Coast Guard

Combat Veterans Association

The Officers

Stephen Petersen, LM

 National President

Terry O'Connell, LM

National Vice President

Gary Sherman, LM

  National Secretary / Treasurer

Board of Trustees’

PNP Michael Placencia, LM   

Chairman

   Gil "Frenchy" Benoit, LM, 2term

    William Figone  , LM 2term

         Bruce Bruni, LM,1term

     Butch Hampton, LM, 1term

Founders

Robert Bailey

Noel Bell

Gil Benoit, LM (PNP)

John Ehrmann

Paul A. Ewaldt

Ned Fontaine, LM

John Gnegy, LM*

Baker W. Herbert, LM*

Bill Hoover, LM, (PNP)

Donald Kneip (CTB-’95)*

R.W. Madura,LM

Barry Nance,LM*

VADM. T.R.  Sargent III, LM*

Paul Scotti, LM (PNP)

Roger Williams,LM*

Appointees:

ByLaws

Gary Sherman, NS/T

Convention Planner

Bruce Bruni, LM

Michael Placencia, PNP

Michael A. Johnson, LM

Nominating Committee

William Figone

Membership Director 

PNP Michael Placencia

Quarterdeck Log

Editor

Bruce Bruni, LM

Historian

PNP Paul Scotti, LM

Master-At-Arms

Russell Weeks

Webmaster

Richard Ames, LM

Parliamentarian

Mike Placencia, LM

Chaplain

Vince Patton, LM

Small Stores Manager

Richard Hogan, Jr.

Cape May Coordinator

Thomas Dougherty

Coast Guard Academy

Parent's Day Representative

Edward Bachand

Service Officers

Tom Huckelberry

Larry Jones 

LINK TO USS SERPENS WEBSITE:

http://ak97.org

TO ALL CONCERNED ABOUT COVID-19 AND THE 2021 REUNION:

THE NEW ORLEANS EVENT IS CANCELLED!

However, the Reunion Committee has signed a new contract.  

See information below!

https://afr-reg.com/CGCVA2021/

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE NEWS:

How to pay dues, purchase Small Stores or make a donation:

DUES:

Pay dues on this Home Page, using debit/credit cards. See the left column to pay regular member dues. 

SMALL STORES:

Purchase Small Stores on the Small Stores page using debit/credit card, or mail our Small Stores manager a check. 

DONATIONS:

Make a Donation of any amount, by debit/credit card on this Home page, above, on the top right column! 

The Book is out! 

 THE LONG BLUE LINE DISRUPTED

by Robert G. Breen, Associate Member of the CGCVA and Dr. Douglas E. Campbell, noted Naval Historian and published writer.

The cost is $20.00 at book signings and by mail. Send Check or Money order to Robert G. Breen, 743 Fringed Orchid Trail, Venice, FL 34293 The book is also available on Amazon.com for $26.75 as well as Barnes and Noble Book Stores.

The Story of USS Serpens (AK-97) and the Quest for Reinstatement of the Purple Heart The story of USS Serpens (AK-97) is an important chapter in Coast Guard history - the most tragic loss of life in the more than 220 years of Coast Guard service to the United States. Contained within these pages is the official ship’s War Diary along with some 200 personal letters sent from Serpens’ crew to their friends and loved ones waiting for them to return home. On 29 January 1945, while sitting off Guadalcanal, Serpens exploded. Of the roughly 250 crew and Army stevedores on board at the time, only two Coastguardsmen survived. While this is the story of ship and crew, the final chapter still needs to be written – the awarding of the Purple Heart. It was awarded, the two who survived and several families of those killed received them, and then through misstep or miscommunication, the medal was rescinded. Help reinstate the Purple Heart on behalf of the relatives of the Serpens’ crew

WE NEED YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS!

Out of the 1,300+  members of the CGCVA, only about 450 of you have submitted your email address.   That's only about 35% of you!

Why is your email needed?

If we have your email:

1) We can quickly let you know about events in your area.

2) We can make announcements quickly to the entire association that cannot wait until the next issue of the Quarterdeck Log comes out.

3) If your dues are past due, you'll get an email simply indicating that your dues are past due and you need to send money in right away, to keep your membership active.

4) We can contact you more quickly if we have a question about a payment we've received.

So many times we'll have your address in our system and get a check for your dues renewal and the addresses don't match.  Some times we get a check, which doesn't match the address in our system, and the return address on the envelope doesn't match the check or our system address so it's impossible to determine which is your current address.  So we call your phone number and it doesn't work or we leave a message and we get no response.  Email would help get the message to you and it's easier for you to respond.

5)  Email is the best form of communication.  It saves us having to mail you a post card when your dues are past due.   

6)  If email isn't your thing, we can use your kids or grandkid's email to send CGCVA notices.

So please consider joining the 21st century and send in your email address.

As a matter of fact, just email us at cgcva@comcast.net or just click on the highlighted "Email Address" above to open a pre addressed email and we'll receive your email address !!!!

We appreciate your cooperation!

Thank you!

CGCVA

            The Coast Guard Combat Veterans Association is a Commemorative Partner in this endeavor.  Consequently, we agree to carry out events and activities to salute Vietnam veterans.  These salutes may be initiated and done by our members.

            Things to honor veterans and their families can be anything you can imagine:  e.g. having students/youths compose essays; holding exhibits (photo, artifacts, models); holding ceremonies; hosting luncheons; giving talks; and so on.

            As a Commemorative Partner the CGCVA is called upon to provide the Vietnam War Commemoration submissions of upcoming events, if applicable, and an after-action summary of what we have done.  To remain a partner the Association has to perform at least two activities a year.