CLEVELAND — Coast Guard men and women from across the 9th Coast Guard District celebrated Veterans Day at various observances today, as well as earlier this month.

Throughout the Great Lakes region, Coast Guard units hosted Veterans Day observances, supported community events, and honored those who served before.

“Our nation owes its existence to those Americans who have fought for — and continue to fight for — our freedoms,” said Rear Adm. Michael N. Parks, commander of the 9th Coast Guard District.

The 6,000 active-duty, reserve, civilian and Auxiliary personnel who make up the 9th Coast Guard District deliver multi-mission services in search and rescue, maritime safety and security, environmental protection, maritime law enforcement, aids to navigation and ice breaking throughout the five Great Lakes, the Saint Lawrence Seaway and parts of the surrounding states.  This area includes 6,700 miles of shoreline and 1,500 miles of shared border with Canada.

Editor’s Note: Click the below thumbnail images to obtain high-resolution versions.

CHICAGO — Rear Adm. Michael N. Parks, commander of the 9th Coast Guard District, stands at attention as the Coast Guard’s service song, Semper Paratus, is played at the City of Chicago’s Veterans Day observance at Soldier Field here Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Scott McGrew

CLEVELAND — Coast Guard Capt. Stephen H. Torpey, chief of response for the 9th Coast Guard District, gives the keynote speech at the Veteran’s Day ceremony at Lakewood Park in Lakewood, Ohio, Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. The city’s annual Veterans Day observance is a tribute to the men and women who served our country in the armed forces. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class George Degener

CLEVELAND — Coast Guard Capt. Stephen H. Torpey, chief of response for the 9th Coast Guard District, gives the keynote speech at the Veterans Day ceremony at Lakewood Park in Lakewood, Ohio, Friday, Nov. 11, 2011. Torpey’s duties include the management of all law enforcement, search and rescue, pollution response, operational communications and intelligence programs within the Great Lakes. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class George Degener

CLEVELAND — In this screen-capture from a video produced by the 9th Coast Guard District External Affairs Office, Capt. John Bingaman, 9th Coast Guard District chief of staff, thanks Elizabeth Racic for her service as a Coast Guard SPAR during World War II before an Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C., at Cleveland-Hopkins Intl. Airport, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. Click here to read a blog post about the Honor Flight event. Click here to view a multimedia video from the event.

CLEVELAND — Rear Adm. Michael Parks, commander of the 9th Coast Guard District, thanks Elizabeth Racic for her service as a Coast Guard SPAR during World War II, before an Honor Flight trip to Washington, D.C., at Cleveland-Hopkins Intl. Airport, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011. SPARs (a contraction of Semper Paratus, Always Ready, the Coast Guard’s motto and its translation) were the women’s reserve that augmented forces in the United States during World War II. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class George Degener

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Dave Lheureux conducts the Twelve Folds of the Flag Ceremony at a Veterans Day observance at Air Station Traverse City on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class April Caverly

DETROIT — Coast Guard WWII veteran David Walker visits Coast Guard Sector Detroit Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2011. Walker, who served a combined total of 15 years in the Naval Reserve and active-duty Coast Guard, frequently visits today’s Coast Guardsmen at Sector Detroit and celebrated his 93rd birthday at the unit. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Ezra Graham   Click here to read a blog post about Walker’s visit to Sector Detroit.

9th District units supported these other events and observances:

• A rescue helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City, Mich., flew over Forest Park schools in Crystal Falls, Mich., and landed there on Nov. 3 to kick off the town’s Veterans Week celebrations
• Capt. Jeff Ogden, commander of Coast Guard Sector Detroit, laid a wreath and served in a US/Canadian honor guard at the Lost Mariners Remembrance at Dossin Great Lakes Museum Thursday evening, with Station Belle Isle supporting with a rescue boatcrew
• Cmdr. Edward Marohn, deputy commander of Sector Detroit, attended a Veterans Day ceremony at the Detroit Athletic Club, and Lt. Cmdr. Gary Koehler, chief of prevention at Sector Detroit, participated in a memorial service at Mariner’s Church of Detroit by conducting a reading and bell ringing Friday
• Petty Officer 1st Class Jason Sanders, a search and rescue controller at Sector Detroit, participated in a wreath-laying ceremony at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Mich., Friday
• A crewmember will represent Coast Guard Station Sturgeon Bay, Wis., at the Brian LaViolette Scholarship Foundation’s “Celebrating What’s Right With America” event Friday afternoon
• Senior Chief Petty Officer Jeffrey Dale, command senior chief at Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., spoke at a Veterans Day observance at Sault Ste. Marie High School Friday
• Lt. Cmdr. Nicholas Wong, chief of prevention at Sector Sault Ste. Marie, re-enacted a re-enlistment ceremony for a member of the unit at a local grade school Friday
• Personnel from Coast Guard Station St. Clair Shores, Mich., gave presentations on boating and water safety as well as Coast Guard careers at a Veterans Day concert at Fountain Elementary School in Roseville, Mich., Friday
• Much of the crew at Coast Guard Station Harbor Beach, Mich., attended Harbor Beach High School’s “Breakfast for Veterans”
• Master Chief Petty Officer Gerald Backus, officer-in-charge of Coast Guard Station Saginaw River in Essexville, Mich., participated in a Veterans Day event at a local school Thursday

