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Welcoming Letter for Spring 2010

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To All That Enter Our Web Site, Welcome:

The LSA now has entered into our 11th year since being founded by a small group of Lightship Sailors. I purposely avoided any reference to "Ex" or "Past" as we feel like once a Coasty, Always a Coastie and certainly once a Lightship Sailor, "Always a Lightship Sailor".

Since the founding as an informal group, we have developed a sound 501 (c) (3) organization with an operating set of By-Laws, along with a membership approved Mission Statement, an effective membership organization, a treasury to fund our activities, with responsibly officers, directors and chairmen heading each of the various departments.

The most recent addition to our list of achievements would be the opening and dedication of our museum in Barnstable, Massachusetts and the appointment of a LSA curator acting as a liaison with the USCG Heritage Museum that has generously provided the space for our exhibits. As this is the only museum dedicated to preserving the history of not only all Lightships, but the only one dedicated to preserving the history of Lightship Sailors. While we graciously acknowledge the overwhelming task others have done in preserving the story of individual Lightship Stations and specific Lightships, no other is dedicated to all Lightships and all Lightship Sailors.

Our other significant development would have to be our new website www.uscglightshipsailors.org. While we have had a website for most of our existence, it was privately owned and managed. In 2004, The LSA acquired the website, appointed a web master ( also a Director on the LSA board ) that has revamped the site and has added a lot of new features, two that most find very interesting: A complete section with only pictures of Lightship sailors, when they really were, with names, dates and Lightship by hull number ( some of the pictures are from a period of 60 years ago, many over 50 years ). The other section of interest would be the names of all known Lightship Sailors and Commanding Officers again by hull number.

The website has generated many inquiries regarding lost history, including ancestors. We would hope to be able to continue to contribute.

The General Membership selected Savannah, Georgia as our reunion location for October, 2010. This will also be an election year where all members of the Board ( all positions ) will be elected for a 2 year term. All are welcomed to join us in Savannah, the plans are made and it would appear the only issue in question will be the weather. Hope to see you in October.

I would also hope if anyone has any question at all, they don't hesitate to contact us.

With Warm Regards,

L. R. (Larry) Ryan, President & Chairman of the Board [Email]

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Front L-R Bob Gubitosi, 1st VP, Pete Marx, Director, Adrian Van Houten, Chaplain, Larry Ryan, President, Fred Pelger, Tresurer

Back, L-R, Rick Gryder, WebMaster, Rick Dasch, Director, Bernie Brynes, Veterans Affairs,

Skip Coleman, 1st VP, Dennis Cosmo, Arts & Graphics, Dave Orszak, Secretary & Membership Director

Back to the LSA Site Index Page

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© 2008 through 2010 USCG Lightship Sailors Association International, Inc. Larry Ryan, President  [Email}

Rick Gryder Webmaster

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