Friday May 8th, 2009 was the last of active duty for MLB 44301. I was fortunate to attend the retirement ceremony at Coast Guard Station Chatham, located on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. The location of the Station is situated across the road from the most beautiful scenic seaside area you could imagine. Wide open Atlantic Ocean, sandy beaches for miles either way. The Station has the typical Coast Guard buildings, painted white of course, and the famous Red shingled roofs. This property also includes a Lighthouse. Up until 1922, there were Twin Lighthouses at this location, but one was transferred further down the Cape, and became Nauset Light. If you dare venture into Massachusetts, as a driver, you would see quite a few license plates, with C over I for Cape & Islands, with a Red/White Lighthouse on it. That was modeled after Nauset Light. The area sits high above the ocean, so as i mentioned, the view cannot be described enough. You just got to see it to believe it! However, there are a couple of drawbacks, one for the Station, the other if you are a Boater! The Station, does not have immediate access to the Atlantic, from there, however, ten minutes down the road, is Chatham Pier. The Coast Guard kept three boats there, until today. Besides the 44301, they recently acquired two 42' "Special Purpose Craft-Near Shore Lifeboats" (to be politically correct in their designated names). The major drawback, if your a fisherman, or a pleasure boater, is the multitude of sandbars,and strong currents. The bars constantly change with storms, and that means plenty of places to go aground, and with the constant action of the Atlantic, that can mean trouble.
This is what the Station looked like upon arrival yesterday. The weather had been on/off all week, rain was forcast, so they played it safe with a tent. We lucked out finding a parking space! Plans had been made to shuttle people back and forth with a bus, from the Chatham Pier lot, I had made earlier plans to meet up with Bill Collette , Curator of C.G.Heritage Museum in Barnstable, Jack, a Director, and a fellow Lightship Sailor, Pete P. from Connecticut. We had all met at the Museum, and Jack, knowing the area, had chauffered our little group. As we entered the Station grounds, we were surprised to see some heavy security. You know, the beefeaters with suits.ties/sunglasses, and earplugs with the coil wire down thier backs, pacing the grounds. Felt secure, thats for sure! We roamed the grounds, splitting up, i to go see a couple of Red Coats, (members of Lightship Sailors Association)
whom i had met back in November at their 10th Reunion. One of them was Dave, (the treasurer) whom to my surprise, had a LSSA name tag with my name on it. He asked if i would like it to wear, and of course i did! I had my Red Coat with me,but left it in the car. The Sun was shining, a slight breeze,but felt i didin't need to wear a coat. (a fact i regretted later,as it was chilly under that tent!) Bill, Jack, and Pete were chatting with various people and uniforms. Bill and Pete, had served at this Station,and had an awful lot of old buddies to catch up with.
As the minutes flew by, more uniforms and civilians started to fill the tent. Finally everyone sat and the Ceremony began. More to come.....
Buxton Road..... The Revolutionary Soldiers..
I wouldn't want that to happen for sure. Maybe look it up on the internet. 
