COAST GUARD OPEN HOUSE

This weekend marked the beginning of week long Alaska Day celebrations here

in town.

Alaska Day is a legal holiday in the U.S. state of Alaska, observed on October 18.
It is the anniversary of the formal transfer of the Territory of Alaska from Russia
to the United States which took place at a flag-raising ceremony at Fort Sitka on
October 18, 1867.

Alaska Day is legally observed statewide, and is a paid holiday for State of Alaska
employees. The official celebration is held here in Sitka, where schools release
students early, many businesses close for the day, and events such as a parade
and reenactment of the flag raising are held.

Although the territory was sold to the U.S. in March, it was not until the 18th of
October that year that the Commissioners arrived in Sitka and the formal transfer
was arranged. The original ceremony included 250 uniformed U.S. soldiers, who
marched to the Governor's house in Sitka at "Castle Hill", where the transfer was
made. It was here that the Russian troops lowered the Russian flag and the U.S.
flag was raised.

Our Coast Guard base had their open house this weekend and we were able to
go inside the helicopters, rescue boats and fire engines. If you have never been
in the pilot's seat of a Jayhawk helicopter, you don't have any idea what you are
missing! The sheer number of control panels is nothing short of amazing and 

when you realize how little room they have in back not just for themselves, but 

also the people they are rescuing it really makes you appreciate the intensity of 

their work.

My older daughter getting the low down on what it's really like to fly one of these.

She is seriously considering a career in the Coast Guard, so she asked for a 2 hour

lunchbreak from work Saturday in order to attend this event.

They were so nice to us, answering dozens of questions and smiling the whole time. 

They didn't even get mad when some kids spilled popcorn inside the helicopter!

My daughter with 2 rescue swimmers. I asked them if they get cold out there 

and they said yes (a-ha! I knew it!) I watched a rescue demonstration last year 

from the bridge and I thought I was going to die just from the from the cold 

wind that came off the rotor wash.

 

They also said sometimes people use the zipper you see in the back of the 

orange suit to....ahem...use the toilet, and forget to zip it back up. Next 

person uses the suit and before you know it your legs are icy cold and 

soaking wet to the knees.

I asked, Well what then? They said you just keep on going.  BRRRRR.

Poor Dummy. That's how I feel in the morning.

Sorry--just had to add this. I like bumper stickers almost as much as signs. 

 

Tonight is the Archangel Dancers performance--can't wait!