ROCKLAND — The 13th annual Coast Guard Appreciation dinner may have followed the same format as previous years, yet, several aspects made this dinner particularly notable.

And, we’re not just talking about the toddler who wandered on stage to the applause of many, or the deviation from previous spousal pinnings now replaced with flower distributions.

In keeping with tradition, this year’s Dinner, held Friday, May 3, at the Elk’s Club, recognized – in a formal, yet casual setting – the contributions and leadership provided by the Guard.

Yet, in the midst of eye-rolling cupcake enjoyment and spirited competitive joking, there came subtle acknowledgments of the Coasties’ place in the community, and Rockland’s place as a Coast Guard City.

This year marks the first year that an admiral has attended the dinner. Rear Admiral Andrew Tiongson, commander of the First District, Northern New England sector, talked humbly about the region’s support for crew members during the government shutdown – a subject Tiongson said he normally tries to avoid, preferring to move beyond it. 

But, in this case, he recognized the 35-day period since “it happened here,” he said.

Locally, Shelby Riley raised $100,000 to help the temporary residents who aid the sea-based community and it’s “best cruising waters around,” as Chris Rector referred to the local shoreline.

Riley started a Facebook campaign and encouraged her co-workers to share through their private pages. Within 20 minutes, the donations – cash, gas cards, grocery cards – began to accumulate. That dollar figure has been added to other fundraiser and donation amounts throughout the Northern New England District for a total of $1.3 million donated unselfishly to coastal protectors.

Tiongson told personnel that if they ever thought that their service doesn’t resonate with the people that they serve, they were wrong.

“That outpouring of support was incredible,” he said. “It was awesome.”

Rockland, as the eighth Coast Guard City, out of 26 cities nationwide, continues to impress with its dinners, its golf tournament, and its acceptance of the constant change-over of new comers wearing the Guard colors.

Simply being designated a Coast Guard City once doesn’t mean forever. Every five years, Rockland must meet a broad range of criteria. At the dinner, committee volunteers and Rockland officials received recertification for its third term.

“The city of Rockland truly epitomizes what I think it means to be a Coast Guard City,” he said. “The sense of community. I’m feeling it right now, and it is strong.”

And, though City status may not last forever, the newly designated Chief Warrant Officer Ken Black Enlisted Person of the Year Award might. Each year, the local units select an enlisted person for the Enlisted Person of the Year award. This year’s awardee has already been given. Going forward, the award will have Black’s name attached.

“We started naming cutters after enlisted heroes,” said Second Commander Cpt. Brian Lefevre. “It just made sense to us to try to select someone to name our Enlisted Person of the Year Award after.”

Known as Mr. Lighthouse, Black had a big part in making sure the Coast Guard had a home in Rockland, according to Lefevre. In keeping a museum, he and his wife, Dot, also saved Coast Guard artifacts from becoming lost when area lighthouses were decommissioned.

In regards to leadership, Black would tell personnel, “I will teach you to lead, and you will lead,” said Lefevre. “He said it in a stern way, but also in a very compassionate, caring way.”

Black also signed his correspondences “Be neighborly.”

“That’s what this night is all about,” Lefevre said. “It’s about us Coast Guard men and women upholding the public’s trust....and in turn, the city of Rockland and the community are being neighborly to all of you.”