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Senior Chief Petty Officer Robert Pump, Station San Juan Officer in Charge and Chief Petty Officer Daniel Capestany, Leadership and Diversity Advisory Council’s Chair, greet Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar prior to a familiarization ride aboard the Station’s 45-foot Response Boat Tuesday.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Boat Station San Juan crewmembers take a group photo with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar aboard the station’s 45-foot Response Boat Medium in front of the historical Spanish Fort San Felipe del El Morro at the entrance of San Juan Harbor Tuesday.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar enjoys the opportunity to drive a 45-foot Response Boat Medium, while on a familiarization ride with Station San Juan personnel in San Juan Harbor Tuesday.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar receives a plaque from Capt. Marc Stegman, U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan deputy commander, during Hispanic Heritage event celebrations at Coast Guard Base San Juan Tuesday, where Alomar served as a guest speaker.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Sector San Juan Prevention Department personnel take a group photo with Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Robert Alomar during Hispanic Heritage celebrations at Coast Guard Base San Juan Tuesday.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Puerto Rican cultural musical group Andante performs for Sector San Juan service and family members during Hispanic Heritage event celebrations at Coast Guard Base San Juan Tuesday.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Puerto Rican cultural dance group Gíbaro performs for Sector San Juan service and family members during Hispanic Heritage event celebrations at Coast Guard Base San Juan Tuesday.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – The Insular Association of Paso Fino Horses in Puerto Rico provides a Paso Fino Horse demonstration to Sector San Juan service and family members during Hispanic Heritage observance celebrations at Coast Guard Base San Juan Wednesday.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Juan personnel celebrated their Hispanic Heritage observance event at Coast Guard Base San Juan Tuesday.

The event featured Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar as well as cultural musical and dance groups provided by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture and the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.

“This was a great event that allowed Sector San Juan personnel to value the service and heritage of Hispanic service members in the U.S. Armed Forces,” said Capt. Drew Pearson, Sector San Juan commander.  “Honoring, learning and respecting our shipmates’ various cultures makes the Coast Guard a stronger organization.”

As the event’s guest speaker, Alomar addressed more than 200 Coast Guard service and family members and thanked them for their service.  He also expressed the importance that leadership, dedication and hard work played in his success on the field, and how his family’s support allowed him to achieve his lifetime dream to become a Major League Baseball player. Alomar also had the opportunity to experience the professionalism and skills of Coast Guard boatcrews during a familiarization ride in San Juan Harbor aboard a Coast Guard’s multi-mission 45-foot Response Boat-Medium.

Sector San Juan service and family members were also able to experience a folklore dance exhibition by the Gíbaro dance crew, and performances by musical groups Andante and Pleneros Con Sabor.  They also enjoyed an array of dishes prepared by Sector San Juan Galley personnel representing different Hispanic cultures throughout Latin America, and witnessed a Paso Fino horse demonstration from the Insular Association of Paso Fino Horses in Puerto Rico.

San Juan, Puerto Rico – The Coast Guard would like to remind the public and boaters in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to be safe during Fourth of July celebrations and that flares are to be used for emergencies, not as fireworks.

Flares are essential visual signaling devices that can be used day or night to alert emergency responders and fellow boaters to an emergency situation. Flares are also instrumental in assisting emergency responders to locate those in need of help.

What the public may not realize is that improper use of flares could potentially divert valuable search assets from an actual distress case and put rescuers unnecessarily in harms way while responding to the false alarm. Not only do false alarms tie up assets that could be needed elsewhere, burn up crew hours and fuel, but they can also prevent scheduled operations from taking place.

