Over The Bow Volume 74 Issue 2 Summer 2016 | Page 6

Patriots and Volunteers

I recently traveled to New Brunswick, New Jersey to have Sunday brunch with friends, who also volunteer to serve this great Nation. After leaving the restaurant, walking back to our cars, we noticed a very old church. We later learned that it was Christ Church, built in 1742 and it’s the oldest church in the area. Alongside the church was a cemetery and garden. It was immediately apparent that the headstones, grave markers and tombs were also very old.

We walked through the cemetery reading the severely weathered and often fallen headstones. It was both fascinating and educational. The oldest person buried there is Dinah, who passed away at 106 years old and believed to have been a slave of the Dore family.

But what we found most amazing were the American patriots buried there.

Brigadier General Anthony Walton White of the 3rd New Jersey Volunteer Regiment, Continental Army, who fought for our independence and commanded companies in battle in South Carolina and Virginia. He was also aide-de-camp to General George Washington.

Also buried there is Rear Admiral Charles Stuart Boggs of the United Stated Navy who volunteered as a Midshipman in 1826 and received his commission in 1837.

He commanded vessels during the Mexican War and served as Commodore of Lighthouse Inspections during the Civil War before being promoted to Rear Admiral.

RADM Boggs’ son, Lieutenant Robert Morris Boggs is buried there as well. Lieutenant Boggs served his county during the Civil War until he died at Harrison’s Landing, Virginia in 1862. Lieutenant Boggs served with the 1st New Jersey Volunteer Infantry.

What did these patriots have in common? They were all volunteers. Each of them volunteered to serve this great nation. These patriots, without having to do so, made a conscious choice to serve.

Just as each Auxiliarist/patriot has raised their hand and made a pledge to support the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and its purposes, to faithfully execute their duties, and to abide by the governing policies established by Commandant of the United States Coast Guard.

Each of us have also volunteered and made a conscious choice to serve our country. It is this volunteer spirit, this commitment to country, which makes America great.

Semper paratus.

Respectfully,

Gus Formato

Gus Formato

District Chief of Staff,

First District Southern Region

District Chief of Staff's Message

OVER THE BOW Summer 2016