ALCOAST 417/24 - NOV 2024 WINNERS OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CUTTERMAN INSIGNIA/EIGHT BELLS - A SEA SERVICE CELEBRATION WRITING AND VIDEO CONTESTS

R 051425Z NOV 24   MID120001508476U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 417/24
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: WINNERS OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CUTTERMAN
INSIGNIA/EIGHT BELLS - A SEA SERVICE CELEBRATION
WRITING AND VIDEO CONTESTS
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 041048Z SEP 24/ALCOAST 342/24
1. 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the creation of the
Cutterman Insignia. The Coast Guard Office of Cutter Forces
(CG-751), the Heart of the Service, sponsored an Eight Bells
- Sea Service Celebration to recognize the hard work done by
all who serve in the cutter community, including career cuttermen,
cuttermen-to-be, and the thousands of shoreside personnel who
support Coast Guard cutters. Our seagoing traditions serve as
the basis of our Coast Guard culture and unite the cutter
community. On October 18th, cutters and cuttermen throughout
the fleet paused operations and took time to reflect on the
traditions and routines that have bound the afloat community
together for over 234 years and driven countless Coast Guard
men and women to devote their careers to serving at sea. As
part of the celebration, COMDT (CG-751) hosted an essay/poem/story
and audio/video contest.
2. Congratulations to the following winners of the 2024 Eight
Bells Essay Contest:
    a. First Place - BMC Stuart Bangs, CGC Wire
    b. Second Place - OSCS Michael Weelmaa, CGC Stratton
    c. Third Place - LT Victor Alma, Gulf Regional Fisheries
Training Center
3. Congratulations to the following winners of the 2024 Eight
Bells Poem Contest:
    a. First Place - GMC Brian Glynn, CGIS
    b. Second Place - LCDR Rachel Quatroche, COMDT (CG-771)
    c. Third Place - ENS Sofia Scott, CGC Polar Star
4. Congratulations to the following winners of the 2024 Eight
Bells Story Contest:
    a. First Place - MK1 Brian Giunta, Sector Columbia River
    b. Second Place - CDR Ian Starr, CGC Resolute
    c. Third Place - DC1 John Westbrook, CGC Healy
5. Congratulations to the following winners of the 2024 Eight
Bells Video Contest:
    a. First Place - CGC Mohawk
    b. Second Place - CGC Hamilton
    c. Third Place - CGC William Hart
6. Entries for the Eight Bells Contest are posted on the
COMDT (CG-751) SharePoint page at:
(Copy and Paste URL below into Browser)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/cg751/8%20Bells/Forms/
AllItems.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2Fcg751%2F8%20Bells%2F8%20Bells%
2050th%20Anniversary%202024&viewid=c6a5af80%2De80b%2D478f%2
D839a%2D0808436d0ae0

7. On October 17th, 2024, COMDT (CG-751) hosted a 50th Anniversary
of the Cutterman Insignia/Eight Bells Celebration event at CG
Headquarters with the Gold and Silver Ancient Mariners and
CWO2 Jane Sandy, Commanding Officer of CGC Barbara Mabrity,
as guest speakers.
    a. A recording of the event is posted on the COMDT (CG-751)
SharePoint page at:
(Copy and Paste URL below into Browser)

https://uscg.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/cg751/8%20Bells/Forms/
AllItems.aspx?id=%2Fsites%2Fcg751%2F8%20Bells%2F8%20Bells%
2050th%20Anniversary%202024&viewid=c6a5af80%2De80b%2D478f%2
D839a%2D0808436d0ae0

8. POCs: Primary: LT Kiana Kekoa, Kiana.T.Kekoa@uscg.mil
Secondary: LCDR Keith Nicholson, Keith.Nicholson@uscg.mil.
9. RADM Shannon Gilreath, Assistant Commandant for Capability
(CG-7), sends.
10. Internet release is authorized.