"Auxiliary Members Area"
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You ask me why I love her, Give me time and I'll explain. America is my country, I share her joy and pain. I cross her streets and rivers, I walk her woods of green, Much more than artists beauty, And Norman Rockwell scenes. This land is our America, A place of untamed dreams. A land where freedom shines, her torch held high with pride. A land where all may prosper, as chance is not denied. A land where freedom rings, with voice both loud and clear, A land we've fought to liberate, when evil threatens near. You asked me why I love her, some reasons I've explained, To touch freedoms soul, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Can Freedom Ring If No Voice Sings? God bless our nations Veterans, Have mercy on their souls. God bless our nations Veterans, Ever mindful as drum notes roll. God bless our Veterans families, Please ease their pain and woe. God bless our Veterans families, Hold high that flag that flows. God heal our Veterans wounds within, The unseen scars beyond bone deep. God heal our veterans wounds within, Slay the horrors that prowl their sleep. Never forget those stars and stripes, Our founding fathers keys to peace. Never forget those stars and stripes, For freedom dies when trust we cease! Let freedom ring on Midwest plains, where amber waves still grow. Let freedom ring on Midwest plains, Where heartland stars and stripes still flow. Peace is priceless, as Veterans know, No freedom is ever free! Remain alert and watch for foes, Lest liberty we have may flee! (anon, 2008) |
My View From the Lantern Room
It's early yet to be working on the pride of the fleet [read
that: Your boat, er, yacht] except, of course, for a few hardy souls. So now
is a goodtime to pickup some more history from the lighthouse files.
With that said here are some interesting facts about lighthouses!
Well, after all, lighthouses are one of my favorite subjects.
Fact #1: The oldest existing lighthouse in the world is
considered to be La Coruna in Spain and dates from circa, 20 B.C. A Roman
lighthouse is located on the Cliffs of Dover in the UK that was constructed in 40 A.D.
Fact #2: The first lighthouse in America was at Boston on Little
Brewster Island (1716). The first keeper was George Worthylake who was
drowned, along with his wife and daughter, when returning to the island in
1718. The original tower was destroyed y the British and eventually
reconstructed in 1784.
Fact #3: The oldest existing lighthouse in America (still in operation) is
Sandy Hook, NJ (1764).
Fact #4: The most expensive lighthouse built in America is St.
George reef, off Crescent City, CA. It took ten years to construct
(1882-1892) and cost $715,000.00. The Coast Guard abandoned it in 1972.
Fact #5: One to five keepers manned light stations.
Fact #6: There were many female lighthouse keepers, but most
obtained their position when their husband died or became incapacitated.
[At our 1866 light station, in 1870, when keeper Joseph Merrill passed away at
the station, his wife, Lorinda, took over the duties of the station].
Fact #7: The Lighthouse Service was created in 1789 by the 9th
Act of the first Congress. It was also the first act to provide for public
works. Over the years, lighthouse were placed under the direction of the
department of Revenue (this department was disbanded in 1820), Treasury
(until 1903), then Commerce and Transportation. The Lighthouse Board (of the Lighthouse
Establishment) held sway from 1852 to July 1, 1910 when Commerce created the Bureau of
Lighthouses. The Coast Guard took over on July 7, 1939.
Fact #8: There were never more than about 850 lighthouses in
operation at once, although about 1,500 were constructed in this country
over the years - the hey-day being about 1910. There were 220 constructed on the U.S.
shores of the Great Lakes. Michigan has the most with just over 100, followed by Maine.
Nautical Trivia Flying Dutchman-
One superstition has it that any mariner who sees the ghost ship
called the Flying Dutchman will die within the day. The tale of the Flying
Dutchman trying to round the Cape of Good Hope against strong winds and
never succeeding, then trying to make Cape Horn and failing there too, has
been the most famous of maritime ghost stories for more than 300 years. The cursed
spectral ship sailing back and forth on its endless voyage, its
ancient white-haired crew crying for help while hauling at her sail,
inspired Samuel Taylor Coleridge to write his classic "The Rime of the
Ancient Mariner," to name but one famous literary work. The real Flying
Dutchman is supposed to have set sail in 1660.
My View From the Lantern Room
Randy Hawkins
U.S.C.G.-AUX
08E1102
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Flotilla 11-02 (8ER) Officers 2008
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Flotilla 11-02 (8ER) New Members 2008
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