02/18/03
Jim Gill's passing
has left a vacant slot on the association's
Watch, Quarter and Station billet that will be difficult to fill. I
can only try to carry on in his place as president with the same hopes and goals
as I believe Jim had and that was to gather as many souls as possible to keep
the memory of the U.S.C.G. Lightship Sailors Association's
beacon burning bright for the ones we leave behind as we report to our final
duty station in the hereafter. May the course you sail be a fair one Jim. A
special thanks to you, Betty, for sharing Jim with us for a short time.
Dennis Cosmo Jr.
President, LSA
11/19/02
A report to the membership
11 August 2002
The USCG Lightship Sailors Assn now begins it’s fourth year. Much has been accomplished since our meager beginnings and I am sure much more will be added as we move ahead. Here are but a few of our gains
+We are an organized and incorporated group with an assigned federal ID number. Our 501(3)c status will be a reality in a matter of weeks.
+Membership began at 25 and is now over 600 and climbing steadily. With your help we will see over 700 by year’s end.
+Written a comprehensive and appropriate book of bylaws.
+Appointed a competent and enthusiastic Historian
+Developed a logo and letterhead
+We have held four very successful reunions each one better attended than the one before. All have been financial self-supporting.
+Developed a “patch” and medallion (coin) by Dennis Cosmo.
+A forum has been established for lightship hearing loss casualties.
+Enacted affiliation with the American Lighthouse Foundation (ALF)
+Found an able and qualified "Man of the Cloth" to be our Chaplain.
+Developed and posted two popular web-sites with important links to other maritime activities. Our website presently enjoys an average of 600 ”hits” per day as it's popularity increases by leaps and bounds.
+Gained contacts in 5 foreign countries. (England & Scotland in the UK, Denmark, Netherlands, Ireland, and Philippines.
+Reached a stature of prominence in the USCG and maritime communities.
+Brought the Lightship Memorial in New Bedford to a reality.
Financially we are sound but hardly affluent. We will accept any gifts, donations and dues payments gladly. We have several fixed expenses; There are fees to maintain corporation status, the 501 status and web-site upkeep. Our Secretary is reimbursed for stationery, printer ink and considerable postage. Reunions are expected to be self-supporting and so far they have been. Other reunion groups ask for $90 to $150 for reunion registration while we ask for $60 due to detailed and careful planning. Obviously we will have to make small increases according to the national economy. The auctions and sales from the ship’s store all help and your past generosity is greatly appreciated.
None of this progress was gained easily. We must thank a small group of dedicated and hard-working people that achieved it thus-far and another small group that with your assistance and participation will carry it forward. Nothing lasts forever, not even a lightship sailor. The average age of those of us with lightship service I estimate to be 70 years or more. That only means that we must work even harder to build an enthusiastic younger membership to carry the torch.
You, the membership, have supported all these efforts constantly with your generous gifts of interest, enthusiasm and participation. I thank you ALL for your continued part in helping to build Lightship Sailors into the successful and recognized organization that it deserves to be.
Jim Gill USCG Ret
President
USCG Lightship Sailors Assn
642 Marina Pkwy #63
Chula Vista, CA 91910
619-427-8501
pdp@cts.com
10 August, 2002
Congratulations to our new VP2 Bob Gubitosi and to Dennis having moved up to VP1.
Welcome to John Hughs our newTreasurer/Chaplain/Auctioneer
That leaves Rick, Marty and Doug and I as holdovers and I thank you for your past very generous participation.
I think we
have a terrific new BOD and am looking forward to us working together.
05/02/02
Copyright © 2003
U.S.C.G. Lightship Sailors Assoc. Inc. All rights reserved.
Revised:
10/23/06.
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