PSU draws crowds at LA Fleet Week 2019 Story and photos by Lt. Cmdr. Kyle Stone Excited crowds, fascinating military equipment and first responder displays filled Los Angeles’ Fleet Week 2019, which kicked off August 30, 2019, in San Pedro, Calif. In its fourth year, the event drew over 100,000 visitors during the Labor Day weekend event. Organizers touted the Navy ships and Coast Guard cutters as the biggest attractions, but Port Security Unit 311 attracted large crowds of its own. Adults and children excitedly toured a transportable port security boat and learned firsthand about the green side of the Coast Guard, and how the nation's Coast Guard PSUs are a ready, relevant and responsive component of national defense. Visitors learned about the TPSB capabilities and the mounted automatic weapons. The days were hot, but the lines at PSU 311's static displays remained long. Nonetheless, the professionalism, responsiveness and attention to detail by the PSU 311 members who planned, prepared, delivered, presented and secured the display continued. The commanding officer of PSU 311, Capt. Leila Grassley, thanked her crew. "There was a line out the door all weekend long to visit the display,” said Grassley. “Thanks for showcasing the Coast Guard to the general public so well, both our capabilities and our professionalism." A Call to Serve in Raleigh, N.C. In May, the Executive Mansion in Raleigh, N.C., hosted a formal armed forces enlistment ceremony. "I Answered the Call to Serve" is Raleigh's first annual enlistment ceremony in conjunction with Armed Forces Day. Government officials, military members and the public gathered to celebrate those who are answering their nation's call to service for the first time and those who are formally renewing their oaths for reenlistment. Seaman Monika Leach, who enlisted in the Coast Guard Reserve, took her oath of enlistment in the presence of hundreds of participants, dignitaries and military members, provided by Lt. j.g. Jake McAllister, another Coast Guard reservist. Leach, a native of Poland, met her husband, Aaron, while he was serving in the Army. She works as a sales services analyst and an emergency German and Polish translator in the Charlotte area. "One of the first things I wanted to do once I got citizenship was to sign up and serve this country,” said Leach. “I knew I wanted to do something." Leach graduated from boot camp July 12, and she was slated to attend boatswain’s mate "A"-school. Petty Officer 2nd Class Tisha Buelto, Lt.j.g. McAllister, Seaman Monika Leach Issue 2 • 2019 � RESERVIST 19
