UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY UNOFFICIAL NEWSLETTER

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UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY UNOFFICIAL NEWSLETTER

Chapter in Coast Guard History Closing - Three of CG Eight Siblings Retire
U. S. Coast Guard
July 9, 2003

NEW YORK -- They've rescued sailors lost in perilous seas, busted drug runners and mustered forces to respond to countless natural and man-made disasters – the September 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the devastating Hurricane Hugo and the fatal crash of TWA Flight 800, to name a few.

They've also been in charge of major U.S. ports, warships, military aircraft and small boat rescue crews. They've held titles like law enforcement agent, medic, teacher, pilot and commanding officer.

They are the Seebalds – eight brothers and sisters who've all served in the U.S. Coast Guard for, at present count, more than 120 years of combined service. When the last two siblings to join were sworn in 13 years ago, the admiral that presided over the ceremony in their hometown of Buffalo, N.Y., informed them that they were the largest immediate family to serve in one armed force in the United States. Then-Mayor James Griffin also proclaimed the date as Seebald Day in Buffalo.

Three of the remaining four Seebalds still in the Coast Guard will retire together in a ceremony July 11th in Chicago.

Capt. Raymond Seebald is the senior of the three, in his 26th year of service. He is the Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Marine Safety Office in Chicago, and the Captain of the Port of Chicago. His career highlights include serving as a White House aide, acting as the last U.S. representative to the Panama Canal Authority during the canal's transition of ownership and developing post-9/11 anti-terrorism plans.

Cmdr. Edward Seebald is retiring after 20 years of service, from his current post in Manhattan as the director of 3,800 Coast Guard Auxiliarists, members of the volunteer arm of the Coast Guard.

Edward used the skills of these volunteers to mount a response to assist New York City firefighters and police officers during and after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York. He's also the Seebald with the most sea time – 9 ½ years spent on four Coast Guard Cutters. Both Raymond and Edward have also traveled the world to give training to foreign navies and other foreign government agencies.

Petty Officer 1st Class Theresa Seebald has served the Coast Guard for 13 years as a medical technician. She was one of the first people to respond to the tragic crash of TWA Flight 800, where she was charged with the daunting task of setting up a temporary morgue for recovered victims. She also served at the health clinic for the Coast Guard's boot camp and was an instructor at a treatment center for recovering drug abusers and alcoholics.

Raymond, Edward and Theresa will leave their brother, Matthew, to carry the torch as the last of the Seebald siblings remaining in the service. Matthew currently serves at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington.

The other four Seebald siblings are Richard, Joseph, Marilyn and Barbara. Richard was medically discharged from the Coast Guard Academy after undergoing surgery for a brain tumor – he died a few years later due to complications. Joseph, a former Coast Guard C-130 Hercules pilot, retired a few years ago and is now an airline pilot. Joseph also helped Edward in Manhattan with the response to the 9/11 attacks. Marilyn played a critical role in the design of the uniforms for Coast Guard women – she now owns a daycare center outside Buffalo. Barbara was a driver for one of the service's Vice Commandants, and also worked for the Coast Guard Investigative Service, and currently lives in Maryland.

Brother Matthew is not alone in his service – a second generation of Seebalds has also maintained the family ties to the Coast Guard. Marilyn's son Christopher is a cadet at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. Barbara's three sons also served in the Coast Guard. One, tragically, was killed in the line of duty during a search and rescue mission. A Seebald cousin, Capt. Mary Landry, is the commanding officer of the Coast Guard's marine safety office in Providence, R.I., and is Captain of the Port of Providence.

We Need You -- The Coast Guard Auxiliary is called upon to provide essential services to the Coast Guard as they focus more heavily on their military missions. We need all the help we can get. You needn't own a boat or be an experienced boater, since our missions are wide-ranging. For information about Auxiliary missions and the Auxiliary in general, go to our Join the Auxiliary web page. You will find there a form through which you can ask that a local Auxiliarist make contact with you to explore the ways in which you can assist Team Coast Guard.

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