CAPITAL AREA COAST GUARD RETIREE COUNCIL

NEWSLETTER

March 2026

SERVICE CONTINUES

The Capital Area CG Retiree Council (CACGRC) Newsletter is sent via GovDelivery to USCG, USPHS, and NOAA Retirees & Annuitants residing in Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and District of Columbia.  

The CACGRC Newsletter will normally be distributed the first week of each month, with additional notices as needed, in alignment with the Council's mission to provide a communications link between the CG active duty and retiree community and to keep retirees abreast of available benefits, special events, and other items of interest, including the latest happenings in the Coast Guard.  Please provide your feedback, including suggested items for publication, and/or requests to be removed from the mailing list to:

• CAPT David Bernstein, USCG (Ret), CACGRC Co-Chair and Newsletter Editor, at dberns01@gmail.com  
• Bob Hinds, CG Retiree Services (CG-1335), USCG (Ret), CACGRC Member and Assistant Newsletter Editor at Robert.C.Hinds@uscg.mil 

FUNERAL NOTICES

(You may send area retiree & annuitant obituaries/funeral notices to Robert.C.Hinds@uscg.mil)

Crossing the Bar: Remembering Shipmates We Have Lost   https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=070-17-09&category=in-memorium

Crossing the Bar, a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson, compares death to crossing the "sandbar" between the river of life and the "boundless deep" to which we return.

ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY FUNERAL NOTICES 

All individuals over the age of 18 who are authorized to drive onto Arlington National Cemetery in a vehicle should be prepared to present a REAL ID at the security checkpoint. REAL ID-compliant forms of identification will have of one of the following markings on the upper top portion of the card. If the card does not have one of these markings, it is not REAL ID-compliant and will not/may not be accepted as proof of identity:

1 Memorial Drive, Arlington, VA.  Administration Building.  All attendees are requested to arrive between TWO HOURS and no later than 45 MINUTES prior to the scheduled service time at the Main Entrance on Memorial Avenue. The security guards at the Main Entrance will direct you to wait along Memorial Ave until a staff member leads the procession to the funeral location. All attendees must have their own transportation or ride with another attendee and anyone over the age of 16 years of age must have a valid photo ID. Uniform for Active-Duty Coast Guard members is Service Dress Blue with Combo Cover.

• Funeral for MADELINE DIONISIO, WIFE OF YNCM RICCARDO DIONISIO, USCG (RET), Monday, March 9, 2026, 2:00 PM

Madeline Dionisio Obituary (2025) - Washington, DC - The Washington Post

• Funeral for CAPT BRENDAN KELLY, USCG (RET), Thursday, March 19, 2026, 1:00 PM

Brendan Dunnigan Kelly - The Suffolk Times

• Funeral for SK1 DONALD STOUT, USCG (RET), AND HIS WIFE ERNISTINE STOUT, Friday, March 20, 2026, 1:00 PM
• Funeral for CAPT WILLIAM BEHAN, USCG (RET), AND HIS WIFE KATHERINE BEHAN, Monday, March 23. 2026, 11:00 AM
• Funeral for LCDR DAVID ORSZAK, USCG (RET), Thursday, March 31, 2026, 3:00 PM 

CG MILITARY PERSONNEL ESTATE PLANNING & FINAL AFFAIRS HANDBOOK

TRAGEDY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SURVIVORS (TAPS)

• Mission of TAPS
• TAPS Online Community
• Regional Seminars and Good Grief Camp
• National Seminar and Good Grief Camp
• National Suicide Seminar and Good Grief Camp 

 

Vets to VA: Formally rescind new disability ratings rule

MOAA - MOAA: VA Must Rescind, Not Just ‘Halt,’ New Rule

 

https://www.mycg.uscg.mil/

Feb. 18, 2026

Government funding lapse

Coast Guard continues critical operations while non-essential activities pause.

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Feb. 18, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions about the 2026 funding lapse

Guidance for the Coast Guard workforce and their families during the 2026 lapse in federal appropriations.

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Feb. 18, 2026

Where can I find financial resources during a shutdown?

These resources can help you with financial concerns you might face during the lapse in federal appropriations.

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Feb. 18, 2026

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance ready to support Coast Guard families during government shutdown

CGMA is ready to provide interest-free loans to cover essential expenses such as rent, insurance, childcare, and food.

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Feb. 13, 2026

Kimball—Second most important civilian in Coast Guard history!

Through his remarkable 53-year career in federal service, Sumner Kimball shaped the modern U.S. Coast Guard, leaving a lasting legacy.

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Feb. 11, 2026

Increasing Awareness of the Coast Guard, its Missions, and Career Opportunities

 Partnerships in Education (PIE) Program recognizes winners of 2025 PIE Awards.

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Feb. 11, 2026

USS Serpens—Coast Guard’s worst loss of life over 80 years ago

A vital supply line in the Pacific, the USS Serpens was destroyed in one of the largest disasters in U.S. Coast Guard history.

General Messages

• ALCOAST 063/26 - FEB 2026 COAST GUARD CHIEF PETTY OFFICERS ASSOCIATION (CPOA) 57TH NATIONAL CONVENTION AND COAST GUARD ENLISTED ASSOCIATION (CGEA) 25TH NATIONAL CONVENTION
• ALCOAST 062/26 - FEB 2026 EIGHTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COAST GUARD RESERVE
• ALCGRSV 004/26 - RESERVE CAPTAIN AND COMMANDER ASSIGNMENT YEAR 2026 (AY26) TIMELINE UPDATE ‐ ONE

United States Coast Guard News > Press Releases (uscg.mil)

Governors Island 30-year Reunion link..

https://ticketbud.com/events/ca29e404-91c7-11f0-b736-42010a7170c7

Our committee is requesting you share the event within your networks to help ensure widespread participation.  Thank you and hope you can make the reunion next year. Semper Paratus!!

POCs: Leon G. Patterson, SCPO (Ret) lgpatterson37@gmail.com or Susan Chaney gibrathomecoming@gmail.com

 Coast Guard Foundation | Homepage 

MOAA - MOAA Home Page

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN MORE THAN 350,000 VOICES SPEAK AS ONE?

The Military Coalition - Home

https://www.roa.org/

Military and Veteran Benefits, News, Veteran Jobs | Military.com  

https://www.defensenews.com/

Early Bird Brief - Top military, defense and national security ... https://www.defensenews.com/ebb/

Retiree & Annuitant Services (RAS) - https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/ras/

PPC Customer Care: 866-772-8724, E-Mail ppc-dg-customercare@uscg.mil

CG Direct Access (DA) Self-Service:  https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/ppc/ras/gp/

CG Retiree Services Program www.dcms.uscg.mil/retiree