GUARDIAN

My dad is a member of the Provo Lodge 849 B.P.O. Elks. To celebrate Memorial day I thought I would share an article in the ELKS latest news letter. It reads something like this-

Steve joined the Coast Guard at Fort Douglas in 1960, during the beginning of the conflict in Vietnam. He did his boot camp in Alameda, CA. at Government Island. He was stationed at Monterey Lifeboat Station, which is part of the Army Presidio Training Facility underneath the Golden Gate Bridge.

He was also stationed at Point Reyes Lighthouse which is one of the foggiest places on the earth. He trained at Treasure Island which is under the Oakland Bridge. Steve was a mechanic and fireman and enjoyed doing tug-boat duty as well. Steve's jobs were helping mariners and fisherman who encountered problems, as long as it was within the 3 mile limit. Sadly, Steve had to rescue the occasional jumper off the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Coast Guard jurisdiction goes out 3 miles then it becomes international water and the Navy takes over. During times of war the Coast Guard is under the Navy and during times of peace it is under the Treasury Dept. Steve received an honorable discharge in 1964 as an E4 or Petty Officer 3rd Class.

I learned a lot from this article. My dad is a great swimmer and I can't fathom the hardships he encountered during his time with the Guard- it is admirable. The picture above is of my dad and his baby sister, it is the most recent one I have. If anyone is interested in seeing a good movie about the Coast Guard rent The Guardian.