PORT ANGELES — The Coast Guard began its watch in Port Angeles 139 years ago Wednesday, and it hasn’t left since.
That persistence was celebrated by city and civic leaders at a luncheon that also recognized outstanding members of the North Olympic Peninsula’s Coast Guard contingent.
About 60 members of the Port Angeles Rotary Club and their guests, assembled at the Port Angeles CrabHouse restaurant, watched as Mayor Larry Doyle gave Capt. Bill Peterson, commanding officer of the Port Angeles Coast Guard Group, a proclamation and ceremonial key to the city.
One of the most visible components — the 210-foot cutter Active docked at City Pier — will hold a change of command today at 10:30 a.m. Cmdr. John F. Prince will relieve Capt. Robert E. Reininger as commanding officer.
But on Coast Guard Day, all ships and stations on the North Olympic Peninsula were represented by enlisted personnel recognized as “outstanding” by Peterson and his officers.
They were:
* Cutter Active (Port Angeles): Petty Officer 1st Class Howard Blair.
* Cutter Osprey (Port Townsend): Seaman Terri Jo Pierce.
* Air Station Port Angeles: Airman Brook Cole and Airman Scott Maret.
* Station Neah Bay: Petty Officer 2nd Class Hector L. Ruiz and Fireman Apprentice Keith Hamilton.
* Station Quillayute River: Petty Officer 3rd Class Adam L. Dever and Seaman David McGuiver.
* Group Port Angeles: Petty Officer 1st Class Melanee J. Fransen and Petty Officer 3rd Class Melissa R. Martens.
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