Historic Promotion Occurs in U.S. Coast Guard Change of Command

USCG Change-of-Command Ceremony And Historical Promotion to Admiral Monday, April 22, 2024 Richard Rodgers Theatre New York, NY Photographs by Mary DiBiase Blaich The Coast Guard Sector New York held a change-of-command ceremony where Capt Zeita Merhant, outgoing Sector NY commander passed the baton to Captain Jonathan Andrechik, incoming Sector New York commander. Sector New York is located at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY. On the stage of the show Hamilton, the National Anthem was sung by Tamar Greene, who plays George Washington in Hamilton. The ceremony was held on the stage of the Broadway play “Hamilton”, who founded the US Coast Guard. During the ceremony, Captain Merchant was also “frocked”, which is an early promotion, to Rear Admiral. Joining Merchant was her Mother, siblings, neice and nephew and numerous extended family and friends. Her family gathered with her on stage as she was presented with her gold epaulets and new uniform hat. She became the first African American Woman to achieve that position in the Coast Guard. Presiding at the ceremony was Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the first woman to head a military service. Also on hand was Vincent W Patton, III, Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (ret); RADM John W Mauger, Commander, First Coast Guard District’ RADM Stephen Rochon, USCG (ret). The NYC FDNY Bagpipers played Auld Lang Sine to conclude the event.

USCG Change-of-Command Ceremony And Historical Promotion to Admiral Monday, April 22, 2024 Richard Rodgers Theatre New York, NY Photographs by Mary DiBiase Blaich The Coast Guard Sector New York held a change-of-command ceremony where Capt Zeita Merhant, outgoing Sector NY commander passed the baton to Captain Jonathan Andrechik, incoming Sector New York commander. Sector New York is located at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY. On the stage of the show Hamilton, the National Anthem was sung by Tamar Greene, who plays George Washington in Hamilton. The ceremony was held on the stage of the Broadway play “Hamilton”, who founded the US Coast Guard. During the ceremony, Captain Merchant was also “frocked”, which is an early promotion, to Rear Admiral. Joining Merchant was her Mother, siblings, neice and nephew and numerous extended family and friends. Her family gathered with her on stage as she was presented with her gold epaulets and new uniform hat. She became the first African American Woman to achieve that position in the Coast Guard. Presiding at the ceremony was Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the first woman to head a military service. Also on hand was Vincent W Patton, III, Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (ret); RADM John W Mauger, Commander, First Coast Guard District’ RADM Stephen Rochon, USCG (ret). The NYC FDNY Bagpipers played Auld Lang Sine to conclude the event.

USCG Change-of-Command Ceremony And Historical Promotion to Admiral Monday, April 22, 2024 Richard Rodgers Theatre New York, NY Photographs by Mary DiBiase Blaich The Coast Guard Sector New York held a change-of-command ceremony where Capt Zeita Merhant, outgoing Sector NY commander passed the baton to Captain Jonathan Andrechik, incoming Sector New York commander. Sector New York is located at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY. On the stage of the show Hamilton, the National Anthem was sung by Tamar Greene, who plays George Washington in Hamilton. The ceremony was held on the stage of the Broadway play “Hamilton”, who founded the US Coast Guard. During the ceremony, Captain Merchant was also “frocked”, which is an early promotion, to Rear Admiral. Joining Merchant was her Mother, siblings, neice and nephew and numerous extended family and friends. Her family gathered with her on stage as she was presented with her gold epaulets and new uniform hat. She became the first African American Woman to achieve that position in the Coast Guard. Presiding at the ceremony was Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the first woman to head a military service. Also on hand was Vincent W Patton, III, Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (ret); RADM John W Mauger, Commander, First Coast Guard District’ RADM Stephen Rochon, USCG (ret). The NYC FDNY Bagpipers played Auld Lang Sine to conclude the event.

