Following the ceremony, please join us back at the museum for the presentation of the Staton Award for outstanding volunteer contribution. This year, we are delighted to recognize Michael DiBartolomeo, Executive Petty Officer at Coast Guard Station Point Allerton for his enduring dedication and good humor in providing breeches buoy drills for hundreds of school and summer camp children. Please join us for a delicious summer brunch, the Staton Award presentation, and a fun look back at a year in the life of the HLM.
Press Release
Ancient Keeper Tom Guthlein
The museum crew could not have been more thrilled to learn that Thomas Guthlein of Coast Guard Station Point Allerton will be the next recipient of the Coast Guard’s prestigious Joshua James Ancient Keeper Award. Chief Warrant Officer Kevin Galvin, the current Ancient Keeper, will be retiring after a distinguished career that has included more than 26 years at boat force units.The Joshua James Ancient Keeper Award is presented to a Coast Guard member on active duty in recognition of longevity and outstanding performance in boat operations. The award’s namesake, Hull’s own Joshua James, is the most celebrated lifesaver in Coast Guard history with 626 lives saved. Only those who exemplified the fine traits of maritime professionalism and leadership were appointed Keepers. The Ancient Keeper represents all those who continue to live by the creed of those that served before them. They continue to go to the seas rocky realm at the extreme peril of their own lives, in pursuit of the safety and security of others in performance of our Coast guard missions. Chief Warrant Officer Tom Guthlein has distinguished himself over a 32 year Coast Guard career. In his years at Point Allerton, he has been a most wonderful friend to the Hull Lifesaving Museum, lending a hand along with his crew on countless volunteer projects from painting the exhibit space to rigging the breeches buoy or helping out with on the water events. We will miss him dearly as he moves on to Coast Guard Station Castle Hill, RI. While Tom has mentioned some objection to the “ancient” part, we cannot imagine a more deserving Ancient Keeper. We think Joshua James would approve!
