MILITARY MATTERS

MONTHLY REPORT FROM KEY WEST’S MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

Each month, Key West Military Affairs Committee recognizes the best of the best personnel serving in local military activities.

The committee this month recognized two “one of ones” in the United States Coast Guard (USCG): The Gold Ancient Mariner and the Military Times’ 2023 Coast Guardsman of the Year.

Gold Ancient Mariner Award

The Gold Ancient Mariner title honors the Coast Guard officer with the most sea time across the entire Coast Guard and recognizes the service and sacrifice of a successful and distinguished career afloat.

Captain Patrick Culver has held that title since July 17, 2020, and will hold it until he relinquishes it just prior to retirement.

Culver has served as Coast Guard Liaison to Joint Interagency Task Force South in Key West since June 2020, currently under the direction of Commander USCG Atlantic Area and Commander USCG District 7.

His flagship was USCG Cutter James, where he commanded a flotilla of seven major cutters to address migrant interdiction. He achieved a 93% interdiction rate while serving as commodore. He spoke to MAC about his colorful and successful career climbing the enlisted ranks to captain while living the Coast Guard dream since enlisting in 1981. He first served in Key West in 1995, advancing to Chief Quartermaster in 1997, becoming a Lieutenant in the Conch Republic Navy in 1998 and commissioning to Chief Warrant Officer (BOSN) in 1998.

Culver and wife Jennifer have become part of the community and can often be spotted taking part in support activities in the community like Soldier Ride and local fundraisers. We wish them both fair winds and following seas at retirement this June.

MILITARY TIMES’ 2023 U.S. COAST GUARDSMAN OF THE YEAR

Lieutenant Chelsea Sheehy was recently chosen from 41,700 active-duty Coast Guard members as the Military Times Foundation’s Coast Guardsman of the Year. This is attributed to her service while assigned at USCG Sector Key West as Commanding Officer of the USCG Cutter Charles Sexton. The formal ceremony will take place July 18 in Washington, D.C.

Sheehy graduated from the USCG Academy in 2014, went on to serve as Deck Watch Officer aboard USCG Cutter Confidence in Cape Canaveral, Florida, then Executive Officer USCGC Galveston Island in Honolulu from 2016 to 2018. She then was assigned to USCG Office of Congressional and Government Affairs from 2018 to 2021, serving as administrative officer before going on to serve as a USCG Fellow for Sen. Rick Scott. She then reported to Key West to assume command of USCG Charles Sexton in July 2021. The Military Times’ Service Member of the Year program honors outstanding military members from each branch who have demonstrated exemplary military service going beyond the call of duty.

Lt. Sheehy’s service as commanding officer of the 154-foot fast response USCGC Charles Sexton earned her this distinction. Her accomplishments with deployments to combat illicit trafficking, conduct rescue missions, promote cooperation with interagency partners between the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico are just a few of the examples that put her on top of the competition.

MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE SPECIAL PRESENTATION

Sheriff Rick Ramsay is a positional member of MAC and works closely with military leadership to keep them informed on important law enforcement issues that could affect military service members and operations in Monroe County.

At the April meeting, Ramsay presented MAC with a $5,000 check to further its military support initiatives. This funding is from nontaxpayer funds seized during drug busts.

MONTH OF THE MILITARY CHILD, “PURPLE UP!”

April is “Month of the Military Child” and president Ron Demes gave a presentation honoring military children this month. The White House proclamation signed by President Biden on March 31 is to “honor the over 2 million children of our service members and veterans, whose support and sacrifice help keep our military strong and our Nation secure. These young Americans already understand what it means to serve, shouldering the unique demands of military life with courage and tenacity.” The proclamation goes on to say, “I call upon the people of the United States to honor the children of our service members and veterans with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I also encourage Americans everywhere to find ways to support military-connected children, including by wearing purple during the month of April in honor of their service.” Keeping with this year’s theme, all MAC members were encouraged to support this effort and “Purple Up.” — Contributed

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