Reservist Magazine is the award-winning official publication of the United States Coast Guard Reserve. Quarterly issues include news and feature articles about the men and women who comprise America's premier national maritime safety and security
Issue link: https://uscgreservist.epubxp.com/i/780957
Reservists in Louisiana Celebrate the h olidays by Volunteering On Saturday, December 10, 2016, U.S. Coast Guard Base New Orleans reservists made arrangements to volunteer at the Trinity Neurologic Rehabilitation Center spending time with 11 veterans who reside there and have no families with which to share the holidays. Located in Slidell, La., Trinity Neurologic provides specialty rehabilitation, complex medical care and extended care services. It operates a 110- bed center offering care and treatment to patients with multiple medical rehabilitation and skilled nursing needs. Reserve members either bought holiday gifts or contributed to give a little something to each of the veterans. Because the patients love karaoke and the hospital had only been able to rent a karaoke system on a limited basis, the CG members bought the residents a brand new one with wireless microphones. After volunteering at Trinity, Base New Orleans reservists then headed to "Christmas Under the Stars" in Slidell to work as event coordinators. The event featured thousands of twinkling lights, festive decorations, visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Parade of Trees and a life- sized Christmas Village. Reservists helped to facilitate the visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus for over 800 children. They also helped children write countless letters to Santa and participated in the clean up at the end of the evening. All in all it was it was a very enjoyable and rewarding experience for each reservist involved. — Story by Cmdr. Kevin M. Tyrrell, Senior Reserve Officer, Base New Orleans 9th District Reservist h elps With Community Outreach YN2 Reynard Ramos was requested by Buffalo's School #76 Herman Badillo Bilingual Academy's staff to participate in their Community Helpers day Program on Monday, October 31, 2016. The school invited a variety of civil servants including local doctors, the Buffalo Fire and Police Departments, council members of local districts, school administrators and others. Ramos was asked to speak to the students about the U.S. Coast Guard and to educate them and the staff about the role Coast Guard plays at both the local and national level. His "Show & Tell" props included several numerous items (awards, headgear, challenge coins, copies of the RESERVIST magazine, posters) to illustrate and explain more about the Coast Guard. He also spoke about himself; where he came from and how he decided to join the Coast Guard Reserve, as many of the children were from the same community in which he grew up in. This was the school's first time putting together a program of this type and it was a major success with the help of community members such as YN2 Ramos. The school has plans to make this an annual event and has asked Ramos to return next year. "It was honored to have been invited to represent the U.S. Coast Guard," reported Ramos. "I enjoyed being able to do outreach in my community on behalf of Sector Buffalo's active and Reserve members. I look forward to doing so again in the future." — Submitted by: Lt. Greg Jensen Base n ew o rleans Reservists pose for a photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Y n 2 Reynard Ramos, shown here with students and staff at the Herman Badillo Bilingual Academy Community o utreach event on Monday, o ctober 31, 2016. Issue 1 • 2017 � RESERVIST 13