Investigation continues into death of Coast Guard commanding officer

Commander Keith Willis

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – The investigation into the death of a U.S. Coast Guard cutter’s commanding officer, whose body was found Sunday in his cabin on board the ship while in its homeport of Kittery, Maine, is continuing Monday.

The cause of death for Cmdr. Keith Willis, commanding officer of the 270-foot medium endurance cutter Tahoma, remains unknown.

Willis’ remains were taken ashore Sunday night around 7 p.m. under the care of a 12-person honor guard.

“The honor guard was made up of members of the ship’s crew, including the executive officer, Cmdr. Greg Stanclik,” said Capt. John Davis, chief of the Coast Guard’s Atlantic Area cutter forces staff in Portsmouth, Va.,  “Commander Stanclik has temporarily assumed command of the cutter until a permanent relief can be assigned.”

“The thoughts and prayers of the entire crew are with Commander Willis’ family,” said Stanclik.  “This has been difficult for everyone, but being able to pipe the skipper ashore under appropriate military honors last night meant a lot to everyone.”

Once off the cutter, Willis’ remains were taken to a local funeral home while additional arrangements were coordinated to transport the remains to the medical examiner’s office in Augusta, Maine.  An autopsy is planned to attempt to determine the cause of death.

Willis leaves behind a wife and two children.

Willis, 44, was a native of Frisco, N.C., and had assumed command of the Tahoma in May 2007.  Willis most recently served as the Coast Guard liaison officer to Commander, U.S. Navy Second Fleet, after having served as the assistant Coast Guard liaison officer at U.S. Fleet Forces Command and Joint Forces Command from August 2004 through August 2006.  Willis graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn., in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Government.

The Tahoma is a 270-foot medium endurance cutter home ported at the U.S. Naval Shipyard Portsmouth in Kittery, and was most recently deployed off the New England coast where it conducted various law enforcement and marine safety missions until returning to port Jan. 28.

Keeping Kids Safer

by Crime Watch Contributor

Take time this holiday to visit NetSmartzKids.org with your children.

Tips for Teaching Children How to Use Wireless Devices More Safely
Set appropriate ground rules for your children’s use of wireless devices. Decide who they may communicate with and how they may use these devices.

Monitor your wireless bill to keep track of the amount of time your children spend talking and sending messages and with whom. Pay special attention to numbers or messages from people you do not recognize or have not approved.

Teach your children to tell you if anyone sends them a threatening or frightening message. If your children are being stalked, harassed, or threatened in any way, report the incident to your service provider and local law-enforcement agency. If the material is lewd, obscene, or illegal also report it to www.cybertipline.com or 1-800-843-5678.

Read more…

Does Staged Photo Give Wrong Impression – I guess not

Updated

By Thomas Jackson
Civil Rights Contributor

Based upon Female CG LT’s comment on the original post, I have taken it down.  She’s right, I was wrong and I can admit that.

Her comment now replaces the original post.

Submitted on 2009/02/16 at 11:29am

Female CG LT

Mr. Jackson,

What is the “right message”? I realize that “your” perception is “your” reality. There is nothing wrong with the photo. Why does she have to have a husband or a man in the photo? If she did you would assume it was her husband, it could have been her brother. She should be proud of HER accomplishments. She is an excellent role model for young women. My 12 year old daughter and her friends along with my 62 year old mother didn’t realize that a man wasn’t in the picture when I asked them what was missing. With 22 years in the CG, I am now divorced after 17 years of marriage. If I won the award right now, there would not be a man in any photos. My children and my family support structure would be in every picture. Would you assume that I was an unwed mother since I didn’t have a man in the picture? I am single mother and proud of it. It is not an easy job. How about my friends who are widows with young children. You do not know my story or theirs. We had an Admiral who said that, “Perception is reality for those who are too lazy to find out the truth”. Be happy for women and their accomplishments. Women have made significant progress over the last 100 years. My reality is not everyone has the same opportunities. We do the best we can. I believe you may need to take a class in Generational Diversity and Human Relations. Very Respectfully, A Civil Rights Protector.

Vice Admiral Pekoske Won our Poll but Lost in the Blogosphere

Last week we published Vice Admiral David P. Pekoske and iFORCECOM ready or not. iFORCECOM didn’t publish a comment posted by a reader which asked why Vadm. Pekoske was moving out of ahead of Congressional authorization on modernization.

Adm. Allen’s Blog iCommandant didn’t shy away from posting

Anonymous said…

Discussion, yes we need some. We have blogs coming at us from all directions now inside and outside Coast Guard. Some are responsive and some are not. iFORCECOM has been pretty unresponsive to comments, iCOMMANDANT more responsive.

The blogs are great tools, but we have already seen witch-hunts for who left what comment on this blog at several units, mine included.

I would like to see the Office of Civil Rights start a blog and come out from behind the blue curtain.

I would also like to be able to sign my name here, but I need a job.