Headed to Yorktown, VA on a beautiful day.
Spending a day playing out on Cape Cod Bay back in the Summer of 2008.
Emily Johnson, the first graduate from the Coast Guard Auxiliary program at The College of William and Mary, and I are photographed on the banks of the James River for William and Mary News just before graduation, Spring 2009.
I (in uniform, on the left) attended Moment of Remembrance held by the William and Mary Veterans Society with several of our Coast Guard Auxiliary students. My friends Deadre Henderson, Lance Zaal, Josh Lawton, and John Miller (a Coast Guard reservist and W&M professor) each spoke of their memories and experiences. A very nice event, April 2009.
An older photo that I am just now posting, I presented Emily Johnson with a "Plank Owner" certificate. She was among the first students to enroll (and the first to graduate from) the Coast Guard Auxiliary Detachment at The College of William and Mary. Members of the first "crew" to stand up any Coast Guard unit, station, or ship become the "Plank Owners" of that unit. Photo Credit to Stephen Salpukas, The College of William and Mary
New York City sponsored a call to service campaign this past summer and into the Fall (and perhaps continues, but I have not been there since September). Billboard advertisements, such as the one I snapped in the photo seen here, suggested to all who passed that "Everybody's got something to offer," and that service is really about finding what it is that you love and that you are good at, and then donating that passion to serve the public need.
Aboard the United States Naval Hospital Ship, USNS Comfort, in Baltimore Harbor, October 2009
A team-signed Red Sox Jersey hangs proudly in one of the passageways aboard the United States Naval Hospital Ship, USNS Comfort, in Baltimore Harbor, October 2009
The National Cathedral in Washington, DC on November 8, 2009
Inside the National Cathedral in Washington, DC on November 8, 2009
Inside the National Cathedral (looking from the altar back through the Nave) in Washington, DC on November 8, 2009
LCDR John Logan, Chaplain, CHC, USN -- a former Coast Guard Auxiliarist from Michigan -- and me at the Marine Corps Service inside the National Cathedral in Washington, DC on November 8, 2009.
Lance Zaal, former USMC Sergeant and a fellow alumnus from The College of William and Mary, and me (Andrew Welch, USCGAux), at the Marine Corps Service at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. November 8, 2009.
Darren Lewis at PodCamp during the U.S. Coast Guard Innovation Expo 2009, November 17.This photo came from Twitter -- if the photographer wants to take credit, get in touch; I'll be happy to list you.
The Wren, my choice from among the finalists for new mascot at The College of William and Mary. Copyright is, of course, noted on the image, which was originally published by The College at http://www.wm.edu/about/mascot/.
I spent the day discussing Marine Environmental Protection in the Coast Guard with students from Berkeley Springs High School in Berkeley Springs, WV. It had been years since I was back at my high school alma mater, but it was great to see the place renovated and much improved, and great to meet some of its current students. Many thanks to great hosts for the invitation!
Pete -- the youngest brother -- was the only one missing from what is becoming the annual just after Christmas family gathering.
I was not expecting this snippet sent to me from the local newspaper a few days after I spent a December day back in Berkeley Springs, WV discussing marine environmental protection with high schoolers at my high school alma mater. It is a testament, I suppose, to and aspect of living or growing up in a small town.
I was reunited with shipmates, three of my former students of mine in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary program at The College of William and Mary, over New Years 09/10. Left to right: Mike Piantedosi transferred to the Coast Guard Academy, where he was finishing his second semester during Spring 2010; Christian Fitzsimmons enlisted in the Marine Corps, and was about to head to the Defense Language Institute when this photo was taken; Emily Johnson continued in the USCG Auxiliary after she graduated, and is currently assigned as Planning Manager in the University Programs Branch, where she works with me managing the nation-wide program from which she graduated. I am exceedingly proud of all of them, and very appreciative of their continued service.
Several of the greatest friends, from William and Mary, reunited in Washington DC over the holidays, and really just missing the great absent Nicholas Smith.
A Naval Medical Officer (Khaki) shows me (blue) around one of the operating rooms aboard the United States Naval Hospital Ship, USNS Comfort, in Baltimore Harbor, October 2009.
