Local Boy Sails Home

Baltimore - Sometimes it's hard to see freedom through the trees.   But not this past weekend.   Everywhere your nose pointed, your camera clicked, you saw power on the water, people on land, ant on the Hill, and Angels in the sky.   Filling those black dress shoes is Colin Schuster, reporting for duty on the Coast Guard Cutter Eagle.

"Being from Westminister, my parents use to bring me down to the Inner Harbor all the time as a kid

So last week, Schuster came up the Bay, and took a left turn into his Hometown.

"What a homecoming it was.

And here he is parked by a floating UN. 

"We have boats from all over, there's the ship from Mexico.

Four years ago, when Colin was at Loyola Blakefield, really didn't have a handle on where life was going to take him.  No way did this landlocked Schuster think he would end up protecting our waters.
   

"I decided on the Coast Guard because it is vital to our Nation's interest."

You think Walenda crossing Niagara Falls was something.  Try climbing these ropes.  She did a great job.  Colin who's highest step was climbing a step ladder in his kitchen can now do this.  He can almost touch the sky without fear.  How proud his family must be.

"They are pretty proud"

So there he was at his home port this weekend, starring at his City of call.   Travels sometimes call you to familiar places but what a weekend from those watching from high above, to those sitting by the Harbor..  They came to see Colin.  From the Galloways, to Father Pesci and Father Joe.

"Oh I'm not that famous"

Humble guy, the man dressed in blue.   Sometimes its hard to see freedom through the trees, therefore you look for symbols.  We found one, take a look, doesn't that look like a peace sign.  That's what Colin's weekend was all about.

Once he finishes next year, he plans on getting on board another cutter.  Since he has the East Coast nailed down, he wants to ride the Pacific.