Quarterly meeting minutes

Coast Guard Retiree Council Northwest meeting minutes – DRAFT

13 July 2024

Meeting by video conference (via Jitsi Meet); called to order at 1032 by Bert Kinghorn.

Retirees & Annuitants in Attendance: Bert Kinghorn (co-chair), Sean McPhilamy (co-chair), Mark Ashley, Gary Ausman, Dave Hoard, Jeff Hill, Paul Luppert, Evelyn Oliver, and Stan Smith

Approval of minutes from the April 2024 meeting.

District 13 update deferred (no representative present):

Base Seattle update (CAPT Kahlil, CAPT Murphy, LCDR Chris Weber): introduction of Captain Murphy, prospective Commanding Officer of Base Seattle. Continued improvements of the Base infrastructure and support to homeported and visiting cutters. Potential informal event prior to Cutter POLAR SEA, prior to the vessel’s departure. See additional details in LCDR Weber’s email (enclosed as copy).

Old Business

Co-Chair relief (Bert Kinghorn): repeated call for replacement co-chair.

Council webmaster (Bert Kinghorn): Chris Tossey has volunteered to assume duties as

webmaster; anticipated site familiarization, updates/posts will take some time.

Passing of LCDRPhilJohnson, co-chairemeritus (Bert Kinghorn): expressed appreciation to Base, District and Sector for outstanding support of Phil’s spouse,especially to honor Phil’s wish for burial at sea.

New Business: CoastGuardDay picnic (Bert Kinghorn): Mark LeBeau volunteered to host our retiree council table during the picnic; additional volunteers requested to assist.

Northwest Coast Guard Reunion (Mark Ashley): Background; this every other year reunion will be held in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho at the Best Western Inn. Attendees have typically been from units within the PacNW, Bering Sea patrol cutters, and miscellaneous others. To make this reunion successful, and ensure commitments to our venues are upheld, this reunion is open to all. If you want to reconnect with shipmates and don’t have a venue, no planning is required…just sign up and show up!

Registration Form; attached. Activities include a Lake Coeur d’Alene boat cruise and a

tour of the NAVSEA Submarine Acoustic Research Detachment at Lake Pend Oreille. Deadline to sign up is the end of August. Coast Guard JROTC Program (Jeff Hill): passed along to help generate interest for a public or private secondary education institution to host a unit here in the Pacific Northwest.

Coast Guard Retiree Council Northwest meeting minutes – DRAFT

13 July 2024

Chapter/Area Reports

Spokane (Paul Luppert): nothing to report.

Portland/Vancouver (Dave Hoard): commissioning of Cutter DAVID DUREN.

North Olympic Peninsula (Mark Ashley): continued breakfast meetings, nothing to report.

Blaine/Bellingham (Greg Burg): unable to attend, nothing to report.

Good of the Order

Attendees shared memories of Phil Johnson’s exceptional service to our council, our community,

and our world.

Moment of Silence

The meeting adjourned at 1115. Next meeting is tentatively scheduled for 19 October 2024.

• Coast Guard Retiree Council Northwest meeting minutes – DRAFT13 July 2024From: “Weber, Christopher L LCDR USCG Base Seattle” Subject: Base Seattle Notes for 13Apr Council Meeting (edited)Date: July 13, 2024 at 10:27:36 AKDT To: Sean McPhilamy 2024 Coast Guard Day Celebration: Date/Time: August 9th; 1100-1500; 1015 admissions table opens. Location: Held at Lord Hill Farms Tickets: 5 and under are free; 6-14 are $8; 15 and up are $10New Friday Galley Hours: Reduced to 1100-1200 from 1230 closing, due to minimal patrons on Fridays.2024 Fleet Week Base Seattle Involvement: Terminal 46 will be open for public tours on Thursday, August 1stto Sunday, August 4th, 0900-1600. Ship tours aboard USN, RCN and CGCs; vendors, exhibits and static displays provided by maritime organizations across the region; and a food truck (or 2).DEERS/ID Card Desk: No changes to locations or services right now. Previous information about new Retiree ID Cards still valid: Base Seattle’s DEERs/ID Card office has the new ID cards, but the legacy ID cards remain valid until their expiration dates. Those with non-expiring/indefinite cards may replace theirs with the new card when they have a need arise (i.e. lost/damaged card, change in information). Will confirm if a deadline for transitioning to new Retiree ID Cards has been established.Base Seattle Gym: New days/hours: Mon-Fri 0600-1900; closed weekends and holidays Website updated.o coast guard base seattle gym – Google Search o MWR (uscg.mil)  Unfortunately, there is no elevator in which patrons can use to access the new gym location on the 2ndfloor, but our Facilities Engineering team is looking to install one (no estimate though). Feedback received about reduced availability…unfortunately, Community Services Command will either need to accept additional risk by allowing Retirees & Dependents after-hours use, or we’ll need additional personnel to staff.CGC POLAR SEA: Ship is expected to depart late Summer or Fall, 2024. CAPT Khalil received a note that there may be interest from prior sailors wanting to walk the decks one last time. A few months ago CAPT Khalil approached PACAREA and Cutter Forces about a ceremony for the POLAR STAR, but both offices communicated a plan for a joint decommissioning of POLAR STAR and POLAR SEA (possible not until early 2030s), and no interest in any formal or public event. While there will not be any official CG function and Base Seattle personnel may be limited in their ability to provide support, the Base CO may grant access to facilitate a final walking of the decks by prior sailors. Mr. Dave Hoard will determine what’s desired and will reach out to LCDR Weber for appropriate Base Seattle POCs and support.Base Seattle Change of Command & CAPT Khalil Retirement (CoC): Will be held on July 19thon Pier 36A just behind the Base Seattle Galley. CoC Ceremony begins at 1000, with a follow-on Retirement Ceremony at 1115. Retirees interested in attending can still provide their information to me: nothing received yet.Action Items: Will confirm if a deadline for transitioning to new Retiree ID Cards has been established. Will relay to Mr. Art Graddy the possibility that some folks from the Retiree Council may be willing/able to assist with tickets at the CG Day Celebration.V/r,ChrisLCDR Chris WeberPersonnel Support Dept HeadCO of Enlisted PersonnelUSCG Base Seattle