ALAMEDA, Calif. — Mayor of Alameda and local Coast Guard crews visited over 500 students at Bay Farm School Tuesday to educate children and teachers about the Coast Guard's missions and operations.
During the event, students were able to rotate through stations where they learned further information about the different Coast Guard's careers, missions and capabilities. They were also able to watch a search and rescue demonstration conducted by Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco, climb aboard Coast Guard small boats, meet a recruiter and several Coast Guard K-9s and handlers.
"These Coast Guard events are a small part of saying thank you to the school, staff, community and children who make our experience here so positive," said Cmdr. Samson Stevens, event coordinator and executive officer for Coast Guard Maritime Intelligence Fusion Center Pacific Area Command. "It's also a way to give kids of all ages an up close and personal vantage point to understand what their Coast Guard does for them and the nation and spark interest in serving our country."
"There were over 30 Coast Guard personnel whose children attend the school, including my own," said Lt. Gerard Wenk, event coordinator and executive officer for Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team 91105 San Francisco. "An event like this is always a great opportunity for Coast Guard members and families within the Bay Area to get together to educate students about our missions and opportunities."
"This is wonderful, not everyone knows that we are a Coast Guard city," said Alameda Mayor Trish Herrera Spencer. "It's great that we can have an event like this that really says who we are as a community."
Bay Farm Elementary is part of Partnership in Education Program. PIE allows the Coast Guard to enhance educational opportunities and career awareness for the nation’s youth through direct participation in education related programs. All members of the Coast Guard family, including active duty, reserve, auxiliary, civilian and retirees are encouraged to participate in school and community activities