I arrived at the Coast Guard base about 7:45a and was immediately asked if anyone told me to pack my lunch (of course they didn’t!) and informed that it was going to be a ”long day”. After a quick stop at the exchange where I purchased enough snacks to get me through the day, I met the Commander (CDR Bruyere) and Co-pilot (Lt. Davis) of my flight. We boarded the HC-130J Hercules aircraft, and after a few routine checks, we were on our way. The flight began about 9am and we started heading south towards Wilmington, NC. 

Our "ride" for the day!

Once we arrived in the Wilmington area and positioned ourselves about 100 miles of the coast, AMT2 Brandon Kelly began transmitting the Urgent Marine Information Broadcast every 15 minutes on VHF-FM channel 16, the marine band radio emergency channel.  The warning stated that Tropical Storm Danny was about 24 hours away from the East Coast of the United States and included wind speeds, direction and speed at which TS Danny was traveling.     

My view from the flight deck/cockpit!

From Wilmington we headed straight up the East Coast to New York. When we arrived in New York, I thought to myself that this flight was a “piece of cake.” Little did I know that we were only HALFWAY through our SEVEN (yes 7!) hour flight and that we still had to go all the way back down to Wilmington. Now, one would think that being in a plane that big, motion sickness, dizziness and headaches wouldn’t be a problem… well think again! After 5 hours of being in flight(and flying through numerous thunderstorms), motion sickness got the best of me (no I didn’t get sick [THANK GOODNESS], but I did have a MASSIVE headache). When I told the crew members what was wrong, they assured me that if I put on the oxygen mask then it would solve most, if not all, of my problems, boy were they right! (I guess these guys haven’t been in the Coast Guard this long without learning a few “tricks of the trade”!)

Nice mask, huh?!?!?

In all, we didn’t see many boats on the water (only about 15 along the East Coast). The Coast Guard feels like their mission was a success. Commander Bruyere stated that he was happy that most of the mariners took the precautions necessary for the upcoming storm and stayed off the water for the day.

We landed back at the Elizabeth City Coast Guard base around 4pm on Friday afternoon. During my 45 minute drive back to the station, I couldn’t help but think that a 7 hour flight would have me halfway to Europe or already on the West Coast of the United States (and laying on the beach) or almost in Hawaii.  BUT I figured I can’t complain too much, but home wasn’t such a bad place to land!  (Let’s be honest, by that time, I was just happy to be on the ground!)

The crew of flight 2001 was wonderful. CDR Bruyere and Lt. Davis, were very hospitable and great in answering all of my questions. The guys in the crew made sure that I understood what was going on and took time to explain everything to me! I can’t thank them enough for their warm welcome… they even let me check out the view from the co-pilot’s chair (actually I snuck in while he was “stretching his legs”!!!!)

I got to sit in Lt. Davis' seat!

Thanks guys!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Suffolk Education Foundation awarded a grant for the materials to make the knit caps.

The Kings Fork Middle schoolers are going to mail them on Friday, March 20.  What a great way to say thank you to the men and women in the Armed Forces working so hard to keep us all safe!

Thank you Ms. Addair, Ms. English, and “Mommy” (Ms. Livas) for sending us this story!

http://www.spsk12.net/schools/kfms/index.htm

Norfolk’s International Azalea Festival is gearing up for a week long schedule of events from April 27 to May 3.  This will be the 56th International NATO Azalea Festival. This year celebrates the Czech Republic and  Representing her country and serving as queen of the festival is Captain Magdalena Dvorakova.

Magdalena Dvorakova

Magda is a resident of Prague, Czech Republic, and currently works in the Military Office of Mr. Vaclav Klaus, the President of the Czech Republic. Her military career also has taken her abroad to Kosovo, and to Texas, Michigan, Missouri and Maryland for training.

At age 17, Magda left home for a year to be a  foreign exchange student in Lake Mills, Wisconsin. She later graduated from the Military University of Ground Forces in Vyskov, Czech Republic.

Captain Dvorakova is the second active duty Queen in the history of the Festival, following in the steps of Captain Mariola Kasemier, a Royal Netherlands army officer, who served as Queen in 2008. A film about Captain Kasemier, produced for the 2008 Azalea Festival, later won the International Military Film Festival in Barriciano, Italy.

While on her first visit to Norfolk last week, Captain Dvorakova visited St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children and met with all of the Historic Norfolk Unit Troops from the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast.

I had the pleasure of meeting her at a special reception at the Chrysler Museum.

Join us April 27 – May 3 when Captain Magdalena Dvorakova, Queen Azalea LVI, returns to Norfolk for Festival Week.

Visit http://azaleafestival.org/events.asp for a complete list of events.

I was taking part in the blogging and tweeting on Facebook and Twitter and now here on www.wavy.com.   It was nice to see the t.v. networks and local stations show so many different sides of this story.  It was great to see civil rights heroes and former political leaders arrive in the V.I.P. section.   It was rude to hear how some people greeted President Bush as he walked out into the inaugural celebration.  You’d think if people went through all of the trouble to make the trip to Washington and beat the crowds, they would behave a little bit better. It’s tough to cover politics as a journalist and not have someone accuse you of being liberal or unbalanced and biased.   I purposely try to  present the issues and the facts.

I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I wish my grandparents, my godfather, and other relatives who have passed on could have witnessed this day in history.  Mainly because of the stories they told me about the hardship they faced- just because the color of their skin.  I’m sure they hoped for, but weren’t certain we’d ever have a President with African ancestry this soon.   In honor of my family members  who have gone before me- both black and non-black,  I am hopeful people will continue to move forward and work hand in hand with the same enthusiasm they’ve had over the past year.  No matter what your race, gender, or political affiliation is- this is the perfect opportunity to reflect on our past, our present and our future.  Take advantage of it!