USCG Change-of-Command Ceremony And Historical Promotion to Admiral Monday, April 22, 2024 Richard Rodgers Theatre New York, NY Photographs by Mary DiBiase Blaich The Coast Guard Sector New York held a change-of-command ceremony where Capt Zeita Merhant, outgoing Sector NY commander passed the baton to Captain Jonathan Andrechik, incoming Sector New York commander. Sector New York is located at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY. On the stage of the show Hamilton, the National Anthem was sung by Tamar Greene, who plays George Washington in Hamilton. The ceremony was held on the stage of the Broadway play “Hamilton”, who founded the US Coast Guard. During the ceremony, Captain Merchant was also “frocked”, which is an early promotion, to Rear Admiral. Joining Merchant was her Mother, siblings, neice and nephew and numerous extended family and friends. Her family gathered with her on stage as she was presented with her gold epaulets and new uniform hat. She became the first African American Woman to achieve that position in the Coast Guard. Presiding at the ceremony was Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the first woman to head a military service. Also on hand was Vincent W Patton, III, Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (ret); RADM John W Mauger, Commander, First Coast Guard District’ RADM Stephen Rochon, USCG (ret). The NYC FDNY Bagpipers played Auld Lang Sine to conclude the event.

USCG Change-of-Command Ceremony And Historical Promotion to Admiral Monday, April 22, 2024 Richard Rodgers Theatre New York, NY Photographs by Mary DiBiase Blaich The Coast Guard Sector New York held a change-of-command ceremony where Capt Zeita Merhant, outgoing Sector NY commander passed the baton to Captain Jonathan Andrechik, incoming Sector New York commander. Sector New York is located at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY. On the stage of the show Hamilton, the National Anthem was sung by Tamar Greene, who plays George Washington in Hamilton. The ceremony was held on the stage of the Broadway play “Hamilton”, who founded the US Coast Guard. During the ceremony, Captain Merchant was also “frocked”, which is an early promotion, to Rear Admiral. Joining Merchant was her Mother, siblings, neice and nephew and numerous extended family and friends. Her family gathered with her on stage as she was presented with her gold epaulets and new uniform hat. She became the first African American Woman to achieve that position in the Coast Guard. Presiding at the ceremony was Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the first woman to head a military service. Also on hand was Vincent W Patton, III, Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (ret); RADM John W Mauger, Commander, First Coast Guard District’ RADM Stephen Rochon, USCG (ret). The NYC FDNY Bagpipers played Auld Lang Sine to conclude the event.

USCG Change-of-Command Ceremony And Historical Promotion to Admiral Monday, April 22, 2024 Richard Rodgers Theatre New York, NY Photographs by Mary DiBiase Blaich The Coast Guard Sector New York held a change-of-command ceremony where Capt Zeita Merhant, outgoing Sector NY commander passed the baton to Captain Jonathan Andrechik, incoming Sector New York commander. Sector New York is located at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY. On the stage of the show Hamilton, the National Anthem was sung by Tamar Greene, who plays George Washington in Hamilton. The ceremony was held on the stage of the Broadway play “Hamilton”, who founded the US Coast Guard. During the ceremony, Captain Merchant was also “frocked”, which is an early promotion, to Rear Admiral. Joining Merchant was her Mother, siblings, neice and nephew and numerous extended family and friends. Her family gathered with her on stage as she was presented with her gold epaulets and new uniform hat. She became the first African American Woman to achieve that position in the Coast Guard. Presiding at the ceremony was Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the first woman to head a military service. Also on hand was Vincent W Patton, III, Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (ret); RADM John W Mauger, Commander, First Coast Guard District’ RADM Stephen Rochon, USCG (ret). The NYC FDNY Bagpipers played Auld Lang Sine to conclude the event.

USCG Change-of-Command Ceremony And Historical Promotion to Admiral Monday, April 22, 2024 Richard Rodgers Theatre New York, NY Photographs by Mary DiBiase Blaich The Coast Guard Sector New York held a change-of-command ceremony where Capt Zeita Merhant, outgoing Sector NY commander passed the baton to Captain Jonathan Andrechik, incoming Sector New York commander. Sector New York is located at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY. On the stage of the show Hamilton, the National Anthem was sung by Tamar Greene, who plays George Washington in Hamilton. The ceremony was held on the stage of the Broadway play “Hamilton”, who founded the US Coast Guard. During the ceremony, Captain Merchant was also “frocked”, which is an early promotion, to Rear Admiral. Joining Merchant was her Mother, siblings, neice and nephew and numerous extended family and friends. Her family gathered with her on stage as she was presented with her gold epaulets and new uniform hat. She became the first African American Woman to achieve that position in the Coast Guard. Presiding at the ceremony was Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the first woman to head a military service. Also on hand was Vincent W Patton, III, Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (ret); RADM John W Mauger, Commander, First Coast Guard District’ RADM Stephen Rochon, USCG (ret). The NYC FDNY Bagpipers played Auld Lang Sine to conclude the event.

