Well, it isn't actually a reënlistment this time, it's a contract extension, but I'm going to call it a reënlistment for the sake of both easy writing and clear intent. And also for clarity, I should say that this blog post is four months behind the times—this event took place back in May 2013. The HEALY has since been zooming around the Arctic Ocean ...
So, let's begin with an uncommon view of the US Coast Guard Cutter HEALY—from below! She was in dry dock at a Seattle shipyard during the time of this event.
Some choose to reënlist at the office and consider it almost irrelevant, while others use it as an excuse to do something memorable with family and friends. In this case, given that the HEALY was in dry dock—and Shannon was going to be the Main Prop Chief (main propulsion)—he chose to have the ceremony performed under one of the two enormous propellers. They're each 16 feet across and weigh 64,500 pounds apiece. Above them is a ship measuring 420 feet in length and 86 feet wide at its widest point (beam); she's a diesel-electric ice-breaking monster capable of gliding through 4.5 feet of ice at 3 knots. Impressive!
The person who performed the ceremony was Lieutenant Commander Thomas Lowry (the HEALY's Engineering Officer). Also in attendance—to Shannon's great surprise and honor—was the HEALY's Commanding Officer at the time, Captain Havlik. And the photographer of course, LTJG Eric Schwartz, thanks for preserving the memories!
Photography Credit
All of these photos were taken by LTJG Eric Schwartz.
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Postscript
In 2009, when we lived in Rockland, Maine, and Shannon was stationed on the USCGC THUNDER BAY, he had another reënlistment (when he signed on for another six years with the Coast Guard, which is the maximum option).
At the time, he was a very involved volunteer member of the Rockland Fire Department, so it seemed fitting that the ceremony be performed high above the fire station in the bucket of the ladder truck. And the person who performed the ceremony was Lieutenant Commander Crane, the Captain of the TBAY at the time.
Thanks again, Tom. You were so sweet to do this for us all those years ago! And thank you to all the awesome guys and gals at the Rockland Fire Department for all that YOU did that day, too—you will forever remain a part of our extended family, regardless of where we live. And every Thanksgiving Eve, we will think of PIE NIGHT and how you come together as a family of gentle giants and mighty wee ones to give thanks. We thank you.