Shipmates,
After attending the terrific Coast Guard Foundation Dinner on Thursday and an incredible World Maritime Day on Friday, Pam and I returned to Governors Island on Saturday morning and walked the island. We were stationed on GI twice (1975-1977 (GALLATIN) and 1986-1988 (Third District/MLC)). There are a number of pictures posted on Flickr.
The Coast Guard occupied Governors Island for nearly 30 years ... from 1967 when we relocated our training center from Groton and our moorings and base at St George, Staten Island to the mid 1990's when we relocated most of the function to Norfolk and Portsmouth, VA.
My children attended P.S. 26 on Governors Island and we enjoyed our assignments there (living in Fort Jay in our last tour). The second assignment was a very critical one for me personally. I was assigned as the Third District Planning Officer in January 1986. In the next six months the northern section of the island (the original island) was approved as an Historic Landmark District.
That summer the island hosted Liberty Weekend activities where the Statue of Liberty was relit and GI was the venue for talks between President Reagan and French President Francois Mitterand. The island hosted a huge concert that was headlined by Neil Diamond. I was assigned as the liaison officer to the White House and worked with the Coast Guard Military Aide to President Reagan (LCDR Vivien Crea!).
Later that summer I was assigned to the Gilbert I Study which recommended the disestablishment of the Third District and the creation of the Maintenance and Logistics Commands (our first step toward modernization). Later I served as the first budget officer in MLCLANT.
Many memories for the Allens and many other Guardians as well. A very nostalgic morning. The seasonal opening of the island ended last week and the island had over 260,000 visitors this year.
The southern end of the island which was made from landfill from the construction of the New York subways is being demolished and will be redeveloped. The northern end remains an historic landmark district.
ADM A
