The official blog of the U.S. Coast Guard
The Coast Guard Ensign, Semper Paratus, christenings, commissioning, mascots and Ancients… are all hallmarks of time-honored Coast Guard traditions.
Of these, the Ancient Keeper is the most recent addition, established in 2003, honoring the Coast Guard member with the most experience in Coast Guard boat forces.
Ancient Keeper. It may sound like an insult, but for Master Chief Petty Officer Terry Lathrop, it’s his new well-deserved title. In a ceremony held last week, Master Chief Petty Officer James Clemens, who retired from the Coast Guard with 30 years of service, relinquished his title of the Coast Guard’s Ancient Keeper to Lathrop during a special ceremony, which followed the station’s change of watch.
Master Chief Petty Officer James Clemens was honored today with the Joshua James Ancient Keeper Award as Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Guthlein, the former Ancient Keeper, retired from the Coast Guard. The Ancient Keeper is a title presented to an active duty Coast Guard member in recognition of their longevity in command of a boat force unit and outstanding performance in boat operations.
The Coast Guard ancients on watch in July 2009 gather together in their ceremonial clothing, which honors the history of their service. From left are Coast Guard Senior Chief Petty Officers Christopher Kukla (Silver Ancient Mariner) and Peter MacDougall (Enlisted Ancient Albatross), Vice Adm. Vivien Crea (Ancient Albatross), and Chief Warrant Officer Thomas Guthlein (Ancient