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I'm perhaps one of the last of a breed of USCG Lighthouse Keepers. After my assignment to the Kenosha Wisconsin Life Boat Station,I was selected to attend the USCG Aids to Navigation School in Groton, Connecticut. There I was taught all aspects of maintaining and repairing all types of lenses, lighting apparatus and fog signals. This pertained to lighthouses, bouys, day markers, and pier lights. Then and there, I fell in love with Fresnel lenses and their intricate beauty. Upon completion of my studies, I was desginated officer-in-charge of the Kensoha, Wisconsin pierhead light and all other A to N. My light was a fifth order Fresnel, flashing red light. Hours were spent lovingly polishiing the crystal prisms and polishing their brass cage. I did that from 1958 to 1960. Shortly after my separation from the USCG, the lens was replaced with an airway beacon which is in service as of today. My lovely lens was relegated to the USCG supply base in Milwaukee, never to be seen again. I am so honored to have been a last of the "Wickies" and will forever be grateful to the United States Coast Guard for giving me this rare privilage. I would be happy to correspond with anyone who would like first hand information about my duties and experiences. I am a collector of nautical antiques and own several pieces from the USLHS which was absorbed into the USCG in 1938. I have an inspector's stop watch, a Seth Thomas USLHS clock, original uniform buttons and a 100+ year old log book page from the Boon Island Light in Maine. It recounts the activity on Christmas Day 1888. I am always hunting for additional pieces. If corrsponding, please include a reference to lighthouses. I do not open e-mail unless I can be sure it's not SPAM. As Motel 6 says, "I'll keep the light on for you!"
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