“Launching a flare just for fun is an irresponsible act, said John Hall, Coast Guard Sector San Juan command duty officer. “Coast Guard response to flares are a life and death situation, we send assets until we can confirm it is a non-distress situation.  Launching a flare during a non-emergency could prevent us from rendering the proper assistance to a real one.”

If boaters plan to use flares for training they should contact the Coast Guard Sector San Juan Command Center at 787-289-2041 to inform them of their intentions. Boaters should be prepared to give times, locations and types of flares that will be utilized during the training exercise.

The Coast Guard recommends that boaters properly dispose of old or outdated flares by turning them over to a Coast Guard base, Coast Guard Auxiliary unit and U.S. Power Squadrons Vessel Safety Check Stations. Boaters can also check with their local fire department about the proper disposal of expired flares.

San Juan, Puerto Rico – The Coast Guard would like to remind the public and boaters in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands to be safe during Fourth of July celebrations and that flares are to be used for emergencies, not as fireworks.

Flares are essential visual signaling devices that can be used day or night to alert emergency responders and fellow boaters to an emergency situation. Flares are also instrumental in assisting emergency responders to locate those in need of help.

What the public may not realize is that improper use of flares could potentially divert valuable search assets from an actual distress case and put rescuers unnecessarily in harms way while responding to the false alarm. Not only do false alarms tie up assets that could be needed elsewhere, burn up crew hours and fuel, but they can also prevent scheduled operations from taking place.

“Launching a flare just for fun is an irresponsible act, said John Hall, Coast Guard Sector San Juan command duty officer. “Coast Guard response to flares are a life and death situation, we send assets until we can confirm it is a non-distress situation.  Launching a flare during a non-emergency could prevent us from rendering the proper assistance to a real one.”

If boaters plan to use flares for training they should contact the Coast Guard Sector San Juan Command Center at 787-289-2041 to inform them of their intentions. Boaters should be prepared to give times, locations and types of flares that will be utilized during the training exercise.

The Coast Guard recommends that boaters properly dispose of old or outdated flares by turning them over to a Coast Guard base, Coast Guard Auxiliary unit and U.S. Power Squadrons Vessel Safety Check Stations. Boaters can also check with their local fire department about the proper disposal of expired flares.

 Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen hosts Ramey School students Thursday during the Centennial of Naval Aviation celebrations at Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.  Photo by Ricardo Castrodad, Sector San Juan Public Affairs Specialist.

Ramey School students inside a Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen MH-65 Dolphin helicopter cockpit Thursday during the Centennial of Naval Aviation celebrations at Air Station Borinquen, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.  Photo by Ricardo Castrodad, Sector San Juan Public Affairs Specialist.

The crew of a Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen MH-65 Dolphin helicopter delivers a search and resue demonstration to 250 Ramey School students Thursday at Air Station Borinquen, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.  Photo by Ricardo Castrodad, Sector San Juan Public Affairs Specialist.

Ramey School students tour a U.S. Customs and Border Protection UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter Thursday during an aircraft exhibition at Air Station Borinquen in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.  Photo by Ricardo Castrodad, Sector San Juan Public Affairs Specialist.

Ramey School students tour the inside of a Puerto Rico Air National Guard C-130E Hercules aircraft during an aircraft exhibiton at Air Station Borinquen in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.  Photo by Ricardo Castrodad, Sector San Juan Public Affairs Specialist.

Ramey School students tour the inside of the Freedom of Spirit, a fully functional C-54 aircraft that serves as an aerial museum of the Berlin Airlift, during an aircraft exhibition Thursday at Air Station Borinquen, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.  Photo by Ricardo Castrodad, Sector San Juan Public Affairs Specialist.

AGUADILLA, Puerto Rico – Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen celebrated the Centennial of Naval Aviation Thursday alongside the Ramey Air Force Base Historical Association and the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation by hosting and presenting their third exhibition of military, federal law enforcement and historical aircraft to 250 Ramey School students in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

“These children are our future,” said Capt. Melvin Bouboulis, Air Station Borinquen commander.  “We are honored to give them the opportunity to learn about Naval Aviation history and the different air missions supported by the Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security partner agencies in the Caribbean.”

The students were able to tour two Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen MH-65 Dolphin helicopters, a Coast Guard Air Station Miami, Fla. HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft; a U.S. Customs and Border Protection UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter; a Puerto Rico Air National Guard C-130E aircraft; the historical Spirit of Freedom, a fully operational C-54 aircraft, which participated and serves as an aerial museum of the Berlin Airlift; and two operational U.S. Border Patrol vehicles.

