lines please contact us through our website. http://uslife-savingservice.org/contact/