The 2025 Windjammer Days will shine a spotlight on the dedicated individuals who have served, are serving, or are preparing to serve in one of the most respected branches of the U.S. military: the Coast Guard. From active-duty members and retired veterans to the bright future leaders currently enrolled at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, we’ll explore their personal stories, their contributions to the community, and the impact they've made on the nation's maritime security. The 63rd annual Boothbay Harbor Windjammer Days will take place on Sunday, June 22 through Saturday, June 28. Please visit boothbayharborwindjammerdays.org for the full schedule of events.

My good friend Andrew likes to tease when he asks, "Where in the Coast Guard manual does it tell you what to do when you report to your first duty station, and they tell you they have already filled your position and there’s no more room for you on the boat?"

That's what happened to me in June of 1994 when I reported from basic training in Cape May, New Jersey to the Coast Guard Cutter Shackle in South Portland, Maine. I proudly strode down the cement pier in my service dress blue(bravos) uniform towards the black 65-foot tugboat, respectfully called aboard, and identified myself as Seaman Recruit Blethen reporting as ordered. The Officer in Charge,aChief Boatswain’s Mate, leaned out of the pilot house and informed me that my billet had already been filled. Andrew likes to envision me feverishly thumbing through my manual to quickly determine what my next course of action should be. Thankfully, the Chief gave me some good advice that included going up to the Yeomans’ office and checking in with them. 

What the heck am I going to do now, I thought to myself. When I arrived at the administrative office I met up with a Senior Chief Yeoman. He and I hit it off and talked about sports for 10 or 15 minutes. I explained my situation to him. He then laid out a couple of options which included either washing dishes at the base in South Portland until another billet opened or going up to the small boat station in Boothbay Harbor and becoming a crew member there. I had spent my fair share of time in kitchens during my summer jobs growing up and so doing some search and rescue and some law enforcement on small boats in Boothbay Harbor sounded much more appealing to this new boot. Boot is what you would call new people reporting fresh out of basic training. 

It was a fateful turn of events that led me to Boothbay Harbor, Maine. I became qualified as a boat crew member, an EMT, and a law enforcement boarding team member. I was also promoted to Machinery Technician 3rd Class. During my off time, I worked as a substitute teacher at the elementary school and the high school. I was also invitedto volunteer as an assistant coach with the high school football team. This then led to an opportunity to volunteer with the boys high school basketball team. 

Then one fateful January evening Iattended a birthday party for one of the high school football coaches and the assistant volunteer coach for the girls high school basketball team was also at the party. She and I began to talk and get to know one another and the rest is history. The girls varsity volunteer assistant coach and the boys varsity volunteer assistant coach have now been married for 28 years and counting. 

I served two years active duty in Boothbay Harbor and then another two years active duty in San Francisco, California. After four years of active duty, I decided to join the reserve ranks and finish my undergraduate degree at the University of Southern Maine. Lesley and I returned to Boothbay Harbor and startedcoaching girls youth basketball at the YMCA. I went on to serve 17 years in the Coast Guard Reserves and retired as a Machinery Technician 1st Class.

During my time in the Coast Guard, I made many lifelong friends andlearned many valuable skills and lessons. Some of these skills included becoming an EMT, a boarding officer, a diesel mechanic, and the most rewarding of all as a coxswain. I enjoyed navigating and driving boats and I enjoyed training crew members even more. I especially enjoyed taking young people on our boats, sharing the mission of the Coast Guard with them, and then teaching them how to drive our boats. There was one time when we were taking family members out after a Change of Commandceremony, and I asked a 10-year-old girl if she wanted to put our 47-foot motor lifeboat in the boathouse. She looked at me with big eyes and her parents looked very concerned. It was a great moment when she was able to follow directions, work the boats throttles, port and starboard, and maneuvered the 47 into the boathouse without any trouble. 

I think our daughters Faith and Glory saw how much I enjoyed serving our country andour community. I also believe it is one of the reasonsour youngest daughter Glory decided to attend the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut and will graduate this May. My wife Lesley also served in the U.S. Army, and I know that has also inspired both of our daughters.

It's a unique opportunity to serve your country and one that should not be taken for granted. I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve in the United States Coast Guard, and I am even more thankful for the day I reported to the base in South Portland and was invited to go to Boothbay Harbor.