Guardians of 2010: May

Written by: Christopher Lagan

Each week Coast Guard Compass honors members of the Coast Guard family as “Guardian of the Week” for their leadership, devotion to duty, and contributions to our service. As we close out 2010, we’re looking back over the year to celebrate the contributions of the Guardians of 2010. Today, we revisit those recognized in May 2010.

BM1 Tim Burns – May 7, 2010

What does it take to be the best boat driver in the Coast Guard? For starters, how about leading your boat crew through a storm on four successful search and rescue cases in one night?!?

“That day was crazy,” said Burns. “It was the day before the station’s change of command and we had spent all day putting up a large tent and then taking it down when the weather started blowing in. “The weather was getting worse. I was already tired and I told one of the other guys I had a feeling something was going to happen that night.” He should’ve knocked on wood.

AUX James McReynolds – May 14, 2010

In many boating communities, a Coast Guard Auxiliarist might be the only contact you ever have with the service. Along a heavy traffic waterway like the Mississippi River an Auxiliary Flotilla pays major dividends in the areas of boating safety and mission readiness. When Auxiliarist McReynolds learned that his flotilla was getting ready to shut down due to a lack of participation, he sprung into action.

“I talked to everybody who would listen about joining,” said McReynolds. ”We’ve recruited some outstanding individuals.” With 37 members now, the flotilla is the most active in the region.

CDR Daniel Travers – May 21, 2010

Commanding officers are responsible for both the operational readiness of their units and the professional and moral development of those under their command. For the CO of Air Station Detroit, that means encouraging his people to be a positive part of the communities where they serve.

“I have highly encouraged those under my command and past duty stations to get heavily involved as a volunteer in their communities. I had two officers who took the initiative to coordinate with the local Habitat for Humanity office to build a home using an all volunteer Air Station Detroit workforce. The 3,000+ hours of volunteer time that we put into the project was well worth it. It was an incredible experience for all of us to complete this project and to realize that we did something that aided a family to get off the street and into their own home. It is definitely one of the highlights of my tour at Air Station Detroit.”

Admiral Thad Allen – May 25, 2010

As the month of May drew to a close, the Coast Guard welcomed Admiral Bob Papp as the 24th Commandant of the Coast Guard and bid fair winds and following seas to Admiral Thad Allen, the 23rd Commandant. Compass took that opportunity to look back at the career of one of the most influential leaders in the history of our service.

“I have spent my entire life in the United States Coast Guard. I was born while my enlisted father, a Seaman on the deck force, was underway on a Coast Guard cutter. In 1967, I traded my dependent’s ID card for an active duty card when I entered the United States Coast Guard Academy. I have seen life from the junior enlisted ranks as a dependent, and I have been lucky enough to advance through the organization as an active duty officer.” – Vice Admiral Thad Allen during his 2006 confirmation hearing to become the 23rd Commandant of the Coast Guard

Congratulations to all of the Guardians of 2010! Come back tomorrow as we pay tribute to the Guardians of the Week for June 2010.