The Morrill Memorial Library is excited to partner with Ashland Public Library and other Massachusetts public libraries to host Retired Captain Greg Ketchen as he presents "A Brief History of the Coast Guard" on Tuesday, April 16 at 1:00pm on Zoom.

 Massachusetts is the birthplace of the Coast Guard. America’s oldest seagoing service has an exceptionally rich history, and those who have served in the Coast Guard here in Massachusetts have made significant contributions to that history. The U.S. Lighthouse Establishment, U.S. Lifesaving Service, Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation, and the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service were all predecessors to today’s modern Coast Guard. From the Departments of Treasury, Transportation to Homeland Security, this federal service has evolved into an organization with dozens of missions, some of which may surprise you. Most are aware of the role of the Coast Guard as first responders, law enforcement officers, and boating safety experts; but few know that some are oceanographers, combat veterans, arctic explorers, and even astronauts.

About the presenter: Greg Ketchen is a retired U.S. Coast Guard Captain living in Osterville, MA. He is a volunteer at the Coast Guard Heritage Museum located in Barnstable’s Old Customs House and has served as its president for the past six years. Before moving to the Cape thirteen years ago, Greg’s career included providing support to Massachusetts’ commercial ports as a development consultant, heading operations at the New England Aquarium, and filling a wide variety of Coast Guard jobs. These included performing duties at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, completing assignments as chief oceanographer for the International Ice Patrol and on the faculty of the Coast Guard Academy, and serving as commander of Coast Guard Group Boston and a NATO station in Italy. He has completed graduate studies in both Physical Oceanography and Business Administration. Greg is a frequent lecturer on a variety of topics related to Coast Guard missions and history.

Register directly on Zoom HERE.

Registrants will receive a link to access the Zoom webinar via email from Ashland Public Library, the hosting institution. This program is generously supported by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library.