Special moments on the Sundew during a Coast Guard reunion

The Sundew had a special sailing on Friday, which happens to be National Coast Guard Day.

She left carrying about 50 retired members of the U.S. Coast Guard who served aboard the vessel in the 1980s. Friends and family also came on board.

Terry Rice, from Michigan, is one of the organizers. “I heard Jeff Foster owned it. So I gave him a call, and he said yes, and rolled out the red carpet for us. We are so thankful,” he told us.

“When I walked on board after 37 years, I had tears in my eyes. It was my home for three years,” Rice said. “Seeing the joy on my shipmates faces when we see each other, it’s been great.”

The group is also having a catered dinner on board after the sailing.

Foster said he really enjoys when people who used to serve can come back and see her.

“People ask if we have changed anything. And I tell them no, we keep it the same to honor those who served on the Sundew,” Foster explained.

He and his wife, Toni, bought the Sundew in 2009. Their first sailing was May 2010.