ALCOAST 434/22 - OCT 2022 WINNER OF THE 2022 EIGHT BELLS - A SEA SERVICE CELEBRATION

R 311616Z OCT 22   MID200080406618U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 434/22
SSIC 1710
SUBJ: WINNER OF THE 2022 EIGHT BELLS - A SEA SERVICE CELEBRATION
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 201220Z SEP 22/ALCOAST 348/22
1. Congratulations to OSC Melissa Mathis for being selected as the
Eight Bells Poem Competition winner with her poem submission "USCGC
WAESCHE's Dance with Fire"! OSC Mathis serves as the CIC
Supervisor aboard USCGC WAESCHE, homeported in Alameda, CA. OSC
Mathis' poem spoke on the experiences and feelings of CGC WAESCHE
crew members following the damage control efforts to combat a
fire onboard on 20 September 2020.
2. Congratulations to CWO John O'Brien for being selected as the
Eight Bells Essay Competition winner with his submission "Four to
Greats"! CWO O'Brien serves as the Main Propulsion Assistant
aboard USCGC BERTHOLF, homeported in Alameda, CA. CWO O'Brien's
essay spoke of the human aspects of standing the underway watch
in the engine room and the excitement of a new day at sea.
3. Eight Bells - A Sea Service Celebration is intended to recognize
the hard work done by everyone who serves on a cutter, including
career cuttermen, cuttermen-to-be, and those who support cutters.
On October 18th, cutters throughout the fleet paused operations and
took time to reflect on the traditions and routines that have
bound the afloat community together for over 232 years and driven
so many to devote their careers to serving afloat. Fifteen
submissions were received. The winning entries have been posted
to the COMDT (CG-751) portal page at:
(Copy and Paste the URL Below into Browser)

https://cglink.uscg.mil/8Bells2022

4. POCs: LT Matt Statkus: Matthew.R.Statkus@uscg.mil and LTJG Brynne
Domingo: Athina.B.Domingo@uscg.mil.
5. RADM Todd C. Wiemers, Assistant Commandant for Capability,
(CG-7) sends.
6. Internet release is authorized.