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 Placenica

Chairman

          Bruce Bruni, LM, 2term

       Robert Macleod  , LM 2term

     Gil "Frenchy" Benoit, LM,1term

         William Figone, 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*

Appointee’s

Service Officer

Tom Huckelberry

Larry Jones

ByLaws

Thomas Hart

PNP Paul Scotti

Convention Planner

Michael Placencia, PNP

Gary Sherman, NS/T

Bruce Bruni, LM

Nominating Committee

William Figone

Membership Director 

PNP Michael Placencia

Quarterdeck Log

Editors

Bruce Bruni, LM

Gary Sherman, LM

PNP Michael Placencia, 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

An important message from National President, Stephen Petersen:

Association Members, 

The Coast Guard's 41,000 active duty members will not be paid on their next pay day scheduled for Jan. 15th due to the lack of appropriations in the ongoing government shutdown.  This may also effect retired Coast Guard members.  Since the Coast Guard is funded by the Department of Homeland Security and not the Dept. of Defense, we are greatly impacted by the lapse of appropriations.

If you feel that the Coast Guard should be paid in a timely manner, it is your right to contact your elected federal, state and local officials and voice your opinion.  This is an individual choice, which if exercised could possibly bring about pressure that would resolve the current situation.  Bills were introduced earlier last week in both the US House and Senate to ensure that our members get paid, but whether the legislation, "Pay our Coast Guard Act" can be approved before January 15th is doubtful.  Congress needs a push!  The Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Program is ready and willing to assist CG members E-5 and below with temporary loans in the amount of $1,000 and $750, depending on dependent status (Refer to AC 434/15 msg). 

On 1-11-19 Vice Commandant ADM Charles Ray (CGCVA member) has issued an ALCOAST 434/18 message that addresses some of the most frequently asked questions that CG members may have pertaining too the shutdown.  This site, https//www.dcms.uscg.mil/budget will be continually updated, as necessary.  (See the following message). 

We as an Association, have members active/retired in high places, working diligently to help resolve the pay crisis.  We wish them the best in their endeavors. 

Semper Paratus!

Steve Petersen, MCPO (Ret.)

National President

Coast Guard Combat Veterans Association

**************************************************************

LAPSE IN APPROPRIATIONS:

From:  Ray, Charles W. ADM

To Coast Guard Retirees and Annuitants, 

I know you are undoubtedly concerned by the duration of this funding hiatus, what it might mean for your pay and benefits, and how it will conclude.  I want to assure you that Admiral Schultz and I recognize the hardship this lapse places on you and your families. 

Please be assured that we are continuing to work closely with the Department of Homeland Security, the Administration, and Congress to reduce the impacts of this funding lapse on our Coast Guard workforce - past and present - and I will keep you informed as additional information becomes available.  While the Department of Homeland Security and the Coast Guard will exhaust every option, there is a distinct possibility that Retiree Pay and Survivor Benefits Plan (SBP) payments may be delayed if this lapse continues into late January. 

I understand that you may have questions.  I would encourage you to visit the following Coast Guard website to find answers:

https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/budget.  We will update the site continually as it contains many "Frequently Asked Questions", which I believe you may find helpful. 

As a Retiree, you answered the call to protect America, defended our Nation's prosperity, and earned the continued trust and confidence of this Nation.  Thank you for your Service and Devotion to Duty as part of the Long Blue line. 

Semper Paratus, 

Admiral Charles W. Ray

Vice Commandant

DUES PAYMENT BY CREDIT CARD IS AVAILABLE ON THIS PAGE!

SMALL STORES PAYMENTS BY CREDIT CARD ARE AVAILABLE ON THE SMALL STORES PAGE!!!!

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.