Most of our regulars know that Sean Thompson is in the US Coast Guard. On July 14, I had the privilege of attending the Change of Command Ceremony in San Diego at which he was replaced as Officer in Charge of the USCG Aids to Navigation Team San Diego after almost 2 years of service.

Sean is due to retire after 20 years of service in the USCG in December.

Congratulations and best wishes to Sean and Liz Thompson.

[This message has been edited by JChidester (edited 08-18-2000).]

I too would like to say Congratulations to Sean and Liz. Thanks for your long service to the Coast Guard and to all that you have done for the collectors at this website.
Jim
Johnson

Congratulations Sean and Liz!

Nice report John, I am sure that Sean appreciates your efforts as well as your friendship!

SaintWackoPaul '
Keep the Flame

Sean... congratulations on your change of command, and coming retirement. Through experience, I know this will be a major change in both yours and Liz's life. The days when you heard, "trice up all racks, extinguish the smoking lamp, and set the sea watch" will be nothing but memories. Keep them close to you! Jackie and I wish for you and Liz, calm winds and following seas.

Tim - Retired Coastie and loving it!

JC... thank you for the photos of Sean's change of command ceremony. They bring back some very fond memories.

Sean... Do you have a shadow box for those metals yet? You will need something to put that commendation medal in as I did. Eight years after I retired, Jackie contacted a company in South Carolina and had them place my various awards in a shadow box. Let me know, and I'll put you in touch with them. They did a very fine job.

Tim - Keeping the flame lit...


[This message has been edited by Torchbearer (edited 07-19-2000).]

Sean, wishing you and your family a very happy retirement. Take it from me & my husband Terry, retirement is wonderful.



Ruthie

Just to clarify - the photos are from Sean's Change of Command Ceremony. He is still on Active Duty and not retiring until December. Once his USCG Coast Guard career is over, he'll be on to a second career of some sort.

As a VERY OLD TV Commercial for the USNavy used to go...

"Say young fella, Navy's got news for you..."

"...and when you retire, you'll only be thirty-eight."

Guess this thread needs to be continued over in the 'Nothing to do with anything' Forum under the 'Name that tune' thread.

[Apologies to Sean for switching services there.]

[This message has been edited by JChidester (edited 07-19-2000).]

Congratulation on your impending retirement. Enjoy yourself. I was in your neck of the woods in May on my CA/OR trip. San Diego is a beautiful place (nice LH's also).

I surprisingly find myself in your shoes. I'm retiring on 8/1/00. I did not know it until 7/8/00. Hope you enjoy your second career.

Dennis

Congrats Sean,no I`m not going to ask if you`re moving east.Just wanted to throw in an observation.In the photos, you look the happiest when over the food or does the photo lie?LOL May you and your family be blessed.

TerryBarfield

Sean - Change of Commands are a way of life in the Coast Guard. A good time to reflect and look forward. I wish you the best in your up coming retirement. There is life after the Coast Guard. I have been retired since 1985 and life is good. You will now have more time to go lighthouse visiting.
Semper Paratus
Mike H

Congratulations, Sean.....so what are you going to do with yourself once you've retired? Good Luck in all of your endeavors!!

Nice storyboard, John.

Congratulations, Sean, on your Change of Command and award. What will you be doing the next few months waiting for retirement? Only so many pre-retirement classes you can go to!

Dave

Congratulalations Sean on your upcoming retirement. The photos of the change in comand were great. I know you and Liz are looking forward to returning to the east coast again. Keep up the great input that you have given to the Harbour Lights hobby. Thanks Hal

Sean,

Congratulations! Being a clueless civilian, I don't know what the ceremony means - can you give a brief account? Thanks.

Nice Cake!

__
/im

Congratulations Sean on this milestone in your life. I am certain you will have many more emotional moments from now until your last day. You will find that once you leave you will look back and remember the best times and those times that may have not been so great will just fade away.

Retirement just means that one phase in your life is ending and the next is about to begin.

Thanks, John for the coverage and pictures.

