CAPE MAY, N.J. – The Coast Guard released a cadence Wednesday dedicated to the wife of a Coast Guardsman killed in counter smuggling operations off the California coast last year.
The marching cadence entitled “Oh Dear Rachel” chronicles that last living moments of Senior Chief Petty Officer Terrell Horne and is dedicated to his wife Rachel who now resides in Charleston, S.C. The cadence will be released along with four other finalists as part of Coast Guard Cadence Contest 2013, which solicits original marching cadences from across the service and allows the public to pick their favorite by “liking” them on Facebook and YouTube.
“This cadence isn’t just about remembering the sacrifice Senior Chief Horne Made that day; it’s about remembering the sacrifice his family made and ensuring we never forget the price that was paid to protect our Nation,” said Capt. Todd Prestidge, the commanding officer of Training Center Cape May.
“Oh Dear Rachel” was written by staff from Training Center Cape May as tribute to help future Coast Guardsmen learn about the events leading up to the death of Horne who is heralded as a hero at the unit. The cadence written from Horne’s perspective is also aimed at emphasizing those who are left behind when a Coast Guard hero is born.
“We hope Mrs. Horne knows that the entire Coast Guard, and future generations of Coast Guardsmen, will always be there to support her and her family,” said Capt. Prestidge. “Senior Chief Horne lives on in the hearts and minds of Coast Guardsmen everywhere.”
Horned was killed when he and a three-person law enforcement team aboard a small boat from the Coast Guard Cutter Halibut were allegedly rammed by two suspected smugglers Dec. 2, 2012. The propeller of the 30-foot vessel struck Horne in the head as he pushed one of his shipmates out of the suspected smuggling vessel’s path.
The Coast Guard will release the Top 5 Cadences throughout the week of Sept. 23, and the public will be given the opportunity to vote on their favorite cadence by “liking” it on Facebook and YouTube. The Top Coast Guard Cadence of 2013 will be announced the week of Oct. 14.
Training Center Cape May prepares more than 80 percent of the Coast Guard’s entire workforce to conduct the service’s frontline missions around the world. The Coast Guard is among the most selective and recruits the most qualified applicants of the five armed services. This rigorous training program educates future Coast Guardsmen in everything from basic water survival to marksmanship, and many graduates will be conducting Coast Guard missions just days after basic training.
Media can download “Oh Dear Rachel” at http://www.dvidshub.net/unit/uscg-tccm.
Please click on the following links to download photos of Rachel Horne, Senior Chief Petty Officer Horne, and Petty Officer Langton.
http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=1868529
http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_itemId=1838732
http://www.dvidshub.net/image/987895/senior-chief-petty-officer-horne-iii-memorial#.UkLDihb3Vbw