Carteret County milestone: We’re a ‘Coast Guard Community’

 

Retired Coast Guard Chief Ira Lewis of Harkers Island celebrates the day with Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Jessica E. Van Horn February 25 at the Coast Guard Community recognition ceremony held at the Crystal Coast Civic Center in Morehead City.  Chief Lewis, who is 97 years old, was a star of the show. Carteret County is just the second county in the United States to be designated as an official “Coast Guard Community.”

 

Coast Guard Chaplain Lt. Cmdr. John M. Mabus of Elizabeth City set the tone in delivering his invocation.  Here are excerpts of his remarks:

“Thank you for this beautiful day and this beautiful location to celebrate and honor the rich Coast Guard heritage here in Carteret County.  This history is full of Coast Guard innovation, commitment to excellence and devotion to save lives and protect our homeland.

“As we take time today to officially designate Carteret County as a Coast Guard Community, we are thankful for the wonderful hospitality that this community has shown to the Coast Guard for decades of service.

“…Carteret County has been a community devoted to rescuing those in need as they have provided a welcoming place for the Coast Guard and its mission, which is so close to your heart and character.

“We give you praise for the tapestry of connections between the Coast Guard and the residents, institutions and businesses of the Crystal Coast.

“Thank you for the ongoing and growing support of local officials to seek better and more effective ways to encourage and support the Coast Guard mission and families.

“We are grateful for the ways that the Coast Guard is able to partner with the local schools, churches, service organizations and support agencies.

“We pray for your blessing to continue to be on Carteret County and the Coast Guard and its employees and families here in the Crystal Coast as they serve each day with honor, respect and devotion to duty.”

Here are links to local news media coverage.

http://www.jdnews.com/news/20160225/carteret-honored-for-relationship-with-coast-guard/?Start=2

http://www.wcti12.com/news/carteret-county-designated-coast-guard-community/38197204

http://wnct.com/2016/02/25/carteret-county-receives-honor-of-2nd-county-in-the-nation-to-be-deemed-a-coast-guard-community/

http://www.carolinacoastonline.com/news_times/article_5398b7fa-dca7-11e5-a87b-6ff77f2b9b64.html

Rear Admiral Stephen Metruck, Commander of the Fifth Coast Guard District (right), presented the Coast Guard Community declaration to Carteret County, and North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge Doug McCullough, a resident of Atlantic Beach, offered congratulatory remarks.

Cmdr. Javier Delgado of Coast Guard Station Fort Macon and Ben Crabtree of Flotilla 20-02, Morehead City, Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Robin Comer, Chair of the Carteret County Board of Commissioners, and Capt. Joseph Dufresne of Coast Guard Sector North Carolina