R 161550Z OCT 12

ALCOAST 459/12
COMDTNOTE 1110
SUBJ: RESTORING THE U.S COAST GUARD MEMORIAL AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL
CEMETERY
1. I am proud to announce a project is currently underway to restore
the U.S. Coast Guard Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. During
the 2011 Veterans Day wreath laying ceremony at the Coast Guard
Memorial, the Commandant announced the "Lest We Forget" campaign to
preserve the eighty-four year old monument to our fallen shipmates.
Initially dedicated on 23 May 1928, the memorial commemorates our
shipmates who lost their lives in WWI resulting from the sinking of
the Cutter TAMPA on 26 Sep 1918 and the action involving the Cutter
SENECA and the British collier WELLINGTON on 16-17 Sep 1918. Over the
last ten months, the Chief Petty Officers Association (CPOA) has
worked diligently to develop a project, start a fund-raising
campaign, and identify a contractor suited to restoring and
preserving this important piece of our history so that we might honor
our heroes for generations to come.
2. Setting proudly atop a hill in Arlington National Cemetery, warmly
referred to as Coast Guard Hill, the memorial is a pyramid,
constructed wholly of marble twelve feet high and set on a base of
Pink Stony Creek granite. Designed by architect George Howe, the
memorial is surrounded by a thirty-four foot mosaic circle
symbolizing a compass rose. A bronze seagull with a five foot
wingspan, made by the famed sculptor Gaston Lachaise, has been set at
the base of the pyramid exemplifying the zeal and persistence of the
Coast Guard in its duties. Most importantly, the pyramid faces are
indelibly engraved with the names of our heroic shipmates lost at sea
during the First World War.
3. The dedication of the memorial was a proud day for the Coast
Guard. Cutters TAMPA, SENECA, MANNING, and APACHE were anchored in
the Potomac River. Cutter TAMPA sounded the twenty-one gun salute for
the ceremony. The Coast Guard Academy Corps of Cadets arrived aboard
Cutters TAMPA and SENECA to form the honor guard. Several
distinguished speakers were on hand, including: Secretary of the
Treasury, the Honorable Andrew W. Mellon, Secretary of the Navy, the
Honorable Curtis D. Wilbur, and Rear Admiral F. C. Billard,
Commandant of the Coast Guard. Frank L. Toon captured the
significance of the memorial when he wrote, "It is to the Coast
Guard, of the Coast Guard, by the Coast Guard, a Memorial by our own
to our own."
4. The eighty-four year old memorial has suffered extensive damage
over the years due to environmental conditions. A large fist size
portion of marble has broken off near the apex of the pyramid, and
the lettering and the Coast Guard emblem are severely worn.
Fortunately, the CPOA has a clear vision to restore the memorial,
thus ensuring it will continue to honor the service and sacrifice of
our shipmates.
5. The funding needed for this project, approximately 95,000 dollars,
must be raised through private donations. Coast Guard funds cannot be
used in this undertaking. The Washington, DC Chapter of the Chief
Petty Officers Association has stepped forward to lead the CPOA
efforts to restore the Coast Guard memorial and is committed to
making the project a success. Through the sale of commemorative
coins, fundraisers, and individual and corporate sponsorship, they
are gaining ground on the required funding. I encourage everyone to
learn more about the project and follow its evolution at the CPOA
Washington, DC Chapter website: http://wdccpoa.org.
6. VADM Currier, Vice Commandant, sends
7. Internet release authorized.