RESERVIST MAGAZINE FROM OUR READERS When you feel like running I read with great interest, the article about the Algonquin 50k ultra-marathon run written by Petty Officer Schlicht and Chief Strickland (Issue 2 , 2021). The article concludes by saying, "Come join us.” I would like to contact them, and talk to each about running the race. Petty Officer 3rd Class Greg Emde, USCGR (ret.) Glad you liked the article! I spoke with Petty Officer Schlicht, and he told me, “I’ve had a few folks already reach out to me on this. This race literally sells out within a few hours of posting, and there’s usually a wait list; however, folks typically drop out, so there’s a pretty good chance at getting in. The website is www. ultrasignup.com.” The gift of life We received this letter regarding an article from the last issue on Lt. Talbert’s bone marrow donation: Appalachian Trail (Georgia to Maine). Tom is a very humble guy and would never publicize this, even though he was a public affairs specialist. I am sure he would make interesting press. Thanks for your consideration. Master Chief Petty Officer Bill Dikun, USCGR (ret.) Thanks, Master Chief! I have been following his progress as well [through social media]. I worked closely with Master Chief Cowan for years—he’s a rare gem, a chief’s chief—so I’d be glad to show him off to the world. BACK ON THE BEAT A NEW PROGRAM ADDS SMALL DETACHMENTS OF RESERVISTS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENTS OF LARGE COAST GUARD BASES Volume LXVIII � Issue 2 • 2021 100 years of great chiefs We received this letter about another publication, but we're running it “Lt. Talbert. Congrats—you make us proud, shipmate! I was honored and enjoyed working with you as the Sector Southeast New England Silver Badge. As a reservists, we 100% rely on people like you who support the Reserve program the way you do! Keep up the great work!” Senior Chief Petty Officer Bryan Mastrangelo Station Jones Beach, New York I just read the article about Lt. Darnell Talbert. I want to share my story and ask that you pass this along to him. I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2013 and received a bone marrow transplant from an anonymous donor. Eight years later, I’m doing well and collecting my NYPD and Coast Guard Reserve pensions. I was able to contact my donor—she lives in Oklahoma and was 21 when she donated. I’m now 66. She and her husband visited me and my family in 2015, and we have been in touch ever since. I just want to thank the lieutenant for making a difference in someone’s life. We are all very proud of him and wish him the best going forward. Petty Officer 1st Class Jack LaTorre, USCGR (ret.) Indeed—the gift of life is precious, and we were honored to recognize Lt. Talbert as an outstanding human being! Taking a hike I just wanted to pass on to the editorial staff that my friend and colleague, Master Chief Petty Officer Thomas Cowan (ret.) just completed a 145-day, 14-state, 2193-mile hike of the 2 RESERVIST � Issue 3 • 2021 here, since we advertised the same project: The Retiree Newsletter of October-December 2019 reference[d] 100 Great Coast Guard Chiefs in 100 years. I replied on behalf of Chief Petty Officer Irving Heller, who is now retired. We understood a result was expected May 18, 2020. Please advise the status. Thank you again for the current edition of Reservist. Capt. Richard H. Plager, USCGR (ret.) I understand you submitted a candidate for the “100 Great Coast Guard Chiefs in 100 Years” project run by Master Chief Petty Officer A.J. Pulkkinen. Chief Irving Heller sounds like a perfect choice; when you mentioned he was crucial to your successful career, it struck a chord in me. I also submitted a chief to the project: my mentor, Master Chief Petty Officer Buck Ward. So many of us in the Coast Guard can think back and remember a great chief who touched our careers, guided our footsteps—that crucial mentor who shared their knowledge and their time. This project was started in 2019 as a tribute to those members, and it was slated to be completed in time for the 100th anniversary celebration of the chief petty officer rank in 2020. But, as we can all attest, 2020 was the year that changed a lot of things. In speaking with Master Chief Pulkkinen, I learned that, unfortunately, this was one of the projects that had to be abandoned when our great chiefs mess turned their efforts instead to supporting our Coast Guardsmen through a challenging time. On behalf of Master Chief Pulkkinen, thank you for your submission, and thank you for recognizing Chief Heller, who for four decades served his country as a Coast Guardsman and his community as a police officer. (Update: I’ve reached out to him, and I’m sure this story will be in our November issue. Stay tuned!)
