Young Yeoman Stuck in PCS Nightmare Goes From Rescued to Rescuer

A blizzard hit just as a young Coast Guard family was starting their transfer from Buffalo to Seattle. They hunkered down in a motel for the night and the next morning were shocked to discover their U-Haul trailer and car had been stolen overnight.

The nightmare situation was compounded by the reality that their clothes as well as their family Christmas presents were among the items gone.

YNCS James Seger noted that it was “really discouraging” for a young Yeoman in the early ‘70s. While they waited for the locks to be repaired on their recovered vehicle, they went to Sears to buy winter coats and clothes so they could finish moving in the middle of winter.

When he received a CGMA grant to help with their recovery from the jarring theft and losses, Seger recalled, “It was mindboggling. We had lost so much clothing and other things. The $1,000 grant really made a difference in our lives.”

Receiving assistance from CGMA set a tone for how Seger wanted to be there for others as well.

This experience was at the front of his mind when he made his annual contribution to CGMA. From rescued to rescuing, Senior Chief Seger and his wife have made a habit of helping neighbors and other community members when they see a need.

“We still reach out to people when we see someone in need,” he said.

And he still makes it a priority to give back to his Coast Guard community.

Whether dramatic or routine, thousands of members face challenges each PCS season. With the help of our donors, CGMA is able to quickly respond with practical support that is needed and appreciated.

For decades CGMA has given the Coast Guard community the tools to help our own. If you’d like to learn more about the different ways you can help others in the Coast Guard community, please contact Alena Howard at (703) 468-7087 or alena.howard@mycgma.org. If you have included CGMA in your estate plan, please let us know so that we can thank you.