Brava Zulu

Rear Admiral Steven A. Day

Coast Guard Rear Admiral Steven A. Day returned to Gogebic Community College Wednesday evening, he had returned to where it all began.

Rear Admiral Day was joined at the College by fellow Coasties and other area vets who came to greet the distinguished alumnus and alumna. Both Rear Admiral Day and his wife Sheri are graduates of Gogebic Community College. The Admiral graduated in 1973 and Mrs. Day graduated a year earlier.

Local veterans from American Legion Post #5 provided the Color Guard honoring the Admiral's visit. During his visit the Admiral met with student-veterans attending Gogebic Community College.

Bosun (Boatswain) Mate 2nd Class, stationed in Bayfield, provided a Coast Guard Flag from the Station.

The Admiral is a native of Norway, MI. and is a graduate of the Norway High School.  He entered the Coast Guard in 1967. In 1971 he entered GCC where he earned an Associates Degree. Admiral Day went on to Northern Michigan University, where earned his Bachelor's Degree. At the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point, he earned his Master's Degree. He later attended classes at Harvard and MIT, at the request of the Coast Guard.

After attaining the rank of Ensign in 1979, Admiral Day's career as sent him around the world.

Assignments as an officer have included: Reserve Green Bay; Commanding Officer of Reserve Unit Hancock; Operations Officer of PSU 303 Milwaukee when he was deployed to the Port of Damman, Saudi Arabia in support of Operations Desert Shield/Desert Storm from September 1990 to April 1991; Commanding Officer Reserve Unit Green Bay; FEMA Liaison Officer Milwaukee; Commanding Officer PSU 303 Milwaukee; USTRANSCOM and Commanding Officer Port Security Unit 309 where his unit conducted deployments to Pohang, Korea, Dukaylah, Egypt, OPSAIL 2000, New York City and Manama, Bahrain; Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Element, Joint Forces Command Norfolk; Commanding Officer, Joint Reserve Unit, Norfolk, VA; in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to the Pentagon, National Military Command Center and Coast Guard Headquarters, Defense Operations; Senior Reserve Officer, Deputy Chief of Staff D5; and then to PACAREA as the Reserve Chief of Staff/Senior Reserve Officer. On June 9, 2008, RDML Day assumed his current assignment at LANT AREA.

When at GCC Admiral Day played basketball for the Sampson's. Wednesday night the Admiral was given a Sampson Basketball T-Shirt. He was also given a custom made Stormy Kromer, that was provided by Bob Jacquart, President of the GCC Board of Directors. On hand Wednesday was student Day's Basketball Coach, Dean Lindquist.

Also attending the meeting were former Coasties, Retired Master Chiefs John Sawaki and Dewey Isaacson.

The Admiral spends much of his time traveling and bringing the public up-to-date on the modern mission of the Coast Guard. Which he did last evening.

The Admiral  advised the listeners that today's young servicemen are up to the task. That he often hears that the current serviceman is as good as they used to be. Admiral Day older vets that is what they use to say about us!

The Admiral presented "Challenge Coins" to the Veterans at the meeting. Rear Admiral Day chose to have his coins minted at his expense. By doing so, he may give these coins to whomever he chooses. Had The Coast Guard paid for the coins, he would have been restricted to giving the coins to fellow Officers.

Challenge coin rules only apply to other individuals who also have a challenge coin. A holder of a challenge coin may "challenge" any individual who is known to have a coin. A challenge is made by withdrawing a coin and raising it in the air or by tapping it on a bar or table. The individual who is challenged is required to produce their coin within 60 seconds. If the individual produces the coin, the challenger is obligated to buy them a drink. If the challenged individual fails to produce the coin, they are obligated to buy the drink. The reward does NOT have to be an alcoholic beverage. It can be a soda or any other reward that the two individuals agree on. If a coin is dropped and it hits the floor, the owner is obligated to buy drinks for anyone who hears or sees the coin hit the floor (provided they have their coin on them).

Click to view the Admiral Address to the Attendees