Journals 2008/2009

John Karavias
Walt Whitman H.S. Huntington Station, NY

"Estimation of Primary Productivity and Particle Export Rates as a Function of Phytoplankton Community Structure in the Bering Sea" United States Coast Guard Cutter Healy, Icebreaker July 3 - July 28, 2008

Journal Index: July 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11        12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - 16 - 17 - 18 - 19        20 - 21 - 22 - 23 - 24 - 25 - 26 - 27        28 - 29 - 30 - 31

July 29, 2008
Challenge Coin

Today the Coast Guard had their normal Quarters meeting where they recognize their own achievements. Officers and specifically the Captain hands out medals and awards the Coast Guard crew who have been promoted, qualified, and have performed duties beyond expectations.

Today's Quarters was the last of the trip so many of the science crew were present. At its conclusion we also took a photograph. Three members received certificates of service because their tour was up and were leaving the Coast Guard. A few more members received medals for their efforts on our trip.

Then the Captain said he had two more awards to hand out. He spoke about how there were two people onboard who worked tirelessly in bridging the relationship between the science crewmembers and the Coast Guard and that the Coast Guard members were proud to have these two individuals onboard. Captain Sommer said although these two individuals may think these Challenge Coins are not very important, they are important to us. Then he asked me and Jillian Worossam to come up in front of the whole Coast Guard and science crew to receive our Challenge Coins.

I could not believe it. I was recognized by the captain of the USCG Healy Icebreaker! Afterwards, the 'Coasties' said they've had quite a few teachers and observers onboard and none of them were as active and as involved as us. BM2 Huneycut pulled me aside and told me to be proud and that he would like to tell me the history of the Challenge Coin ...

This coin represents rich military history I am proud to be part of.