Petty Officer 1st Class Kyle Smith coordinated with the National Park Service and some active duty members from Station Gulfport to conduct a clean-up effort of Fort Massachusetts, located on Ship Island, about 10 miles off of the coast of Mississippi. Southern hospitality: PSU 308 volunteers in Southern Mississippi By Lt. Cmdr. Dominic Traina, Port Security Unit 308 The inspiring World War II British statesman, Winston Churchill, said, “You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.” For the past several years Port Security Unit 308 in Kiln, Mississippi, has certainly embraced this ethic. The driving force behind their efforts has been Petty Officer 1st Class Kyle Smith. Smith has coordinated and participated in several “Touch-A- Truck” annual events that take place throughout Southern Mississippi. These annual events attract thousands of adults and children who get a chance to explore vehicles of all types—public service, emergency, construction, delivery and military vehicles. The PSU’s 32-foot transportable port security boats are one of the main attractions at these events, and it’s an excellent opportunity for us to showcase our unit and the Coast Guard. The Touch-A-Truck events promote literacy throughout the local community, providing books to kids under five through the Imagination Library. In the past few years, Smith and many other PSU 308 members have generously given up off duty hours to mentor and instruct the local U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps. The cadets have spent weekends at the unit over the last three summers where they’re instructed on land navigation, chart plotting, entry control points, officer presence, communications, and weapons systems. The cadets and their chaperons are always grateful for the use of the facilities and the dedication and enthusiasm of our personnel. Our members have also participated in local job fairs, setting up static displays, and working alongside recruiters out of Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans. This coordinated effort has successfully recruited several members to the unit. These events primarily take place at community colleges, introducing local students to opportunities in the Coast Guard. Most recently Smith coordinated with the National Park Petty Officer 1st Class Kyle Smith and many other PSU 308 members generously give up off duty hours to mentor and instruct the local U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps on land navigation, chart plotting, entry control points, officer presence, communications, and weapons systems. 12 RESERVIST � Issue 3 • 2022 Service and some active duty members from Station Gulfport to conduct a clean-up effort of Fort Massachusetts, located on Ship Island, about 10 miles off of the coast of Mississippi. Following the devastating impact of Hurricane Ida, this local attraction was in dire need of a clean-up crew. Smith led a team of 20 members who cleaned up the fort and beach area in preparation for the busy summer season. For his efforts, his selflessness and his generous spirit, he was awarded the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. “BM1 Smith is an ideal recipient of this award,” said PSU 308’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Paul Green. “His dedication and tenacious commitment to the local community is an inspiration to us all.” Although he’s departing the unit, we hope to continue the efforts he started in community outreach; his enthusiasm has certainly been contagious. �
