The Coast Guard rescued a man and his dog off the coast of Sanibel this afternoon

[FelineOverlord]

Christy Soto
@christysotonews
The Coast Guard saved a man & his dog off the coast of Sanibel this afternoon during Hurricane #Helene. #Breaking @NBC2
@USCGSoutheast


Photo Credit: USCG

Link to tweet

[royable]

1. a powerful photo.

[usonian]

2. I am so proud of the Coasties.

50 years after I served.

[littlemissmartypants]

5. USCG daughter here. Daddy served over thirty years.

He would have stayed longer but he was told he had to shave off his beard. He said he couldn't be a ship's captain and a sailor without a beard so he put in for retirement. But I know he didn't want to leave.

I can't remember exactly but I think it was thirty three years total. It was a wonderful life.

He passed away not long ago. I miss him every day.

[usonian]

8. You must be so proud.

After many years, I decided to grow a short beard to prevent ingrown hairs, and I seen to recall exceptions for such reasons. But that was a very long time ago.

Semper Paratus!
🛟 A life well spent. ⚓️

I went into optics, aerospace, electronics and computing after my enlistment. Never a dull minute. Not even in retirement.

[littlemissmartypants]

10. Every day. He was the best Daddy. I miss hearing his sea stories. I miss how he called me darlin'. I miss so many things

about him. Before he died he gave me all of his awards and commendations. He even gave me his sword. Even though I was his adopted daughter he trusted me with all of it over his own real daughter.

After retirement he volunteered for thirty more years. He was an intelligent, humble, hard working, fun and extremely compassionate southern gentleman.

The only other person I can think of to compare him to is President Carter and that's no exaggeration.

Here's a little bit of the story...

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1285768

Thanks so much for your reply, usonian. Semper Paratus! ❤️

[usonian]

14. What an awesome guy!

My short enlistment earned me two medals that will go to my daughter.

I thought for sure that she would become an oceanographer, but she is so smart that I applaud every decision she makes.

I need to share more of my stories with my daughter. Besides being a smart worker, I had me some fun. One day, a short-timer buddy and I were walking on the base when a chief spotted us. Looked at Gilbert and tore him a new one. "That uniform is a disgrace, and I'm marching you to the base barber right now". He then stared at me up and down, and finally said "That rain cover in your cap is non-regulation. Get rid of it!" Ha, Ha, I was so squared away! That day, anyway.

But of all my achievements in life, what gives me the most satisfaction is all that I did to raise her, including the long move-in and move-out drives to San Diego, carrying stuff up 4 flights of stairs in one dorm with no elevator. How could that be? I had some stamina. Then! What is it with elevators? We commisioned one base earlier, and 4 of us would carry steelcase desks up the stairs. Other tasks were easier.

And beers off-base were cheap.

Still having fun! Anecdote: we visited the USS Potomac, FDR's floating White House, now berthed in Jack London Square (and sea-worthy). It was originally a Coast Guard cutter. USCGC Electra

My photo.


Wikipedia's photo.

[littlemissmartypants]

17. Thanks so much for sharing this. ❤️

[usonian]

18. Sorry it was all about me, but I don't know your dad, and it's up to you to share his sea stories.

At least I don't think I knew about him.

Do share if you like. Sea stories are great.

My hi-jinks were mostly in high tech and university work.

Carry on!

[The_REAL_Ecumenist]

11. You are truly blessed because Heaven "assigned" a beautifully loving Daddy....& based on my own experience, (clinically

dead for 45 minutes=3 NDE's), one day, you'll see your papa again, wrapped again in his loving arms reminding you just how deeply he loves you.

[littlemissmartypants]

13. Thank you so much! ❤️

[Dem2theMax]

3. The photo is great.

However, I think in that moment, if I were that man, what would be running through my head is, 'why are you taking a photo NOW?'

Thank goodness they were saved!

Yay for the Coast Guard!

[usonian]

9. All the services have photographers, for documentation and sometimes publicity.

I am sure that there were enough hands on board for the rescue.

[bluboid]

4. that is absolutely heroic!

[StarryNite]

6. This is so amazing.

[soandso]

7. Thanks for the photo

I heard that reported on one of the live streams but had not seen them. I hope that man learned his lesson about paying attention to hurricane forecasts and keeps his ass out of the water next time. Bless that precious doggie. I'm so glad they didn't die out there.

[femmedem]

12. There's a video of the rescue here:

https://www.wtsp.com/video/weather/hurricane/hurricane-helene-rescue-sanibel-island-man-dog/67-d4c2ab76-c2e2-4419-93b0-78911e831e03

[democratsruletheday]

15. Hate to be a buzz killer in this thread BUT....

any good Sailor checks the weather before he/she goes out. He made a big mistake and it almost cost him his life. Glad he's ok obviously, and his pooch too.

[JanMichael]

16. Did he intentionally go out in a boat in a hurricane?

If so take the dog away. Also he needs to pay for the rescue.

Unless of course this was just some random thing that he was walking his dog and the wind blew them into the Gulf.