User blog comment:SpaceWeather/Happy Memorial Day!/@comment-1874924-20130526155014/@comment-1874924-20130526192200

I don't recall how my father came to be in the Marines, but he was probably drafted. My brother went into the Coast Guard largely because he didn't know what he wanted to do with his life. (He's still a kid at heart.) He's had several postings around the country, but his favorite was with the International Ice Patrol in Connecticut. ("International" because it's a joint venture with the Canadian government. The headquarters is in Connecticut, but the iceberg-spotting planes are based in St. John's, Newfoundland.) He was with the IIP for 10 years (two tours plus an extension), which is apparently the longest that an enlisted man can remain in the same posting. He even appeared briefly in a Discovery Channel piece on the Ice Patrol.

In addition to its normal duties, the Ice Patrol has one ceremonial function. Because it was formed in direct response to the sinking of the Titanic, they fly out once a year and drop a wreath at the spot where the Titanic went down.