CWO4 Dilger Retirement

[BMCS T. D. Ellis]

Not sure if this is the right place, I'm sure you all will "CORRECT" me but...

My CO, CWO4 Paul E. Dilger is retiring next June/July in Rockland after 30 years of which he will have 27 years sea time. He was a QMCS before he shipped over and I could not have written specs for a CO that would have touched how a good a man he is to work for.

I want to get started early on this because I have a sneaky feeling I am going to get some major brass attending this ceremony. If any of you want an invitation, let me know by e-mailling off the global. I'll make sure you get one. I'm also looking for anecdotes and etc..

This is the first COC/Retirement I will MC at and I want to make it special. I'll be doing "The Watch" and am looking for any other other ultra-traditional sections I can add to the creremony.

Thanks

tde

[BMC Wayne Kidd]

The one piece I can offer is in regards to the shadow box that I found and spoke at the retirement of an old friend. I can't speak to the complete veracity of the information but I liked it and thats all that mattered to me.

Lore of the Shadow Box

Historically, when a sailor would join a ship's crew, he would join that ship for his entire career. During the sailor's voyages to ports of call around the world, he would collect many trinkets, souvenirs, and reminders of his travels. Naturally, as space aboard ship was at a premium, these items tended to be small. When the sailor piped ashore for the last time, his shipmates saw to it that a special ceremonial box was constructed for him. The box would hold all the possessions that had been collected during those many voyages, and would simultaneously symbolize the sailor's career and time aboard ship.

According to some accounts of naval history and tradition, when a sailor retires and is departing the ship for the last time, it's considered bad luck for the sailor's shadow to touch land before he/she does. Thus, the sailor's shipmates would construct a sturdy box, hand-crafted of the finest materials, in which to display mementos of the sailor's accomplishments -- thereby symbolically creating a "shadow" of the sailor. The box safely contains the sailor's "shadow" until he/she is safely ashore, at which time the shadow box can be given to the sailor in a presentation ceremony.

"On behalf of your fellow shipmates, we present you with this shadow box. Within the shadow box lie a sailor's most honored and cherished possessions, including the flag of the United States of America, representing a lifetime of valiant and faithful service."

[PACS Steve Carleton]

A real momento is the passing of the flag:

When you get the National Ensign for the retirement, try to get it in plenty of time so that you can have it flown and certified by each of his units.

We did this for my LT who retired in May, we called the units and then sent the flag with pre-done DHL labels to each of the units, asked them to fly it over their units for 1 day then send it along to the next unit on the list using the enclosed labels.

The units did it and included a congratulatory memo signed by the CO/OinC and we got the flag back with time to spare.

Then at the ceremony the flag was passed while the below was read, it can obviously be modified to fit the retiree:



“I am the flag of the United States of America. My name is Old Glory. I fly atop the world’s tallest buildings. I stand within America’s halls of justice. I fly majestically over great institutions of learning.

I was there at Cape May, New Jersey, in the summer of 1982, when Seaman Recruit XXX graduated Coast Guard basic training and reported to Coast Guard Station XXX in XXX. I was there when Seaman Apprentice XXX was proudly advanced to Seaman.”

FLAG: (E-2 passes to E-3)

“I stand guard with the greatest military power in the world.
I stand for peace, honor, truth and justice.
I stand for freedom.
I am confident. I am arrogant. I am proud.

I was with Seaman XXX as he headed to the XXXX where he learned his trade and was advanced to XXXX Third Class.”

FLAG: (E-3 passes to E4)

“When I am flown with my fellow banners, my head is a little higher, my colors a little truer.

I bow to no one.

I was with XXXX Third Class XXX when he reported for duty at Coast Guard XXX in XXXX. There, he enthusiastically brought the news of the Coast Guard to the airwaves, conducting television interviews on high level issues. I was there as he was advanced to XXXX Second Class.”

FLAG: (E4 passes to E5)

“I am recognized all over the world.
I am saluted.
I am respected.
I am revered.
I am loved and I am feared.

I stood tall when XXXX First Class Dye reported to XXXX in XXXX.”

FLAG: (E5 passes to E6)

“I have fought every battle of every war, for more than 200 years. When America fought for her freedom, I was there.
When America fought for the freedom of others in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, and Afghanistan and now in Iraq, I was there.

I watched with pride as Chief Petty Officer XXX was welcomed in to the Chief’s Corps upon completion of his initiation.

When Chief Petty Officer XXX reported for duty as the XXXXXXX at Coast Guard XXXXX in XXXX, I was there.”