“It was priceless to also watch the students relive the great history of former Ramey Air Force Base and their participation in the Berlin Airlift by witnessing first hand the Spirit of Freedom C-54 aircraft,” said Bouboulis. 

“We are very delighted to return to the former Ramey Air Force Base and now U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen on this multipurpose mission with the Ramey Air Force Base Historical Association and Military Families United,” said Timothy A. Chopp, President of the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation and aircraft commander of the Douglass C-54 Spirit of Freedom. “We are here to honor the men who departed Ramey Air Force Base with 16 C-54’s to participate in the Berlin Airlift, to honor the heroes of Puerto Rico who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, to honor all veterans who served their country from Ramey Air Force Base, and to honor, “The Pride of the Caribbean,” the men and women of U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen.”

The crew of an Air Station Borinquen MH-65 Dolphin helicopter also performed two live search and rescue demonstrations for the students, who watched with enthusiasm as the helicopter crew deployed their rescue swimmer to execute a basket hoist of a training victim.

 Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen hosts Ramey School students Thursday during the Centennial of Naval Aviation celebrations at Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.  Photo by Ricardo Castrodad, Sector San Juan Public Affairs Specialist.

Ramey School students inside a Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen MH-65 Dolphin helicopter cockpit Thursday during the Centennial of Naval Aviation celebrations at Air Station Borinquen, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.  Photo by Ricardo Castrodad, Sector San Juan Public Affairs Specialist.

The crew of a Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen MH-65 Dolphin helicopter delivers a search and resue demonstration to 250 Ramey School students Thursday at Air Station Borinquen, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.  Photo by Ricardo Castrodad, Sector San Juan Public Affairs Specialist.

Ramey School students tour a U.S. Customs and Border Protection UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter Thursday during an aircraft exhibition at Air Station Borinquen in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.  Photo by Ricardo Castrodad, Sector San Juan Public Affairs Specialist.

Ramey School students tour the inside of a Puerto Rico Air National Guard C-130E Hercules aircraft during an aircraft exhibiton at Air Station Borinquen in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.  Photo by Ricardo Castrodad, Sector San Juan Public Affairs Specialist.

Ramey School students tour the inside of the Freedom of Spirit, a fully functional C-54 aircraft that serves as an aerial museum of the Berlin Airlift, during an aircraft exhibition Thursday at Air Station Borinquen, Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.  Photo by Ricardo Castrodad, Sector San Juan Public Affairs Specialist.

AGUADILLA, Puerto Rico – Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen celebrated the Centennial of Naval Aviation Thursday alongside the Ramey Air Force Base Historical Association and the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation by hosting and presenting their third exhibition of military, federal law enforcement and historical aircraft to 250 Ramey School students in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

“These children are our future,” said Capt. Melvin Bouboulis, Air Station Borinquen commander.  “We are honored to give them the opportunity to learn about Naval Aviation history and the different air missions supported by the Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security partner agencies in the Caribbean.”

The students were able to tour two Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen MH-65 Dolphin helicopters, a Coast Guard Air Station Miami, Fla. HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircraft; a U.S. Customs and Border Protection UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter; a Puerto Rico Air National Guard C-130E aircraft; the historical Spirit of Freedom, a fully operational C-54 aircraft, which participated and serves as an aerial museum of the Berlin Airlift; and two operational U.S. Border Patrol vehicles.

“It was priceless to also watch the students relive the great history of former Ramey Air Force Base and their participation in the Berlin Airlift by witnessing first hand the Spirit of Freedom C-54 aircraft,” said Bouboulis. 

“We are very delighted to return to the former Ramey Air Force Base and now U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen on this multipurpose mission with the Ramey Air Force Base Historical Association and Military Families United,” said Timothy A. Chopp, President of the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation and aircraft commander of the Douglass C-54 Spirit of Freedom. “We are here to honor the men who departed Ramey Air Force Base with 16 C-54’s to participate in the Berlin Airlift, to honor the heroes of Puerto Rico who lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, to honor all veterans who served their country from Ramey Air Force Base, and to honor, “The Pride of the Caribbean,” the men and women of U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Borinquen.”

The crew of an Air Station Borinquen MH-65 Dolphin helicopter also performed two live search and rescue demonstrations for the students, who watched with enthusiasm as the helicopter crew deployed their rescue swimmer to execute a basket hoist of a training victim.