USCG Change-of-Command Ceremony And Historical Promotion to Admiral Monday, April 22, 2024 Richard Rodgers Theatre New York, NY Photographs by Mary DiBiase Blaich The Coast Guard Sector New York held a change-of-command ceremony where Capt Zeita Merhant, outgoing Sector NY commander passed the baton to Captain Jonathan Andrechik, incoming Sector New York commander. Sector New York is located at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY. On the stage of the show Hamilton, the National Anthem was sung by Tamar Greene, who plays George Washington in Hamilton. The ceremony was held on the stage of the Broadway play “Hamilton”, who founded the US Coast Guard. During the ceremony, Captain Merchant was also “frocked”, which is an early promotion, to Rear Admiral. Joining Merchant was her Mother, siblings, neice and nephew and numerous extended family and friends. Her family gathered with her on stage as she was presented with her gold epaulets and new uniform hat. She became the first African American Woman to achieve that position in the Coast Guard. Presiding at the ceremony was Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the first woman to head a military service. Also on hand was Vincent W Patton, III, Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (ret); RADM John W Mauger, Commander, First Coast Guard District’ RADM Stephen Rochon, USCG (ret). The NYC FDNY Bagpipers played Auld Lang Sine to conclude the event.

USCG Change-of-Command Ceremony And Historical Promotion to Admiral Monday, April 22, 2024 Richard Rodgers Theatre New York, NY Photographs by Mary DiBiase Blaich The Coast Guard Sector New York held a change-of-command ceremony where Capt Zeita Merhant, outgoing Sector NY commander passed the baton to Captain Jonathan Andrechik, incoming Sector New York commander. Sector New York is located at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY. On the stage of the show Hamilton, the National Anthem was sung by Tamar Greene, who plays George Washington in Hamilton. The ceremony was held on the stage of the Broadway play “Hamilton”, who founded the US Coast Guard. During the ceremony, Captain Merchant was also “frocked”, which is an early promotion, to Rear Admiral. Joining Merchant was her Mother, siblings, neice and nephew and numerous extended family and friends. Her family gathered with her on stage as she was presented with her gold epaulets and new uniform hat. She became the first African American Woman to achieve that position in the Coast Guard. Presiding at the ceremony was Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the first woman to head a military service. Also on hand was Vincent W Patton, III, Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (ret); RADM John W Mauger, Commander, First Coast Guard District’ RADM Stephen Rochon, USCG (ret). The NYC FDNY Bagpipers played Auld Lang Sine to conclude the event.

USCG Change-of-Command Ceremony And Historical Promotion to Admiral Monday, April 22, 2024 Richard Rodgers Theatre New York, NY Photographs by Mary DiBiase Blaich The Coast Guard Sector New York held a change-of-command ceremony where Capt Zeita Merhant, outgoing Sector NY commander passed the baton to Captain Jonathan Andrechik, incoming Sector New York commander. Sector New York is located at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY. On the stage of the show Hamilton, the National Anthem was sung by Tamar Greene, who plays George Washington in Hamilton. The ceremony was held on the stage of the Broadway play “Hamilton”, who founded the US Coast Guard. During the ceremony, Captain Merchant was also “frocked”, which is an early promotion, to Rear Admiral. Joining Merchant was her Mother, siblings, neice and nephew and numerous extended family and friends. Her family gathered with her on stage as she was presented with her gold epaulets and new uniform hat. She became the first African American Woman to achieve that position in the Coast Guard. Presiding at the ceremony was Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the first woman to head a military service. Also on hand was Vincent W Patton, III, Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (ret); RADM John W Mauger, Commander, First Coast Guard District’ RADM Stephen Rochon, USCG (ret). The NYC FDNY Bagpipers played Auld Lang Sine to conclude the event.

