CGEA Returns to Tampa Bay!
Story and photo by PA3 Sondra-Kay Kneen PADET St. Petersburg, Fla.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- The crowd struggles to form a line but ends up in a disarrayed mob. As their excitement grows, shouts of encouragement and mockery get louder with each missed target. The next ball thrown is off about an inch to the right, and the crowd groans with disappointment as the proud officer shouts antagonizing comments at the eager group.
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| ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- A member of the Coast Guard Enlisted Association participates in a dunk tank contest, held during the Enlisted Association Kick-Off celebration at Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg. Capt. Elisabeth A. Pepper, Deputy Commander of Sector St. Petersburg, waits to be dunked as the member throws another ball at the target. Coast Guard photograph by PA3 Sondra-Kay Kneen. |
On Aug. 9, a Coast Guard Enlisted Association (CGEA) ‘Kick Off' celebration was held at Sector St. Petersburg in St. Petersburg. Barbecued lunches, raffles, a dunk tank, sports, karaoke, games, and water balloon wars were on the list of activities for CGEA members, their family, and friends to enjoy.
The CGEA is a non-profit organization, formed in the early 1990's under the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer's Association (CGCPOA). The CGEA provides enlisted members the opportunity to help other enlisted members in various ways, including keeping them informed of Coast Guard issues, and helping members to advance professionally, and assisting members and dependents when in need of support.
"The CGEA is a way to help our fellow shipmates, command and community," said Petty Officer 1st Class Heather Norman, president of the Coast Guard Enlisted Association Tampa Bay Branch (CGEA TBB).
The CGEA TBB was first established in the late 1990's, and then later fell apart due to a lack of member involvement. It was re-established this year having almost a 10-year gap. Norman began working on re-establishing the CGEA TBB in February, and it became finalized in late March.
"It's going to take every member of the CGEA to keep the branch alive and active," said Norman.
Members pay $24 for a one-year membership. The money that is raised goes to the CGEA national branch to keep local branches running. Personnel who advance to the rank of Chief Petty Officer can have their payment carried over into the CGCPOA. According to Norman, the money raised at the events goes to the CGEA to help members and future events.
"The experience is great. The CGEA gives enlisted members the opportunity to communicate and depend on fellow shipmates," said Fireman Timothy J. Cullen, a member of the CGEA for eight months.
The CGEA is open to all military members E-6 and below, active-duty, retired, reserve, and those who have been honorably discharged.
Spouses, children, and friends are also welcome to join and be listed as honorary members.
"The CGEA is a fun way to involve your family and show them the jobs and people of the Coast Guard," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Michele L. Serrano, secretary of the CGEA TBB.
Currently, the CGEA TBB has about 40 members. Individuals interested in becoming a CGEA TBB member can contact MST1 Heather Norman at (727) 824-7630 or Ray Sorensen at (727) 631-5161.
If you are not in the Tampa Bay area and would like to join the CGEA, you can visit http://www.uscgcpoa.org/index.htm.
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