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Rural_Progressive

(1,105 posts)

30. I was a rescue swimmer on the Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell (WHEC719)

Reply to mercuryblues (Reply #3)

Sun Jul 28, 2019, 07:35 PM

Jul 2019

long, long time ago. I will tell you that going in the water in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea is an exhilarating experience and not for the faint of heart. Fortunately we never had a helo miss the landing pad or any crew members end up overboard but the old man did love his drills so I got to know what really, really cold water feels like on a regular basis.

Well done young men and Semper paratus to Walter!!

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34 replies

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Highlight:

4 American brothers swim an hour to rescue 6 year old girl swept out to sea in Ireland [View all] Amaryllis Jul 2019 OP

Humanity can be beautiful mcar Jul 2019 #1

And don't we appreciate stories like that to remind us in the midst of ....well, you know. Amaryllis Jul 2019 #2

Well Stated! N/C busterbrown Jul 2019 #18

What are the odds mercuryblues Jul 2019 #3

I LOVE stories that defy the odds. They bring a sense of wonder, awe and gratitude. Amaryllis Jul 2019 #5

++++++++ agree. iluvtennis Jul 2019 #14

I was a rescue swimmer on the Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell (WHEC719) Rural_Progressive Jul 2019 #30

You made me cry. sheshe2 Jul 2019 #4

That is just an amazing story of courage and humanity. smirkymonkey Jul 2019 #6

I was just thinking the same thing. Aristus Jul 2019 #8

Thank you, Amaryllis. brer cat Jul 2019 #7

That was exactly my thought when I posted it. I think I am only going to post uplifting threads Amaryllis Jul 2019 #9

Bra-vo to that! SMC22307 Jul 2019 #11

It's a beautiful story, and wonderful but RVN VET71 Jul 2019 #10

Read it again. The grandfather's brother drowned 64 years ago. (n/t) SMC22307 Jul 2019 #12

The recently deceased grandfather's BROTHER drowned 64 years ago. (nt) thesquanderer Jul 2019 #13

My bad. RVN VET71 Jul 2019 #21

Because he fell into a vat of whiskey, and had a lot of fight in him jberryhill Jul 2019 #29

I love this story! backtoblue Jul 2019 #15

Your comment really applies to both stories! Amaryllis Jul 2019 #16

I have been there GETPLANING Jul 2019 #17

Most Americans. Duppers Jul 2019 #20

Lucky they were athletic and trained swimmers. LisaL Jul 2019 #22

I love stories like this. betsuni Jul 2019 #19

4 real life heros. Hope they're getting lots of free rounds in the pubs. n/t Liberal In Texas Jul 2019 #23

Such wonderful young men GeoWilliam750 Jul 2019 #24

They actually rescued the girl's father, too, who tried to swim out after her but ended up tblue37 Jul 2019 #25

Finally a glimmer of hope for mankind . . . Iliyah Jul 2019 #26

Wonderful story. All are safe. The good deed was done. n/t Eyeball_Kid Jul 2019 #27

GREAT! elleng Jul 2019 #28

They will get free beer forever in Ireland. nt NCjack Jul 2019 #33

Well THAT's true, and maybe in northern Virginia, and MD suburbs of DC! elleng Jul 2019 #34

This is the kind of story that makes me proud to be an American. elocs Jul 2019 #31

This is an inspiring story Ferrets are Cool Jul 2019 #32