35 Years have passed since Recruit Training Class Mike 72 formed at Cape May, New Jersey, in July of 1968. When Coast Guard Day came on August 4th all of us were excited just to have a day off from high porting around the grinder and doing endless push ups, much less to have the chance at celebrating the anniversary of what was now "our" Coast Guard.

Last Thursday, in a fit of nostalgia, I ventured over to Coast Guard City USA, Grand Haven, MI, and walked about the 2003 Coast Guard Festival. I found many surprises while searching for lost shipmates, most of them fell into a general category of opposites. The first task was to visit an old friend from my time at Station St Ignace, the Cutter Mackinaw. The old girl is now 59 years into her career and slated for replacement in 2006. A close look reveals the careworn clues of age, but equipment upgrades, like the rigid hull inflatable (RIB) on the boat deck and modern electronics on the bridge, enable the old frames to keep pushing the ice like a youngster. New cutters like the Biscayne Bay have all of the newest toys, but it is the Mackinaw that holds the heart of most Great Lakes residents.

All around the old red breaker I see young faces, including PA3 Cindy Marshall who was taking photos of the visitors from every angle possible. We old salts of Mike 72 would have called her a SPAR, but that term has gone by the wayside along with Khaki Baggers, Brown Shoes, Flat Hats, and alas - Radioman. These kids are creating their own lingo that is far removed from ours.

I depart the brow of the Mackinaw and see one of our newest Ensigns, Molly Killen (USCGA Class 2003), getting ready to enjoy a day of liberty. A conversation with her impresses me with the obvious dedication and enthusiasm only youth can offer when starting a new adventure. She says the Mackinaw "jumped out and grabbed me" from the wish list, and she could not imagine a better place to be starting a 30 year career.

Along the quayside lie the new buildings of Station Grand Haven and Group Office Grand Haven. I recalled the old station buildings were on the opposite side of the channel and wander toward the big lake to see how well they fare. The boat house has seen better days, but the station quarters are obviously enjoying a renewed life as a private residence. When I left service in 1975 the Group Office was at Muskegon and our digs in the back side of the old Quonset hut of the Naval Reserve Center were nothing compared to the new offices here at Grand Haven. Time has passed and the changes, though not unexpected, are unsettling.

As evening grew near I managed to find my way to the CG Retirees dinner area and pleaded my case for entry. As I was politely being told that this was a "Retirees" only event, a generous old salt from the mid-'60s suggested that I be allowed in as a guest for the price of the chicken dinner. Hooray, I get to rub shoulders with some memories! Wandering about the crowd was wonderful, trading stories with a community of strangers that all managed to find more than their service years in common. All of us has served with someone elses friend and shipmate at one time or another.

The days' running scenario of opposites continued into the evening. Everybody was intrigued by the decorated uniform attire of Captain Richard McCullough, (PRO Marinette, WI) who was walking around with a Victorian Era peaked officers cap made of beaver skin and gold, and huge epaulets tacked to his shoulders. The good Captain is a native of the red hills of Rome, Georgia. He joined our Coast Guard in 1966 and served 11 years enlisted duty before going "Mustang" and rising to his current status as "Ancient Mariner (Gold)" of the service in June. He wants to serve another three years before retiring to the Pensacola, Florida, area.

As the evening program began we all enjoyed seeing the opposite end of the Ancient Mariners story. CWO Jeff Bradbury, of Group Grand Haven, took the podium and spoke of his pride. He explained he was a second generation Coastie, the son of a Master Chief, and that it was his distinct honor to welcome a new recruit to the Coast Guard; his son Jason, who will report for Recruit Training on October 28th. The proud parents hugged their son in a heartwarming gesture of continuity and dedication to a life we all knew.

I leave the dinner area thinking of my shipmates in Mike 72 Company - a lifetime ago, in the midst of an ugly war, we joined the line and did our part. The fate of our "Old Guard" is passing into the capable hands of our children and grandchildren - who are facing their own ugly conflicts. Honor and remember their service, as we do our own, by keeping this undying phrase in our hearts - "SEMPER PARATUS!"

Remember, "Ride today - Tommorow you may not be able!"

-LW