Emily Johnson -- shipmate, colleague, former student, best of friends -- and me at the Change of Watch Dinner (Division 6, Virginia Peninsula) at United States Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown, VA.
A lighter moment at the Change of Watch Dinner (Division 6, Virginia Peninsula) at United States Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown, VA.
I (right) spent the day on January 19 working with about 35 folks on organizational strategic planning.
I spent February 25, 2010 in Martinsburg, WV (about 45 minutes from Berkeley Springs, where I grew up) discussng "new media" over lunch with about 100 folks. I didn't take a photo while I was there, so for my blog post, I turned to Google Maps, street level view, and user contributed photos. An ironic demonstration of the novel ways of connecting with one another that technology has given us. Thanks for having me for lunch, everyone!
Bill Bratton, former Boston/New York/Los Angeles Police Chief, speaks at the Government Security Conference and Expo (GovSec) in Washington, DC on March 23, 2010.
Thanks for the great stories and profiles that I've been able to feature thus far in the regular Monday segment "Heroes in our Midst" at www.andrewdwelch.com (thank you, also, to shose of you who snapped these photos). The segment asks the question "why do you serve," and offers profiles in the good work that people are doing in their community, nation, or around the world. The collage continues to grow...
I spent last week at the Government Security Conference and Expo, meeting a lot of great folks who are working hard to keep our people and many people around the world safe and free from harm. I sat in on an interesting keynote from Bill Bratton, former Boston/NewYork/LosAngeles Police Chief as he discussed Smart Power overseas based on U.S. policing. USIS (http://www.youtube.com/USISsecurity) put together video highlights and posted to YouTube.
The line out front of the Reston Apple Store on the morning of the iPad release (April 3, 2010). The police came too!
The line out front of the Reston Apple Store on the morning of the iPad release (April 3, 2010)
What do the "weak link" connections we form online mean in the context of our relationships in the real world? One man's opinion: no discussion on Twitter can top nine innings of a baseball game with friends.
The best seats at a baseball game (not involving the Red Sox) ever... PNC Diamond Club behind home plate at Nationals Park to see the Phillies. Note the WVU hat worn by the guy in front of us (go Mountaineers!).
Performing vessel examinations.
The cover of the newspaper struck me as amusing. Note the differences in the way President Obama is interacting with each of these world leaders.
The College of William and Mary selected a new mascot. Hmmm?
Construction at the new School of Education at The College of William and Mary
I spent the day yesterday at an event in the Atrium at the Ronald Reagan building (pictured here), a really beautiful and bright venue in downtown Washington, DC.
I spent the day yesterday at the "Excellence in Government Conference" focusing mostly on developing a leadership culture within organizations, but to a lesser extent (at least in the sessions I attended and discussions I had) on citizen engagement through social media, a culture of service, and managing actual change in the way the the federal government does business.
Jen and I were guests at the Special Forces Dinner Dance at the Army Navy Country Club, spending the evening with the Army.
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I visited the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC on Memorial Day, May 31, 2010. I've been there many times before, but this quote etched into one of the walls stuck in my mind.
I gave my grandfather a tour of the iPad at a family gathering recently. He loved it -- imagine what he has seen in his lifetime. I will remember a times before and after the great inventions of the last ten years, but my nieces will barely (or never) remember life without them.
Carolyn Olsen, our University Programs Logistics Officer, and I brief Admiral Papp, Commandant, at a conference in Arizona.
With Admiral Papp, USCG Commandant, at the cocktail reception before the banquet at NACON 2010 in Scottsdale, AZ.
With Wilson Riggan, Chief of Air Operations, at a NACON in Phoenix, August 2010.
Celebrating the 235th birthday of the United States Marine Corps with a traditional cake cutting with the former Marines at the USIS office where I spend most of my days.
The U.S. Coast Guard Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, 11 November 2010, just before the Coast Guard ceremony on Veterans Day.
Andrew Welch, Flotilla Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Northern Virginia
Ken Doyle, Vice Flotilla Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Northern Virginia
Pushing cars up West Park Drive in Tysons Corner, VA during a snow storm on 26 January 2011.
Apple's website the day that Steve Jobs died.