Here, Here Sean. Well said! I can feel my chest expanding a few more inches. Who me? Proud? Yesiree!!! I'm especially proud of my fellow shipmates... Sean, Rich and the others who served. Sean received the Coast Guard Commendation Medal at his Change of Command Ceremony. For those who are curious, here is a description of the requirements to receive this medal.

"Authorized by the Secretary of the Treasury on August 26, 1947, it was originally only a ribbon bar. The first medal pendant was created July 5, 1951, and on October 2, 1959, it was re-designated the Coast Guard Commendation Medal. The current design was approved by the Commandant of the Coast Guard on June 11, 1968. Awarded to members of the U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, and to other members of the United States Armed Forces serving in any capacity with the Coast Guard, who distinguish themselves by heroism, outstanding achievement or meritorious service above that normally expected and worthy of special recognition."

Sorry Sean, I couldn't resist.

Tim - Keeping the flame lit...

Congratulations Sean, as Officer in Charge of the USCG Aids to Navigation Team San Diego, - You da' Man to 'we' lighthouse lovers. I expect your replacement will be fully briefed by you in his new important duties. I know we have nothing but respect, admiration and full support for and from your counterparts on Long Island who also recently went through the 'Change of Command' and has been assigned to the Coast Guard Academy in New London.
I thought I read somewhere your coming East, if so we'll welcome you with open arms.
Good Luck,
Bob

Thanks for the coverage, John.

Sean, that must have been a bittersweet ceremony for you. Wish I could have been there to help you celebrate. Congratulations, and may you have much success and happiness in your new endeavor when you're ready.

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-Art

Sorry Sean... I'm a retired Chief Bos'n Mate. Most of us never did learn to keep our mouths shut. I guess its time to take a sabbatical.

Tim - Holding at 314.

Wow. I was gone to a business meeting since yesterday. I have the following to say:
To John: Nice pictures
To Tim: Yeah, right! Sabbatical from talking??????
To Sean: Congratulations pal. Looks like you had a great Change of Command. I was blessed with two, and the second one was combined with my retirement up here at Humboldt Bay. You have my best wishes for your next career. My wife let me get away with retirement for two weeks before she found me another job.

Seriously, I hope you and Liz have a wonderful future.

Rich

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Congratulations Sean! We civilians are indebted to the Coast Guard and men like you who serve on our behalf. So proud of your many great years of service. Hope you are coming back to the East coast soon.

Thanks John for the pictures.

Derith

Sean,

I wish to congratulate you on your impending retirement. Like the best Harbour Lights, all good things retire eventually. I would also like to congratulate you on the Commendation Medal, and to say "Thank You" for your dedicated service not only to the U.S.C.G., but to the people who look to you for help and for you to put your life on the line for them when called upon.

So, congratulations Sean! and Thank you!

-Todd

Congratulations Sean on a career obviously grounded in personal honesty, integrity and service. Reading the prior posts and seeing St. John's excellent pictures makes me so very proud for you and your accomplishments. Obviously, the USCG is proud of you, too.

There may be some major changes in your future after retirement, and I just know you’ll excel in your chosen second career, whatever it may be.

Thank you Sean for a job well done.

The Chaplain who did the Invocation and Benediction at the Change of Command Ceremony graciously gave me his copy of the benediction he read -- which he acknowledged he 'stole' from Richard Halverson, Former Chaplain, US Senate:



May these words guide Sean and Liz as they create a new life in the years ahead.

Congratulations and best wishes Sean, for your upcoming retirement and the awarding of the Commendation Medal! It's wonderful to know we have people like you serving in the Coast Guard.

Thanks for great coverage of the ceremony, John, and for sharing the benediction - it would be a meaningful benediction for any of us!

Barb




[This message has been edited by Barb Kepple (edited 07-21-2000).]

Do I smell Coast Guard Reserve?

Sean-

Congratulations! Best wishes for the future and good luck in anything that you might decide to do!

Stephen

Sorry Bob. Your nose must be out of whack. Join the reserve and not collect retirement? I don't think so.

Rich

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Sean,

May I add my CONGRATULATIONS to you. The photos by John looked great. Hope you had a great day.

Judy

Congratulations and Best Wishes in your future endeavors!