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He paid the ultimate price serving his country

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 6:08 pm
by 57Coastie
This tragic email from one of my students many long years ago just hit my computer.

Perhaps our group here might see here the other side of the debate about border searches.

What do you think, Moby?

Jim
_________________________________________________________
QUOTE

To the men and women of the United States Coast Guard:

It is with deep regret and sadness that I report the loss of Boatswains Mate
Chief Terrell Horne, the Executive Petty Officer of CGC HALIBUT, who died
early this morning from injuries sustained while conducting maritime law
enforcement operations off the California coast.

CGC HALIBUT was investigating a panga-type vessel suspected of illicit
activities after it was detected by a Coast Guard maritime patrol aircraft.
When the CGC HALIBUT small boat approached, the suspect panga-type vessel
maneuvered at a high rate of speed directly towards the small boat and
struck it before fleeing the scene. Two Coast Guardsmen were thrown from
the boat into the water, and both members were immediately recovered by the
small boat. Upon recovery it was apparent that BMC Horne sustained a
traumatic head injury. The other crew member had minor injuries. The CGC
HALIBUT crew quickly recovered the small boat and boarding team and
immediately administered first aid. CGC HALIBUT returned to port where
emergency medical service units pronounced BMC Horne deceased.

Coast Guard assets later successfully interdicted the fleeing panga-type
vessel, boarded it, and detained two suspects. I commend the Coast Guard
and Customs and Border Protection units who continued the pursuit and
apprehended those believed to be responsible. We are actively investigating
the incident.

BMC Horne stood the watch on the front lines of Coast Guard operations
throughout his nearly 14 years of active duty. He previously served at
Coast Guard Stations Emerald Isle, Humboldt Bay and Charleston, and also
sailed aboard the CGC DALLAS. Throughout his Coast Guard service, BMC
Horne's professionalism and commitment, like those before him, ensured that
we were always ready to answer the nation's call.

The entire service is energized to support the family and shipmates of BMC
Horne. Please keep his family and the crew of CGC HALIBUT in your thoughts
and prayers.

Semper Paratus.

Admiral Bob Papp, Commandant
________________________________________________
ENDQUOTE

Re: He paid the ultimate price serving his country

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 7:42 pm
by jocat54
That is really sad!!
Hope the perverts responsible pay dearly.
Prayers for his family.
R.I.P.

Re: He paid the ultimate price serving his country

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 7:44 pm
by Oldgringo
jocat54 wrote:That is really sad!!
Hope the perverts responsible pay dearly.
Prayers for his family.
R.I.P.
Me too. :patriot:

Umm, what is a panga-type vessel? :headscratch

Re: He paid the ultimate price serving his country

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 8:14 pm
by WildBill
Oldgringo wrote:
jocat54 wrote:That is really sad!!
Hope the perverts responsible pay dearly.
Prayers for his family.
R.I.P.
Me too. :patriot:

Umm, what is a panga-type vessel? :headscratch
I also send prayers to his family and thank him for his service to our country. :patriot:

I will also have to Google "panga-type vessel". It's probably like a "class" of vessel.

Re: He paid the ultimate price serving his country

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 8:23 pm
by The Annoyed Man
Oldgringo wrote:
jocat54 wrote:That is really sad!!
Hope the perverts responsible pay dearly.
Prayers for his family.
R.I.P.
Me too. :patriot:

Umm, what is a panga-type vessel? :headscratch
Image

Re: He paid the ultimate price serving his country

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 8:32 pm
by 57Coastie
Oldgringo wrote:
jocat54 wrote:That is really sad!!
Hope the perverts responsible pay dearly.
Prayers for his family.
R.I.P.
Me too. :patriot:

Umm, what is a panga-type vessel? :headscratch
Here is an article on the panga in Wikipedia, Gringo.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panga_(boat" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;)

They can be quite fast and are very sturdy. They have been used successfully by Somali pirates, and their high bow does not encourage our small boats, like the one carried by Halibut in this instance, getting into a collision with them. CG ships have been a part of the US-led maritime effort at interdicting Somali pirates from the very beginning. The men and women of our service put themselves in harm's way daily, and few in our country know that much about our service. Anyone here interested in knowing more about our country's oldest continuous seagoing service, the hard core of seamen around which the Navy builds itself in time of war, can take a look here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Sta ... uard#Boats" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I understand that the two Mexican nationals aboard the panga have been arrested.

For all our CG men and women in service all over the world, I thank you and others for your kind words.

Jim

Re: He paid the ultimate price serving his country

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 8:44 pm
by C-dub
Yes he did. :patriot: :sad:

I think I heard about this on the news late this morning. I had not heard that he died.

Re: He paid the ultimate price serving his country

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 9:06 pm
by GWE Chally
RIP Shipmate...
:patriot:

I read this article earlier:

http://www.ksby.com/news/coast-guard-me ... boat-bust/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Re: He paid the ultimate price serving his country

Posted: Mon Dec 03, 2012 10:23 pm
by carlson1
I had read that earlier on ODMP. Very sad. :patriot: