I got an idea while calling about the snow conditions at the Old Michigan City Lighthouse today.. By the way the Brady’s aren’t going to drive the 3 hours up and 3 hours back today to shoot pictures… only 1/2 to 1 inch barely covering the grass in places…

Back to the idea… I called the Coast Guard Station next to the Old Lighthouse to inquire about the amount of snow, when the young man answered I wished him a very Merry Christmas…. He acted like it made his day. Hearing his voice become more cheerful sure made mine as he responded in kind. If you get a chance why not go to the following website and find the Coast Guard District in your area and a phone number for a station and give them a call and wish them a Merry Christmas..

I know it’s kind of Wacko but then….

SaintWackoPaul '

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Onward to The Land of the Midnight Sun!

Good idea paul I think I'll give the station at Cortez a call.Bill O'Brien

Speaking from experience, it really means a lot to get a call from home when your away from home on the hollidays. I spent 4 Christmas Hollidays away from my wife and kids (Viet Nam, Alaska and 2 on international ice patrols). The one in "Nam" was the worst because you never knew what was going to happen. We had a HAM Station on the ship and were lucky enough to get a link back to the states. I don't know how many HAM operators were involved but the patch lasted almost 16 hours and almost 3/4 of the 140 men on the ship were able to get through for a few minutes to talk to their families. A call from home or someone from home can mean a lot to a serviceman.

Rich