“It takes less than an hour of your time,” Ginny Murray posted on Facebook. “To come out on Pittsburgh Avenue and wave goodby to the new graduates of Mike-201.”
Under primarily blue skies with near-record temperatures for December, I determined to be there with the crowd from the Cape May County Coast Guard Foundation. To say the Coast Guard graduates get warm sendoff from the Cape May community is not a cliche.
After a season of welcoming guests to Cape May at the Sea Crest and around town, this would be my first Friday not in the office. Watching an exuberant crowd of more than two dozen people, three dogs, wave to people leaving Cape May.
The community’s commitment was a testament to the support the Cape May people have for the recruits who visit. The ffamilies of the recruits in the vehicles shouted out their appreciation as they passed.
The love for the recruits who attend their eight weeks of basic training here at TRACEN runs through the whole community. Coffee Tyme treats recruits to free coffee on the Saturday before graduation. Generous patrons chip in to pay it forward at Coffee Tyme.
Graduations take place approximately 48 times per year. One more class graduates in 2021, then they break for Christmas. You can join this crowd of supporters on the corner of Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania Avenue and wave goodby to the next class.
It takes less than one hour.
It was great to see you yesterday John. Thanks for the excellent blog and great pics/videos. 👍🇺🇸