The Coast Guard Life

The Coast Guard Life. . , In the Coast Guard period from 1966 to 1996, Governors Island functioned as a self-sustaining independent village. Residents were able to take advantage of the offerings on the Island or take the ferry across to Manhattan. In the Coast Guard period from 1966 to 1996, Governors Island functioned as a self-sustaining, independent village. Residents were able to take advantage of the offerings on the Island or take the ferry across to Manhattan. Among the services provided were bank, barber shop, dry cleaners, beauty parlor, service station and post office. Also available were a commissary for grocery shopping and an “exchange” or department store., For recreation, the island offered all sorts of entertainment including a movie theater, golf course, bowling alley, swimming pools, a library, tennis courts, ice-skating rink and a Burger King. Other culinary options ranged from pizza at the Three Flags Pizza restaurant, the Geedunk Cafeteria, the Gourmet Annex or meals at one of the Island’s clubs. These institutions were divided by rank including the Chief Petty Officers’ Club and the Officers’ Club., Though life was like a normal village in many respects, some guides to conduct and military traditions were upheld. Dress such as “halters” and “short shorts” were not encouraged at the commissary and exchange. Teenage girls and women were asked to wear skirts and boys were required to be in long trousers, not jeans, for trips to the movies., Ten sets of bugle calls were heard over the course of a standard working day. The day commenced with Reveille at 06:30 and sunset was marked by a gun salute. Colors, a bugle call to render honors to the nation, was played twice a day and men were required to remove their hats and all personnel were required to stop their cars during the observance. Many parents used the bugle calls as reminders to their children to come home.