Making Tracks
By Kat Bryant
This was a memorable weekend for me. For my very first Blessing of the Fleet, I was honored to receive an invitation to ride along on the Coast Guard vessel that led the Parade of Boats.
We had a crew of four: BMC Brant Soderlund as coxswain, the officer in charge of the boat; the station commander, CWO Cheston Evans; and MK3s Nicholas Samano and Joe Dickson. Also joining us were Evans’ wife, Brandy, and his young stepson, Aiden; and Soderlund’s wife, Julie. I was fitted with a bright orange Coast Guard jacket with flotation devices built into it, and we all walked out to the dock.
The boat was tighter quarters than I expected. There was some discussion of logistical placement for me, Brandy and Julie, who also planned to take photos of the ceremony. With Samano and Dickson set to lay the wreath on the port side upon orders given by Evans from the stern, it was decided that we three should situate ourselves on the bow for the best camera angles.
And what a view it was! About a dozen vessels participated in the procession, including our Sea Scout boat, the river tug Lisa; the Tradition, all the way from Chignik, Alaska; and local charter boat Ranger, with Don Davenport at the helm. (I could almost feel him shaking his head at me for standing on the bow, which is how I injured my knee on his boat in April. But hey, the skipper said it was OK this time, and the water was calm where we were.)
On shore, a horde of people gathered at the Fishermen’s Memorial to witness the ceremony. Performing color guard duties there were SN Joshua Cardin, SA Aidan McCann, FA Shaad Atnip and SN Kyle Gomes. MK2 Louis Ciccoli handled shoreside communications so the boats could coordinate their activities with those on land.
When the moment came, the ornate wreath — roses, daisies, mums, geraniums and more, all in bright red, white and yellow — was brought up on deck. It met the water with nary a ripple, placed gently and respectfully by Samano and Dickson. They stood and saluted along with Evans as it drifted away, and the bugler on shore played Taps. The Coast Guard vessel then backed off so the others could approach and pay tribute to those lost at sea.
It was a lovely ceremony, and I was humbled to witness it up close.
It was also Evans’ first one as commander of U.S. Coast Guard Station Grays Harbor. He said it was his honor and privilege to perform such services for the community.
He also added a solemn note of caution to the Harbor’s boaters: “As we take time to reflect on those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for us, it is also a time to reflect on how to be as safe as we possibly can.”
He emphasized the importance of wearing life vests (even for strong swimmers), checking expiration dates on emergency flares, and — perhaps most important — letting folks on shore know where you’re headed and when you expect to be back.
“Make sure to have a float plan filed with family and friends,” he said, “so that we as the Coast Guard will have the best possible chances of finding or saving those that are in peril.”
So, as the summer season officially begins, let’s certainly have some fun — but first, do what’s necessary to ensure next year’s wreath won’t be laid in your memory.
(And for Don, I know I have to add: Sit down in rough seas!)
Kat Bryant is lifestyle editor of The Daily World. Reach her at kbryant@thedailyworld.com or on Facebook at Kat Bryant-DailyWorld.
Photo courtesy Brandy Evans A crowd gathered at the Fishermen’s Memorial in Westport to witness the ceremony.
CWO Cheston Evans gives instructions to Nicholas Samano and Joe Dickson before getting underway.
Photos by Kat Bryant | The Daily World The Sea Scouts’ river tug, Lisa, was right behind the Coast Guard vessel in the Parade of Boats.
U.S. Coast Guard Machinery Technicians Nicholas Samano and Joe Dickson lay a wreath in the water just outside Westport in memory of those lost at sea. The ceremony was part of Sunday’s Blessing of the Fleet.
Ed Welter waves from the Fish and Wildlife Police boat to CWO Cheston Evans and his young stepson, Aiden. (Photo by Kat Bryant | The Daily World)