How about a Coast Guard Appreciation Day at Ocean Beach Park? As a beachgoer, I have a suggestion that would enhance revenues at the park, while focusing interest on the capabilities of the U.S. Coast Guard roles and responsibilities.

For 233 years, our Coast Guard has provided astounding and spectacular feats of emergency rescue, drug interdiction and other distress call responses that the general public has never witnessed. During a day in the summer, I propose a live demonstration by the Coast Guard to display their seagoing capabilities right off of center stage in the water at Ocean Beach. Coordination between New London officials and Coast Guard staff would make this an annual event while using it as a training scenario for the Coast Guard.

Mock rescues with helicopters and Coast Guard fast boats interdicting speedy drug runners with fly over by fixed wing airplanes supported by other sea going events that the Coast Guard initiates in all types of weather, 24/7. Coast Guard helicopters on display in the beach lot would familiarize the public with their intricacies. The U.S. Coast Guard Appreciation Day would awe the public, inspire youngsters for a future in the U.S. Coast Guard and boost revenues at Ocean Beach Park.

William Bucko

Uncasville