Community Gathers Weekly to Cheer Coast Guard Graduates

A heartwarming tradition continues to flourish in our community as local residents gather every Friday to celebrate Coast Guard recruits completing their basic training at Coast Guard Training Center Cape May.

At the corner of Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania avenues, a dedicated group of community members stands ready to cheer on the newest graduates, regardless of weather conditions. The gathering has become a fixture in Cape May, offering a warm welcome to service members who have just earned their first assignments.

Jen Murray of North Cape May has been a regular participant in these Friday celebrations and emphasized the group's commitment to the tradition. "We're here rain, shine, snow," she said, noting that supporters plan to continue showing up for as long as possible.

While the gatherings had taken place for several years, they took on new significance during the COVID-19 pandemic. When family members were prohibited from attending graduation ceremonies due to health restrictions, the community stepped up to ensure graduates didn't celebrate alone.

"Gathering here, we could at least wave to them on the buses so they had somebody," Murray explained. That moment of connection proved meaningful enough that the expanded tradition has continued well beyond the pandemic's end.

The supporters come from diverse backgrounds. Some are veterans or have family connections to the Coast Guard, while others, like Murray, simply wanted to show appreciation for the service members. Murray discovered the gathering during the lockdowns and has been a steadfast participant ever since, despite having no direct connection to the Coast Guard. "I didn't even know this was down here, to be honest," she said.

On a recent Friday afternoon, about a dozen people lined the sidewalk near a Coast Guard sign, some waving American flags or Coast Guard flags as buses carrying the new graduates passed by. The scene captures the spirit of a community that takes pride in supporting those who serve.

Coast Guard Training Center Cape May holds a unique distinction as currently the only basic training center for the Coast Guard in the country. According to the Cape May County Coast Guard Community Foundation, the facility hosts approximately 42 graduations each year, all scheduled for Fridays.

Community members interested in joining the weekly celebration can find the group gathered between noon and 1 p.m. at the intersection of Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania avenues on graduation Fridays. It's a simple gesture that makes a lasting impression on those beginning their Coast Guard careers, reminding them that their service is valued and appreciated by the community they've sworn to protect.