Photo By Lt. Pamela Manns | The Coast Guard Reserve celebrates 75 years of service to the nation, Feb. 19, 2016.... read more read more
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WASHINGTON - The Coast Guard Reserve, with its 7,000 members, is a critical component to national security, according to the Coast Guard’s director of reserve and military personnel.
After the terrorist-hijacked planes hit the World Trade Center buildings in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, Coast Guard reservist Marguerite DeMartino rushed out of her civilian workplace and headed to the Coast Guard office not far from Ground Zero.
“I actually worked in downtown Manhattan, right across the street from the World Trade Center and when it happened, of course we had to evacuate,” the senior chief petty officer recalled.
DeMartino, now the senior enlisted reserve rating force program manager for the public affairs rate, wanted to see how she could support Coast Guard efforts.
From her apartment in Staten Island, she could see the “glowing fires in downtown Manhattan in the night,” the Brooklyn, New York, native said.
Everyone was in shock, she remembered. “I was numb. I’d wake up in the morning and I’d just say, ‘Did this really happen?’”
DeMartino, who was activated Sept. 12, 2001, was among the thousands of Coast Guard reservists called up for duty following the Sept. 11 attacks.
Just as they did after 9/11, USCG reservists have served in every major conflict or crisis the nation has faced for the past 75 years, according to Rear Adm. Kurt B. Hinrichs, the Coast Guard’s director of reserve and military personnel.
Dedicated Service to the Nation
DeMartino, who has been in the Coast Guard Reserve for more than a quarter century, said it has been a fulfilling experience to serve her community and nation.
“I lived my dream,” she said.
She is among the 7,000 members of the reserve force, which includes a variety of rates such as boatswain’s mate, food service specialist, gunner’s mate, health service technician and marine science technician.
Since the creation of the force with the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Reserve Act of Feb. 19, 1941, the reserve's mission has remained deeply rooted in national defense, Hinrichs said. More than 200,000 reservists served in World War II.
Reserve-staffed Port Security Units have deployed to Haiti and the Middle East, and continue to support maritime security efforts with Joint Task Force Guantanamo.
About half of the reserve force deployed after 9/11 for homeland security missions, Hinrichs said. Reservists served from 2002 to 2014 on teams that worked with U.S. Army personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan to inspect shipping containers, he noted.
“The Coast Guard Reserve could not be the ready, reliable surge force on which the nation relies if not for the hard work and dedication of each and every one of its 7,000 members,” he said.
“In turn, they could not continue to answer the call if not for the unwavering support of both their families and their employers,” he added.
Senior Reserve Enlisted View
The highest-ranking enlisted reserve member, Coast Guard Reserve Force Master Chief Eric Johnson, said he is continually impressed with the highly skilled force.
Reservists strengthen the Coast Guard with their dedication, commitment, valuable outside experience and diversity of thought, Johnson said. Reservists and their families make many sacrifices to serve the nation, he said.
“I am thankful for everything they do and the way they do it,” he said. “The excitement and energy that they put into being members of the Coast Guard Reserve, it’s always a pleasure to see it.”
Happy Birthday, Coast Guard Reserve!
| Date Taken: | 02.19.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 02.19.2016 16:15 |
| Story ID: | 189399 |
| Location: | DC, US |
| Hometown: | BROOKLYN, NY, US |
| Hometown: | STATEN ISLAND, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 65 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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