Julia Hollenbeck
Article and All Photography: Copyright 1986; 1990; 2000 to Present
Coasties Rule
3:45 Minutes of Your Time
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23-Years of Service
On April 7th 1986, David Fritz Musgraves joined the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and left for Boot Camp. On June 7th, 1986 I arrived in Cape May, New Jersey to see my son graduate from Basic Training. Having gone through this once before with his brother's enlistment into the Army, I thought I was prepared to witness this event. But when I spotted him in formation among the rest of the new Seamen, I knew that I was not. The butterflies returned, a lump developed in my throat, and I gasped a short, quick breath, when he walked past me as a Seaman Apprentice in the United States Coast Guard.
The following day, David wore his new uniform and flew back home to Texas with me. He shared stories from his days of training and anyone would have known that he was excited about leaving for his first tour of duty in Homer, Alaska.
After a few days, David left for the USCG Cutter Sedge that was home-ported in Homer. When he arrived the boat was underway, so he met the boat in Kodiak, Alaska. The USCG Cutter Sedge worked Aids to Navigation along the Alaska Coastline, including the Aleutian Islands.
This Coast Guard Cutter was the only Coast Guard presence within approximately 220 miles at this particular time. Because of this, they additionally provided Search and Rescue assistance and conducted Marine Law Enforcement on the weekends.
It was ironic that his brother, Dennis, was later transferred to Anchorage, Alaska, with the United States Army, during the time that David was still there. The two of them were able to have a quick visit together before David went to his next assignment that led him back to Texas.
In 1988 David transferred to the USCG Station in Port Isabel, Texas. But before David left Alaska, he caught a huge Halibut and shipped about sixty-pounds of filet fish back home for me to enjoy, and while he was at USCG Port Isabel, Hurricane Gilbert hit South Texas.
The United States Coast Guard Station Port Isabel on South Padre Island provided Search and Rescue assistance close to the Mexican border in the Gulf of Mexico. During the three month period David was there, he mess-cooked, took care of the paint locker, and stood communications watch.
The opportunity for him to attend Boatswain Mate A School arrived and David returned to the East Coast for continued training at the United States Coast Guard Training Center in Yorktown, Virginia. Following his successful completion of school, he was advanced to BM3/E-4. David then received orders to the USCG Cutter Kanawha in Memphis, Tennessee.
This cutter worked Aids to Navigation in the Mississippi River from McKellar Lake, Tennessee (south of Memphis) to New Madrid on the Southeastern tip of Missouri.
The area of which was 150 river miles and contained over 400 aids to navigation markers, and working with buoy's can be extremely dangerous.
On David's third day on-board, he experienced a near tragic accident while retrieving a buoy. His hand was caught between half-inch wire rope and the vertical capstin that was used to haul the buoys on board. The injury to his hand literally put him out of commission for three weeks.
Several months later, David fell 20 feet to the deck from the crane on board. He fell through an escape hatch that was inadvertently left open. Aside from clipping his shin, miraculously, he was not injured.
On December 5, 1990 the Crew of the Kanawha cross-decked to their new boat, Coast Guard Cutter Kankakee, and while David was stationed in Memphis, he married Alicia Clarkson. At the end of his three year tour, he was again transferred back to Texas.
On December 8th, 1991 David reported to Galveston Island, Texas where he continued his work on the USCG Cutter Clamp servicing the Houston Ship Channel. This was a construction tender that punched piles for fixed lights and also worked buoys.
In June of 1992, David advanced to Boatswain Mate Second Class.
During the time that David was stationed there, a freighter and barge collided and the Coast Guard Cutter Clamp repositioned buoys to reopen the shipping channel for traffic. The salvage operation lasted two and a half months with little to no disruption in the shipping commerce for the Port of Houston.
On December 17th, 1993 Coast Guard Group Galveston received a Unit Commendation Award for this endeavor.
After two years in Texas, David's travels with the United States Coast Guard moved him to California.
On New Year's Day in 1994 he reported aboard the USCG Station San Francisco on Yerba Buena Island.
For the next three years, David performed Search and Rescue and Maritime Law Enforcement.
