We never got to see this beautiful beach while in recruit training in 1966 except for those of us who were lucky enough to pull security duty at the Main Gate. We worked with warped active duty Seaman Apprentices and Seaman who treated us like the scum that we were as recruits.

One of their favorite stunts was to have us run from the Main Gate about a quarter mile down a rocky road to the beach and bring back ocean salt water cupped in our hands. This was real fun on the 0200 to 0400 shift. If the water spilled out by the time you got back you got to repeat the fun.

One particular Seaman took great delight in having me run down to the ocean two or three times per two-hour shift, among other things like running after cars entering the main gate to get their tag number after they were a few hundred feet away. I never forgot his face or name because I knew someday we would meet again and as fate would have it we did, several months later, at CG Group Baltimore where I worked in the personnel office as a yeoman striker. He was reporting in for further assignment when I saw him and of course he was really friendly. Unfortunately for him, a few words to my Master Chief from me affected his fate for the next couple of years. Seaman Twombley, I hope you enjoyed your assignment to one of the two old icebreakers that the Navy transferred to the Coast Guard in late 1966 that were homeported in Baltimore. They were looking for Seamen and who better than you deserved such an adventure?