USCG Change-of-Command Ceremony And Historical Promotion to Admiral Monday, April 22, 2024 Richard Rodgers Theatre New York, NY Photographs by Mary DiBiase Blaich The Coast Guard Sector New York held a change-of-command ceremony where Capt Zeita Merhant, outgoing Sector NY commander passed the baton to Captain Jonathan Andrechik, incoming Sector New York commander. Sector New York is located at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY. On the stage of the show Hamilton, the National Anthem was sung by Tamar Greene, who plays George Washington in Hamilton. The ceremony was held on the stage of the Broadway play “Hamilton”, who founded the US Coast Guard. During the ceremony, Captain Merchant was also “frocked”, which is an early promotion, to Rear Admiral. Joining Merchant was her Mother, siblings, neice and nephew and numerous extended family and friends. Her family gathered with her on stage as she was presented with her gold epaulets and new uniform hat. She became the first African American Woman to achieve that position in the Coast Guard. Presiding at the ceremony was Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the first woman to head a military service. Also on hand was Vincent W Patton, III, Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (ret); RADM John W Mauger, Commander, First Coast Guard District’ RADM Stephen Rochon, USCG (ret). The NYC FDNY Bagpipers played Auld Lang Sine to conclude the event.

USCG Change-of-Command Ceremony And Historical Promotion to Admiral Monday, April 22, 2024 Richard Rodgers Theatre New York, NY Photographs by Mary DiBiase Blaich The Coast Guard Sector New York held a change-of-command ceremony where Capt Zeita Merhant, outgoing Sector NY commander passed the baton to Captain Jonathan Andrechik, incoming Sector New York commander. Sector New York is located at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY. On the stage of the show Hamilton, the National Anthem was sung by Tamar Greene, who plays George Washington in Hamilton. The ceremony was held on the stage of the Broadway play “Hamilton”, who founded the US Coast Guard. During the ceremony, Captain Merchant was also “frocked”, which is an early promotion, to Rear Admiral. Joining Merchant was her Mother, siblings, neice and nephew and numerous extended family and friends. Her family gathered with her on stage as she was presented with her gold epaulets and new uniform hat. She became the first African American Woman to achieve that position in the Coast Guard. Presiding at the ceremony was Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the first woman to head a military service. Also on hand was Vincent W Patton, III, Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (ret); RADM John W Mauger, Commander, First Coast Guard District’ RADM Stephen Rochon, USCG (ret). The NYC FDNY Bagpipers played Auld Lang Sine to conclude the event.

USCG Change-of-Command Ceremony And Historical Promotion to Admiral Monday, April 22, 2024 Richard Rodgers Theatre New York, NY Photographs by Mary DiBiase Blaich The Coast Guard Sector New York held a change-of-command ceremony where Capt Zeita Merhant, outgoing Sector NY commander passed the baton to Captain Jonathan Andrechik, incoming Sector New York commander. Sector New York is located at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY. On the stage of the show Hamilton, the National Anthem was sung by Tamar Greene, who plays George Washington in Hamilton. The ceremony was held on the stage of the Broadway play “Hamilton”, who founded the US Coast Guard. During the ceremony, Captain Merchant was also “frocked”, which is an early promotion, to Rear Admiral. Joining Merchant was her Mother, siblings, neice and nephew and numerous extended family and friends. Her family gathered with her on stage as she was presented with her gold epaulets and new uniform hat. She became the first African American Woman to achieve that position in the Coast Guard. Presiding at the ceremony was Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the first woman to head a military service. Also on hand was Vincent W Patton, III, Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (ret); RADM John W Mauger, Commander, First Coast Guard District’ RADM Stephen Rochon, USCG (ret). The NYC FDNY Bagpipers played Auld Lang Sine to conclude the event.

USCG Change-of-Command Ceremony And Historical Promotion to Admiral Monday, April 22, 2024 Richard Rodgers Theatre New York, NY Photographs by Mary DiBiase Blaich The Coast Guard Sector New York held a change-of-command ceremony where Capt Zeita Merhant, outgoing Sector NY commander passed the baton to Captain Jonathan Andrechik, incoming Sector New York commander. Sector New York is located at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY. On the stage of the show Hamilton, the National Anthem was sung by Tamar Greene, who plays George Washington in Hamilton. The ceremony was held on the stage of the Broadway play “Hamilton”, who founded the US Coast Guard. During the ceremony, Captain Merchant was also “frocked”, which is an early promotion, to Rear Admiral. Joining Merchant was her Mother, siblings, neice and nephew and numerous extended family and friends. Her family gathered with her on stage as she was presented with her gold epaulets and new uniform hat. She became the first African American Woman to achieve that position in the Coast Guard. Presiding at the ceremony was Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the first woman to head a military service. Also on hand was Vincent W Patton, III, Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (ret); RADM John W Mauger, Commander, First Coast Guard District’ RADM Stephen Rochon, USCG (ret). The NYC FDNY Bagpipers played Auld Lang Sine to conclude the event.