On March 11th, 1994, David completed a Boarding Team Member Course in Petaluma, California which is a prerequisite to become a Boarding Officer,
which he accomplished on August 24th, 1994.
On December 16th, 1994, he graduated from Coxswain C School in Yorktown, Virginia.
As a Boat Coxswain and a Boarding Officer, he spent several hours patrolling the bay from San Pablo Point to San Jose, including the East side of Alcatraz Island and the Oakland Estuary.
In other words, this area included all of the inner waterways of the San Francisco Bay Area.
On May 24th, 1995 he completed a California First Responder Operation Course in San Francisco.
After waiting over nine months to gain the confidence of his command, David's first assignment as Boarding Officer led to one of his most memorable and rewarding experiences.
During a post search and rescue boarding of a sailboat, while the boat was being towed back to the marina, David explained carriage requirements and regulations.
While the lack of required safety items consequently led to steep fines, David received a letter from the owner of the sailboat commending him for rescuing his friends, his boat, and himself.
In the letter, the gentlemen also stated that he fixed and or corrected all safety violations on the boat and thanked David for helping him to become more safety conscious.
Hurricane Danny welcomed David to Louisiana on July 17th, 1997. He reported to the USCG Station Venice, on the first of August located at the southernmost tip of Louisiana. His concentration was now focused on Maritime Law Enforcement of Fishery Regulations which included shrimp trawlers, long liners, poggey boats, and recreational fishing boats. Additionally, Search and Rescue cases kept the station busy between boarding's.
Although the case load level was more in San Francisco, in Venice they were more severe. The nature and size of the boats in the Venice area made the search and rescue cases far more dramatic. As an example, a freighter exploding or an oil rig collapsing. David advanced to Boatswain Mate First Class on January 1st, 1999. David was now stationed 410 miles from my front door in Houston, and the seven hour drive became common place for the two of us up until his next transfer.
On August 1, 1999, David arrived at Port Huron, Michigan.
Like Alaska, this Cutter was not always located at the home port and David reported on the USCG Cutter Bramble three days later in Grand Haven, Michigan.
The USCG Cutter Bramble services Aids To Navigation along the East side of Michigan and parts of Lake Erie to Buffalo, New York.
This region of the Great Lakes can become very treacherous during winter months due to the large accumulation of ice on the lakes.
Ice can damage lighted buoys and because of that, the Bramble replaces lighted buoys with non-lighted buoys (ice buoys) before the winter arrives.
Subsequently, in the fall the Bramble swaps out the lighted buoys with ice buoys and during the spring, they are replaced.
Due to the vast area, distance serviced, and number of buoys, David may be underway for days or even weeks at a time.
The USCGC Bramble Crew removes a sunken 6 ½-ton buoy from the Saginaw River (Ice Fishing Coast Guard Style) and hoists the iced-over buoy aboard the Bramble for de-icing (by sledge hammer), then returns the 6-foot tall buoy to the river to float with a warning affixed to the tower to serve as an aid to navigation.
In addition to servicing this vast area of water, the Bramble Crew is also responsible for the upkeep of the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse.
During a visit to see him, I discovered a picture of him and the Keeper of the Lighthouse, Bob Hanford.
Apparently they were looking at plans of the building and it reminded me of David in search of lighthouses years past.
Without a doubt, the picture expressed his sincere interest as he spoke with Bob Hanford shortly after his arrival there in 1999.
A year later I had the pleasure of also meeting Keeper Bob and exploring lighthouses with my son and his family.
Michigan had too many lighthouses for me to see during my visit and I wondered if David would someday reach them all.
David was again stationed over a thousand miles away from me, but it did not matter because he was accomplishing one of his goals in life.
He had a desire to serve with the United States Coast Guard on all open waters of the United States of America.
His career led him from the Atlantic Ocean, to the Gulf of Mexico and along the Mississippi River.
It took him to the Pacific Ocean and now the Great Lakes.
David was accomplishing the things that he set out to do with the United States Coast Guard, and on top of it being provided opportunities of super photography.
