While on a visit to Mystic Seaport to instruct two Academy cadets on the finer points of marine inspection, CWO Brent Nasworthy suddenly found himself surrounded by legions of adoring fans.

"Look! It's the Coast Guard!" was the cry from several students visiting the Seaport on a field trip. After a quick hello one intrepid student said "can I have your autograph?" Despite being taken aback by the unusual request, Brent played along admonishing the young man to "stay safe on the water" and signing with a flourish. Suddenly a sea of small hands were thrust out to get their very own Coast Guard autograph.

After a few minutes of signing, chatting, laughing and answering students' questions about the Coast Guard it was time to move along. That chance encounter certainly brightened Brent's day and we hope it did the same for those young people.

Chapter President CWO J.T. Green (third from left) meets with members of American Legion Post 88 in Hamden to welcome National Commander Fang Wong (third from right). Commander Wong has addressed Congress on issues such as veterans employment, VA health benefits and the GI Bill. The Chapter is grateful for the opportunity to have met with Commander Wong and strengthen the ties between not only ourselves and Post 88 locally but by extension, the ties between the Assocation and the Legion at the national level as well.

Members of the U.S. Coast Guard from the Coast Guard Academy and the Long Island Sound area participate in the Coast Guard Run to Remember at the academy May 18, 2012. Since 1992, 48 members of the U.S. Coast Guard have been killed in the line of duty. This run is a way to remember those men and women who have given their lives in service to this nation. 


CWO Kimberly R. Smith, USCG Academy Public Affairs

An Honored Volunteer
     As Coast Guardsmen we are constantly volunteering for many things. Sometimes it can be something as simple as helping each other move, and sometimes it’s something more involved like Partnership in Education work, high school mentorship, or visiting the local veteran’s home. It seems to be in our Coast Guard DNA to want to help others. But every once and a while someone takes volunteering to another level and goes above and beyond what is the average call. That person does not just volunteer for a day here or a day there, but is committed to a cause; a cause that truly effects not only the lives of the people being helped, but of the other volunteers that help along the way.

     BOSN4 Troy Riedel of the Coast Guard’s Leadership and Development Center in New London Conn. is just one of those people.

     "Coast Guardsmen have a commonality – we all desire to be part of something bigger than ourselves.  There are few greater honors than serving and helping those less fortunate," said Riedel.

     For three of the four years that he has been assigned to the LDC, Riedel has maintained a close rapport with the manager and staff of the Women’s Center of Southeastern Connecticut, an organization with a big job and a limited budget that takes in homeless and battered women and their children and provides them a place to shelter or a safe haven.

     Over the three year period Riedel not only volunteered his personal time but he also led a number of teams of Chief Warrant Officer Professional Development students – over 100 students in all – in making major renovations to the Women’s Center’s two residential homes.

    Through his efforts students amassed over 900 volunteer hours, saving the Center more than $10,000 in labor and contracting costs; projects that would have otherwise been abandoned because of a lack of funds.

     From painting, demolition and reconstruction, replacing wood and tile flooring, repair of damaged interior spaces, and installing shelving units in the kitchen and living areas, Riedel made sure that repairs were made professionally so the shelter’s inhabitants had a comfortable place to live. He also personally ensured that winterizing of the shelters was done annually by removing air-conditioner units, insulating pipes from the freezing temperatures, and a number of other contributions to the Center.

     Through his efforts and leadership, more than 150 homeless women and children had a safe environment to live in and more than 5,900 domestic violence victims seeking assistance had a place to call.

     His outreach efforts positively affected the community and the Coast Guard Officer Corps. Because of this, Riedel was awarded the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal on May 9. He was recognized not only for the work that he spearheaded but for the all the positive changes that he made.

     “By diligently conducting these outreach events, you faithfully assisted the Women’s Center to meet their goals of providing clients with a safe and comfortable place of recovery,” reads the citation. “You have epitomized the definition of servant-leadership by demonstrating commitment to making positive changes in our local community and your actions reflect the proud character of our service ethos.”

     After being awarded the medal in front of one of his Chief Warrant Officer Classes, Riedel commented that “this award would not have been possible without a collection of very talented Chief Warrant Officer Professional Development students. I challenge every Coast Guardsmen – especially my fellow Chief Warrant Officers – to donate their time and expertise to a worthy organization in their area."

Read the full text of Troy's citation HERE.

While leaving work yesterday afternoon chapter member Jim Guerette came across a damsel in distress. A local elderly resident blew out her tire as she was making a turn just outside the main gate. Ever ready to respond, CWO Guerette immediately pulled over and changed her tire. With speed that would make a NASCAR pit crew blush he had her back on the road in no time. BRAVO ZULU for a job well done Jim!