USCG Change-of-Command Ceremony And Historical Promotion to Admiral Monday, April 22, 2024 Richard Rodgers Theatre New York, NY Photographs by Mary DiBiase Blaich The Coast Guard Sector New York held a change-of-command ceremony where Capt Zeita Merhant, outgoing Sector NY commander passed the baton to Captain Jonathan Andrechik, incoming Sector New York commander. Sector New York is located at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY. On the stage of the show Hamilton, the National Anthem was sung by Tamar Greene, who plays George Washington in Hamilton. The ceremony was held on the stage of the Broadway play “Hamilton”, who founded the US Coast Guard. During the ceremony, Captain Merchant was also “frocked”, which is an early promotion, to Rear Admiral. Joining Merchant was her Mother, siblings, neice and nephew and numerous extended family and friends. Her family gathered with her on stage as she was presented with her gold epaulets and new uniform hat. She became the first African American Woman to achieve that position in the Coast Guard. Presiding at the ceremony was Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the first woman to head a military service. Also on hand was Vincent W Patton, III, Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (ret); RADM John W Mauger, Commander, First Coast Guard District’ RADM Stephen Rochon, USCG (ret). The NYC FDNY Bagpipers played Auld Lang Sine to conclude the event.

USCG Change-of-Command Ceremony And Historical Promotion to Admiral Monday, April 22, 2024 Richard Rodgers Theatre New York, NY Photographs by Mary DiBiase Blaich The Coast Guard Sector New York held a change-of-command ceremony where Capt Zeita Merhant, outgoing Sector NY commander passed the baton to Captain Jonathan Andrechik, incoming Sector New York commander. Sector New York is located at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY. On the stage of the show Hamilton, the National Anthem was sung by Tamar Greene, who plays George Washington in Hamilton. The ceremony was held on the stage of the Broadway play “Hamilton”, who founded the US Coast Guard. During the ceremony, Captain Merchant was also “frocked”, which is an early promotion, to Rear Admiral. Joining Merchant was her Mother, siblings, neice and nephew and numerous extended family and friends. Her family gathered with her on stage as she was presented with her gold epaulets and new uniform hat. She became the first African American Woman to achieve that position in the Coast Guard. Presiding at the ceremony was Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the first woman to head a military service. Also on hand was Vincent W Patton, III, Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (ret); RADM John W Mauger, Commander, First Coast Guard District’ RADM Stephen Rochon, USCG (ret). The NYC FDNY Bagpipers played Auld Lang Sine to conclude the event.

USCG Change-of-Command Ceremony And Historical Promotion to Admiral Monday, April 22, 2024 Richard Rodgers Theatre New York, NY Photographs by Mary DiBiase Blaich The Coast Guard Sector New York held a change-of-command ceremony where Capt Zeita Merhant, outgoing Sector NY commander passed the baton to Captain Jonathan Andrechik, incoming Sector New York commander. Sector New York is located at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY. On the stage of the show Hamilton, the National Anthem was sung by Tamar Greene, who plays George Washington in Hamilton. The ceremony was held on the stage of the Broadway play “Hamilton”, who founded the US Coast Guard. During the ceremony, Captain Merchant was also “frocked”, which is an early promotion, to Rear Admiral. Joining Merchant was her Mother, siblings, neice and nephew and numerous extended family and friends. Her family gathered with her on stage as she was presented with her gold epaulets and new uniform hat. She became the first African American Woman to achieve that position in the Coast Guard. Presiding at the ceremony was Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the first woman to head a military service. Also on hand was Vincent W Patton, III, Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (ret); RADM John W Mauger, Commander, First Coast Guard District’ RADM Stephen Rochon, USCG (ret). The NYC FDNY Bagpipers played Auld Lang Sine to conclude the event.