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival
Coast Guard City, USA
2001
On July 30th, 2001 my wheels rolled into Grand Haven, Michigan, home of Coast Guard City USA, to attend the week long celebration of a Festival for the United States Coast Guard (USCG). I was looking forward to seeing the Parade of Boats and meeting my son, BM1 David Musgraves, who would arrive on the USCG Cutter Bramble from Port Huron, Michigan. Unlike the year previous when I traveled to Grand Haven with him and his family, this year I drove from Clarksville, Tennessee. I was excited about seeing David because a year had past since my last visit with him.
I worried about where I would park the van and tried to depend on my memory from the year before, as I pulled into Grand Haven about an hour before the scheduled arrival of the boats and surprisingly, quickly located a prime spot where I could leave the van for the entire day.
Following a sigh of relieve, I headed for the dock where I knew the ships would be docking, and attempted to learn the exact time of their arrival so I could locate a good vantage photography point from my wheelchair. Hoping to capture the scene of the moment, I stopped along the way for photos of the mouth of the river, where the boats would be entering from Lake Michigan.
When a Coast Guardsman approached me with his arm extended to point out the spectator's area, my photo session came to an abrupt stop. I glanced up at the hill and requested one more photo of the river, then left for a more primary location I knew the boats would have to pass to dock.
Snuggled against the sea wall at the dock's bend, I attempted to patiently wait as I gazed up the river and felt peace within me, capturing sea gulls sitting on a pile in the water with the lens of my camera.
There was an air of excitement among hundreds of people that lined the pier while everyone awaited the Parade of Boats. A helicopter flew overhead reminding everyone the boats would arrive soon, and a motorized hang glider looked like a huge bird as he swooped above the river in the distance.
Suddenly, there were screeches of joy and cheers as the first boat slowly edged into view. I fumbled with my cameras but could not see around the people who stood to the left of me waving American Flags but fortunately my assistant was able to extend his arm out beyond the crowd and capture the scene. (The photo was taken without peering through the viewfinder.)
When I saw the first boat begin to pass my viewing area, I attempted to take photographs and craned my neck to see if I could see my son or the name of the boat. I finally realized it was an Ice Breaker and not the Buoy Tender my son would be on.
The sea gulls left their resting spot as the large cutter slid quietly by, leaving only a large stone on the pile. Suddenly I felt the same butterflies as I did 16 years ago when attending David's graduation in Cape May, New Jersey. I convinced myself it was the anticipation of the moment, and the American flags that waved next to me.
Then I saw the USCG Cutter Bramble directly in front of me and started screaming, "David" as loud as my voice would allow me, alternating with his last name, the people near me started calling his name out in unison with me. Zooming the lens of my camera; I saw him! He wore a yellow helmet and waved at me, then I saw him motion for his comrades to join him at port side. I caught on quickly and snapped the shutter for a group photo! Then fighting back tears as the boat slowly edged past me to dock alongside the pier further from view I felt my heart swell with pride.
The Mackinaw approached next: Big, bold, red, and boasting powers of miracles for the lake she contained as her crew maneuvered her into her berth. She was the largest of the ships that paraded from the mouth of the river. The people began moving away from the side of the pier, leaving me in near solitude as I watched the American Flag wave from the aft of the Mackinaw.
When I finally wheeled myself past her, the scene of the boatswain mates standing near the flag as they prepared for visitors made me stop to catch my breath. Indeed, these three major boats that secured the Great Lakes surrounding the state of Michigan in full dress, flying the proud colors of Coast Guard Flags was a sight to behold. But my grandest feeling was when my son came down his cutter's ramp to meet me on the dock below.
Later, David made it a point to have me board the boat he worked on. Even though it was impossible for me to tour this vessel, I felt as though I had a private tour while David shared his knowledge of the buoys with me and explained the operation of them on the waterways.
It had been a long time for this visit to become a happening and it was grand that David was able to have the remainder of the day off. We spent our time visiting and enjoying some of the sights as we traveled up and down the main sidewalk and lower docking area where there was a steady stream of private boaters pulling in and out of the dockside landing. The following day, David enjoyed leave from work and accompanied me to seek out lighthouses on the West side of the state, North of Grand Haven. He located four of them to add to "In Search of Lighthouses" on the Great Lakes.