(E6 passes to CPO)

“I led sailors.
I followed them.
I watched over them.
They loved me.
I was on a small boat in Guadal Canal. I was dirty, battle-worn and tired, but my sailors and Marines cheered me.
I was proud.

I was there when Chief Petty Officer XXXX was promoted to Chief Warrant Officer and reported for duty at XXXXX where he passed his knowledge and skills on to others.”

FLAG: (CPO passes to CWO)

“I was there as Chief Warrant Officer XXX was promoted to Lieutenant, and served XXXXX . I watched proudly as he endured difficult challenges, expertly handling them with the experience of over XX years behind him.”

FLAG: (CWO passes LT)

“I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of countries that I have helped to set free. It does not hurt, for I am invincible.

I have been soiled, burned, torn and trampled on the streets of my own county. And when it is by those with whom I stand for in this great country, it hurts. But I shall overcome, for I am strong!

I am proud to have served with you during your many years of service to our country. I will be with you in your retirement just as I was during you active service.”

(LT passes to Retiree)

“Dear God, long may I wave.
I am proud. My name is Old Glory!”

[YNCM Doug Squires (Ret)]

We have a lot of retirements here at MLCLANT in Norfolk. I seem to be the go-to guy for helping to set up these ceremonies.

I am in the process of establishing a "Job Aid" that will list sample scripts for informal ceremonies, semi-formal ceremonies and formal ceremonies.

I'm also adding a section on different things I have seen at retirements - such as the Flag Ceremony, the Shadow Box, Reading of the "Watch" etc.

I will welcome any input. I will even Footnote your submission with your name and unit.

Send info to: Douglas.g.Squires@uscg.mil

Thanks.

[BMC John Marschhauser]

Master Chief,

I wish I was in the position to be on the sending end of this, but I actually will be MC at my shipmates retirement ceremony on Friday, January 19th. I have the gifts and I sent away for a flag in September (flown) but I still need to draft an agenda and script. I'm usually good at winging, but this guy is my friend and I want it to be great!

Please send me any advice or protocols you might have already!

Thanks a million!

John

Surfcop@Optonline.net

[YNCM Doug Squires (Ret)]

John:

Check your e-mail - I sent you an e-package this morning.

Doug

[BMC John Marschhauser]

Doug,

Thanks so much for the info you sent me. This stuff is great! I just want to share that I often try to get the retiree a USCG GI Joe and it always goes over well. That and the coin which says "Served in the US Coast Guard and Mighty Proud of it!"

[SKC Ronald Brumble]

Where did you get that coin? I like that, it's a great idea!

[BMC John Marschhauser]

I got it from a guy in Seattle. I'll look it up and send you his info and a pic of the coin...

I mounted two of the coins on a plaque and it came out nice...

It's on my other computer, so I'll get to it later in the day...

John

[BMC John Marschhauser]

Mr. Dewey from Seattle has an e-bay store with great coins. Here is the link to the coin I bought a bunch of...

http://cgi.ebay.com/UNITED-STATES-COAST-GUARD-SERVED-MIGHTY-PROUD-COIN_W0QQitemZ220074689621QQihZ012QQcategoryZ74710 QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

He has some really great stuff and he's very reliable.

[BMC John Marschhauser]

OK, Here's a pic of the plaque with the coins and clock.
This cost about $250 including 180 for the clock (Weems and Plath clock)

http://cgchiefs.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=378&stc=1

[BMCS T. D. Ellis]

I like where this thread has gone, however, anybody got any good stories about CWO4 Dilger?

[BMCS Jim Lamson (Ret)]

Tim, are you still on the Abbie Burgess. I'm sure you recognize my name around the ship, and some of my "chief-alts". How are things going for you. Tried to send you and email from here, but your profile doesn't allow for that. Drop a line when you can. Does the morale fund have any Abbie T-shirts or sweatshirts available? Mine have either worn out or otherwise disappeared, the exchange doesn't carry them. How much are they? We did a Zippo lighter order once ... nice lighters ...

I saw all the press about Paul's retirement ... heckofa sailor, I wish him all the best.

Thanks,

BMCS (ret) Jim Lamson
Life is good :cool:

[BMCS T. D. Ellis]

SC Lamson,

Sorry I have not responded before now but I was OOC for 3 months and just got back to work on 24 July, 3 months before CWO4 Dilger's retirement. I was able to do his retirement. My OPS BM1 did a great job during my involuntary absence. Did you see the feature on CWO4 Dilger in the NAVY TIMES?

My e-mail address is Timothy.D.Ellis@uscg.mil

Drop me a line and I will get you what you want.

v/r

tde