Reservist

ISS2 2013

Reservist Magazine is the award-winning official publication of the United States Coast Guard Reserve. Bi-monthly 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/140140

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Budapest Run Commemorates the Victims of Boston Marathon Bombing O n April 23, 2013, the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA) in Budapest, Hungary participated in the Budapest Runs for Boston event to commemorate the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings. The 5.3 km memorial run took place on Margit Island, which is located in the Danube River. Pictured, at right, holding the U.S. flag is Ens. Tommy Brabson, Marine Safety Unit Savannah, who is also a Senior Instructor at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. Ens. Brabson organized the event for ILEA Session # 90 while serving in the capacity of Class Coordinator. Also pictured above are US Ambassador to Hungary Eleni Tsakopoulos Kounalakis, ILEA Director John Terpinas, and ILEA Session #90 participants from Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, and Hungary. � ens. tommy Brabson, MSU Savannah, holds the american fag at the Budapest Runs for Boston event to commemorate the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings at the international Law enforcement academy (iLea) in Budapest, Hungary. CPOA Chapters Encouraged to 'Adopt a National Cemetery' Tis Veteran's Day I n 1996, The Reservist magazine published a two-part series entitled Coast Guard Monuments Across the USA. The series prompted a visit by a group of Coast Guardsmen to Arlington National Cemetery (ANC). During the visit they noticed that many of the fallen servicemen had the appropriate service flag placed next to their headstone during the period leading up to Veteran's Day. They also noticed that the Coast Guard Standard was absent from gravesites of CG members. So commencing with Veteran's Day 1998, CG flags have been placed on CG graves prior to Veterans Day leading to the birth of Flags Across America (FAA). Over the past 15 years, the FAA has proudly and reverently, displayed the CG Standard and National Ensign on over 400 ANC graves sites for our fallen shipmates who lived and died by the CG core values of Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty. This year's FAA event at ANC will take place on November 2, 2013. I ask all Chief Petty Officers Association (CPOA) chapters to consider adopting a National Cemetery in your area of responsibility and place the CG Standard and National Ensign on CG Veterans graves from November 2 until November 12, 2013 in observance of Veteran's Day. A list of National Cemeteries can be found at the following website: http://www.cem.va.gov/cems/ listcem.asp. The CPOA Chapters will need to work with the National Cemeteries administrative offices (that they adopt) for guidance and approval. FAA events are low-key family events open to all -- veterans, those still serving, family and friends. An informal program led by your chapter is recommended prior to placement of the flags. Some program ideas include: presentation of the Colors by a CG unit, a guest speaker, benediction, playing of TAPS, Semper Paratus on bag pipes and signing of the National Anthem. In addition, consider offering local youth groups the opportunity to give a presentation on the history of the National Ensign and the National Anthem. A group photo to capture your event and publicize it locally. Finally, some simple refreshments are a nice way to say thank you to those who come out to support our veterans. FAA has some limited resources to assist CPOA Chapters in acquiring flags. If your chapter does wish to participate, send me an e-mail (see below) with the National Cemetery that your chapter will be adopting and number of National Ensigns and CG Standards needed. For example, if you contact a local National Cemetery and they indicate they have 200 Coast Guard Veterans buried in the cemetery, you would need 200 National Ensigns and CG Standards. The flags would be purchased and sent to your chapter. Again FAA's resources are limited. There is the possibility local CPOA Chapters may have to incur part of the cost. Flags typically sell for $2.00 to $3.00 each. If you would like a script from last year's FAA ANC event – contact FAA Chairperson YNCS Michael A. Jarbeck at (202)4755220 or Michael.A.Jarbeck@uscg.mil. � — Submitted by YNCS Michael Jarbeck, Assistant to the Command Master Chief of the Reserve Force Issue 2 • 2013 � RESERVIST 27

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