Grayson Buries Cape May Coastie Parents Undeterred

Grayson Buries Cape May Coastie Parents Undeterred

There’s a back story to the blizzard that blanketed Cape May under a disputed 17 inches of fluffy white powder. Snow, that stubbornly drifted across Seashore Road and Lafayette street in stiff North West winds.

While Cape May residents checked water pipes and people took stupid risks walking on the frozen bay for their 15 minutes of fame and Facebook shares, soon to be Coast Guard parents were struggling against odds to see their sons graduate as KILO 195 at TRACEN the United States Coast Guard Training Center.

Graduation takes place nearly every Friday in Cape May. Families travel into Cape May from around the country. The Morante family flew in from Wahiawa, Hawaii the day before blizzard. The Ramsay’s from Locust Grove Virginia drove through the night to beat the snow in the early morning hours of Thursday.

Cape May Coastie Parents Undeterred

The Sugg family and the Pattulo had an adventure on their hands. Respectively from Panama City Florida and Lindale Texas, these families faced flight delays and Cancellations. Families will go to great lengths to see their recruit graduate. Remember the family that actually sailed to Cape May?

At the Victorian Motel we politely reached out to families not yet in town. “Spirit Airlines cancelled us into Philly and were headed to Washington D.C.” Mr Pattulo texted back. “From there we will rent a car and drive through the blizzard to get to Cape May.”

The Henry’s from Austin Texas had better luck landing Philadelphia airport. By the time both families were arriving into Cape May we were under travel restrictions and a State of Emergency.

I notified the Cape May police department that despite the travel limitation, families of future Cape May Coasties parents undeterred by the weather would be arriving. Let them through. TRACEN was closed to all but essential personnel and Graduation would still happen as scheduled.

Friday after graduation two moms and their now Coast Guard Seaman stopped in to visit.

When visiting I always asked where the new Coastguardsman will be stationed. One replied station Marathon Florida. To the Coast Guard that’s often called vacation station. Maybe a fitting end to eight weeks of boot camp in Cape May.

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5 Comments

  1. Mark Chaussee
    January 7, 2018 / 3:31 pm

    Our flight was cancelled from Chicago to Philly. So what do you do? Well we rented an SUV and drove 14 hours towards the storm. The craziest part was the worst weather we saw was lake effect snow around South Bend Indiana with multiple cars, semi trucks, busses and yes even tow trucks in th ditches. Slow and steady wins the race and we made it out and back safely. Thanks to all the Cape May locals who put up with us!

  2. Bob
    January 7, 2018 / 4:12 pm

    Now you know where the determination of a coastie cpmes from.

  3. John
    January 7, 2018 / 4:59 pm

    Please note that it’s not just “sons” who graduate…but daughters too. Thanks!

  4. June
    January 8, 2018 / 11:13 am

    Congratulations to all! that included parents who were able to get there. Family is very important!!

  5. January 8, 2018 / 9:23 pm

    Only John Cooke would think to call the Cape May Police Department to let these families through! Fantastic! That’s why John is Cape May’s “Ambassador!” (Among other multiple areas of expertise!)