SEATTLE – The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Midgett, a 378-foot cutter stationed in Seattle, hosted a group of Naval Sea Cadets, based in Tacoma, Wash., and held a burial-at-sea ceremony honoring the lives of two retired Coast Guardsmen during its five-day transit from Seattle to San Diego, which ended Friday.
The six Naval Sea Cadets, of the Tacoma Hornet Division, were invited to sail aboard the Midgett and hone their underway seamanship skills during the ship’s voyage. The cadets, ranging in age from 14- to 16-years-old, also took part in damage control, weapons and machinery training.
“It’s an opportunity for us to get them excited about underway life and the experiences that the Coast Guard can provide them,” said Lt. j.g. Sean M. Dolbow, a deck-watch officer aboard the Midgett.
“They’ve never been underway before so this was a great experience for them,” said retired Navy Warrant Officer Roger P. Olsen, the cadets’ instructor.
“It was cool, we learned a lot,” said Naval Sea Cadet Petty Officer 3rd Class Sam L. Kruse. “The experience alone was well worth it.”
The cadets were also present for two burials-at-sea during a ceremony on the cutter’s flight deck just before sunset, Thursday. The ceremony honored Evereste A. Black, a retired Coast Guard Senior Chief Petty Officer, and Keith V. Crump, a Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class and WWII veteran.
The service featured readings from three of the ship’s crewmembers, including a benediction from Cmdr. Daniel Pickles, the Midgett’s executive officer, and a 21-gun salute.
“It’s a really meaningful way to honor our veterans, said Stephen P. Fainer, a deck-watch officer and ceremonial coordinator aboard the Midgett. “ This ceremony is symbolic of memorializing our return to nature,” Fainer said.
Black’s son, Bradley Jay Black, a retired Senior Chief Petty Officer, was present and acted as the urn bearer for his father. The ceremony concluded as the last note of taps played and the Midgett regained its course and speed, en route toward San Diego.
