I Remember Race Point, MA: Lighthouse Memories

My husband enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard in January, 1935. During his 23 years of service, he was stationed first on mainland lifeboat stations, later on a weather ship [ed. ocean station vessel], a buoy boat and the Hens and Chickens lightship. My children and I followed him whenever possible which meant he could be home sometimes, but sea duty meant long separations. The Lighthouse Service consolidated with the Coast Guard on July 7, 1939, when civilian lighthouse keepers could either retire or become members of the Coast Guard. Wanting to be close to his family, Clif applied for duty at a light station. He was the son of a lighthouse keeper whose family had a long association with the Lighthouse Service. However, before he could be assigned to a light station he had to receive training at off-shore stations. When he completed training he was transferred to the Cape Race Light Station at the tip of Cape Cod, MA.