A near continuous flow of entertainment for the next five days included events and activities for the enjoyment of hundreds of people. Nightly entertainment, a carnival, reunions, ship tours, crafts show, and a grand parade that lasted over three hours were only a few of the spectacular festivities. It was obvious that this festival was well thought out and excellently planned for the enjoyment of everyone.
I found no problem with accessibility with the exception of ship tours which obviously would not be available to people in wheelchairs because they were simply not designed to be public facilities. There were many people attending the festival that used wheelchairs for mobility needs and I was pleased to meet several of them. This was an event encouraging unity in society, and the education about the United States Coast Guard. It was an event filled with extraordinary activities for one and all.
One of the most sought after events was the evening display of patriotism with the US Coast Guard symbol high on a hill to the lower left of the lazer performance.
But next to seeing the Parade of Boats, the most exciting reward was the opportunity to watch the US Coast Guard Silent Drill Team perform before sundown on August 3rd, 2001.
United States Coast Guard Silent Drill Team
My cameras were posed and ready as the Silent Drill Team entered the field, but they marched so swiftly that I nearly missed the opportunity, operating with a slow-focusing digital, as the standard bearers passed me. In formation they faced the grandstand as the announcement of their appearance emanated from the loud speakers. Then clicking their heels, turned, and faced me.
Pivoting in silence, they continued to make 90 degree turns while the swords on the end of their rifles glistened in the sun, and readied for their inspection. Quietly, with his head turned to face his unit, the officer in charge marched along the front row of men and stopped at the last man to inspect his rifle. With deliberate and precise movements and his hands gloved in white, he slid his palms over the stock of the rifle and then turned the palm of his hand to look at his glove. The inspection of the rifle is an important ritual for all of whom carry arms, but this silent performance contained near mechanical movements that were professional.
Following the inspection, the men performed their strategic movements across the gray pavement in front of the grandstand eventually forming a circle following several different precision movements. The officer in charge marched to the center of four individuals posing in the four quadrants. To the astonishment of the spectators, the four members tossed their rifles with bayonets attached, over the head of their commander, often summersaulting the weapons in the air. The officer never flinched, and the performance was perfect.
David's tour of duty at Port Huron, Michigan provided two opportunities for visits to see him, both of which brought forth the awareness of the United States Coast Guard Festival and continued "Search for Lighthouses".
When the headquartering office of Wheel Me On... relocated to Clarksville, Tennessee, we were then only 600 miles away from one another, and in the spring of 2002, David received orders to report to Chattanooga, Tennessee.
A main goal was to follow Petty Officer Musgraves' career to increase knowledge about the United States Coast Guard, and share the experience with others for the benefit of education about this division of our military pride in the USA.
In late November 2002, the opportunity again arrived when traveling from Clarksville, Tennessee, to Atlanta, Georgia, and using Chattanooga as a mid-way stopping point. Clarksville was 200 miles Northwest of Hixson, (a Northeast suburb of Chattanooga) where David lived, and Atlanta was 135 miles south from there. The trip provided two weekend visits to produce information about what could possibly be his last tour of duty before retirement.
Less than six miles south of Hixson, below a narrow and winding secluded road, laid the Chickamauga Lake. The road forked off to the left for the gate of the United States Coast Guard Depot of Chattanooga, which consists of the US Coast Guard Cutter Ouachita, ("watch-a-ta") and their Shoreside Support Detachment (SSD).
A 10-foot training light with a red, 4-foot triangle board, used for practicing lighting procedures was situated next to the moorings. These lights are typically ten to 30-feet in height, spaced along riverbank's marking river miles, and turning points.
Petty Officer Musgraves' assignment as the SSD Supervisor took care of the grounds, moorings, and aids to navigation supplies for the cutter. Aids to Navigation included buoys, sinkers, day boards, pilings, chain, and attachment equipment for the buoys.
At the pier, the United States Coast Guard Cutter Ouachita was moored up. The USCGC Ouachita is an inland river buoy tender outfitted with a pile driver. The cutter operates on the Tennessee River between Knoxville and Pickwick Dam.
The Cutter's crew services the buoys and lights along the river, with a pile driver capable of punching 60-foot wooden piles in designated areas for lights. It has the capability to operate in other areas as needed.