USCG Change-of-Command Ceremony And Historical Promotion to Admiral Monday, April 22, 2024 Richard Rodgers Theatre New York, NY Photographs by Mary DiBiase Blaich The Coast Guard Sector New York held a change-of-command ceremony where Capt Zeita Merhant, outgoing Sector NY commander passed the baton to Captain Jonathan Andrechik, incoming Sector New York commander. Sector New York is located at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY. On the stage of the show Hamilton, the National Anthem was sung by Tamar Greene, who plays George Washington in Hamilton. The ceremony was held on the stage of the Broadway play “Hamilton”, who founded the US Coast Guard. During the ceremony, Captain Merchant was also “frocked”, which is an early promotion, to Rear Admiral. Joining Merchant was her Mother, siblings, neice and nephew and numerous extended family and friends. Her family gathered with her on stage as she was presented with her gold epaulets and new uniform hat. She became the first African American Woman to achieve that position in the Coast Guard. Presiding at the ceremony was Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the first woman to head a military service. Also on hand was Vincent W Patton, III, Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (ret); RADM John W Mauger, Commander, First Coast Guard District’ RADM Stephen Rochon, USCG (ret). The NYC FDNY Bagpipers played Auld Lang Sine to conclude the event.

USCG Change-of-Command Ceremony And Historical Promotion to Admiral Monday, April 22, 2024 Richard Rodgers Theatre New York, NY Photographs by Mary DiBiase Blaich The Coast Guard Sector New York held a change-of-command ceremony where Capt Zeita Merhant, outgoing Sector NY commander passed the baton to Captain Jonathan Andrechik, incoming Sector New York commander. Sector New York is located at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY. On the stage of the show Hamilton, the National Anthem was sung by Tamar Greene, who plays George Washington in Hamilton. The ceremony was held on the stage of the Broadway play “Hamilton”, who founded the US Coast Guard. During the ceremony, Captain Merchant was also “frocked”, which is an early promotion, to Rear Admiral. Joining Merchant was her Mother, siblings, neice and nephew and numerous extended family and friends. Her family gathered with her on stage as she was presented with her gold epaulets and new uniform hat. She became the first African American Woman to achieve that position in the Coast Guard. Presiding at the ceremony was Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the first woman to head a military service. Also on hand was Vincent W Patton, III, Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (ret); RADM John W Mauger, Commander, First Coast Guard District’ RADM Stephen Rochon, USCG (ret). The NYC FDNY Bagpipers played Auld Lang Sine to conclude the event.

USCG Change-of-Command Ceremony And Historical Promotion to Admiral Monday, April 22, 2024 Richard Rodgers Theatre New York, NY Photographs by Mary DiBiase Blaich The Coast Guard Sector New York held a change-of-command ceremony where Capt Zeita Merhant, outgoing Sector NY commander passed the baton to Captain Jonathan Andrechik, incoming Sector New York commander. Sector New York is located at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY. On the stage of the show Hamilton, the National Anthem was sung by Tamar Greene, who plays George Washington in Hamilton. The ceremony was held on the stage of the Broadway play “Hamilton”, who founded the US Coast Guard. During the ceremony, Captain Merchant was also “frocked”, which is an early promotion, to Rear Admiral. Joining Merchant was her Mother, siblings, neice and nephew and numerous extended family and friends. Her family gathered with her on stage as she was presented with her gold epaulets and new uniform hat. She became the first African American Woman to achieve that position in the Coast Guard. Presiding at the ceremony was Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the first woman to head a military service. Also on hand was Vincent W Patton, III, Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (ret); RADM John W Mauger, Commander, First Coast Guard District’ RADM Stephen Rochon, USCG (ret). The NYC FDNY Bagpipers played Auld Lang Sine to conclude the event.

USCG Change-of-Command Ceremony And Historical Promotion to Admiral Monday, April 22, 2024 Richard Rodgers Theatre New York, NY Photographs by Mary DiBiase Blaich The Coast Guard Sector New York held a change-of-command ceremony where Capt Zeita Merhant, outgoing Sector NY commander passed the baton to Captain Jonathan Andrechik, incoming Sector New York commander. Sector New York is located at Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY. On the stage of the show Hamilton, the National Anthem was sung by Tamar Greene, who plays George Washington in Hamilton. The ceremony was held on the stage of the Broadway play “Hamilton”, who founded the US Coast Guard. During the ceremony, Captain Merchant was also “frocked”, which is an early promotion, to Rear Admiral. Joining Merchant was her Mother, siblings, neice and nephew and numerous extended family and friends. Her family gathered with her on stage as she was presented with her gold epaulets and new uniform hat. She became the first African American Woman to achieve that position in the Coast Guard. Presiding at the ceremony was Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the first woman to head a military service. Also on hand was Vincent W Patton, III, Eighth Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (ret); RADM John W Mauger, Commander, First Coast Guard District’ RADM Stephen Rochon, USCG (ret). The NYC FDNY Bagpipers played Auld Lang Sine to conclude the event.