The first building on the grounds contained a training room utilized by the Coast Guard Auxiliary for meetings and boating safety classes. Beyond it was the SSD main office and administration building, with an upstairs weight room facility for unit morale. A garage for storage and workshops was located at the far end of the depot.
On a hill behind the buildings, the Unaccompanied Personnel Housing Building (UPH) had berthing areas for up to eight Coast Guardsmen, and offered a magnificent view of the lake.
The timing of near-noon arrival with David's wife, Alicia, was close to perfect during the typical lunch hour. David walked across the road and directed us to a parking location. His office was inside of the SSD main building, to the right of the staircase.
(It took a little ingenuity to maneuver the power wheelchair around the 90-degree entry from the front door.)
Seaman Wilson was in the main administration office on our arrival and getting ready for a couple of games of dart with David during his lunch. Wilson was serving his first tour of duty in Chattanooga after enlisting in the Coast Guard, and completing his training. They played a couple of games of cricket with the darts, until David's office telephone rang.
A surge of pride engulfed, when spotting his title and name on the door of his private office, "SSD Supervisor, BM1 D.F. Musgraves".
As we started to leave his office, Seaman Harris entered the building. We spent a few minutes talking about "Wheel Me On" and after a lot of nudging, three of the "Coasties" agreed to a quick photo.
Once outside of the building, David took us to the buoy storage racks. This in itself was an extremely educating experience, allowing even more insight to the work he had been doing for many years, while serving at an Aids to Navigation unit. It was David's sixth ATON unit during his sixteen and half years of service.
At the far end of the last building, behind the garage, stood over 500 buoys. David began describing the buoys as he stood next to them.
His height of nearly six-feet, gave an excellent perception of the seven-foot tall metal buoys ready for the USCG Cutter Ouachita to deploy. The weight of the buoys ranged from 350-pounds to about 600-pounds, and were moved by forklift to the boat. They are shipped by 18-wheelers on a flatbed to the Chattanooga Depot.
Brand new red and green cylinders made of solid foam were stacked upon one another waiting for assembly. On the pavement to the right of them, were metal counter weights. These weights weigh approximately 60-pounds each, and would be inserted through the foam, with a lifting bail fastened to the top of the counter weight rod. On the hillside, laid ten assembled foam buoys, separated by their red and green colors.
David walked over to five-foot tower sections on the opposite side of the road. These sections are mounted above the lights to accommodate higher nesting for osprey birds, and avoid obstruction of the lights.
(Osprey birds nest at highest available points, are on the endangered species list, and nests cannot be removed while birds are nesting.)
Behind the tower sections are 1500-pound cement sinkers, stacked in columns of four, used to anchor buoys in place.
Next to the tower sections lay large 50-foot piles, similar to telephone poles. These piles are used to construct lights along the river. In between the two stacks of piles are more cement sinkers. These sinkers weigh a thousand pounds and are also used to anchor buoys in place along the river. The view from this particular area shows the Chickamauga Lake and the city of Hixson, Tennessee, where David lives.
Leaving the area, the USCG Cutter Ouchita loaned an appeasing sight docked at the pier. White sand glistened on the small beach, and a forest of tall green trees stood proudly protecting the area. The small craft docked alongside the pier was reminiscent of years past.
It the Year 2004, Petty Officer Musgraves had pretty much decided to remain in the United States Coast Guard following his tour of duty in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at mid Year 2006.
His currant tour of duty has provided several opportunities to engage in activities with him promoting education, awareness, activities, and family unity.
Near the end of his tour, David had to make a decision as to whether or not he would remain in the United States Coast Guard. Now having fulfilled his 20-year enlistment, he could have retired, but instead he decided to accept another tour.
On July 1st, 2006, Petty Officer Musgraves reported for duty with Aids to Navigation in the Mississippi River, at the same station in Memphis, Tennessee, where he would now serve the USCGC Kankakee which replaced the USCGC Kanawha 16-years ago, when he was stationed there previously. For myself, I breathed a sigh of relief as he would only be a few miles further from my home and would have his wife's family close by. It was an all-win situation for everyone.
Petty Officer David F. Musgraves
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