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A U G U S T , 2 0 1 7
SPOTLIGHT
ON SERVICE
HIGHLIGHTING:
Jay Burak and
Georgette Kyriacou
from FWH Associates, P.A.
©iStockphoto.com
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J
ay Burak served as a member of the USCG for five years.
During those five years, he was stationed in Virginia and
in Bayonne, NJ. During his time, he was rated a Damage
Controlman, meaning he was responsible for maintaining
his ships watertight integrity, and emergency preparedness
and responsiveness. His ship, the USCGC Katherine Walker
was responsible for maintaining over 300 navigation aids for
every vessel entering and exiting the New York Harbor. Jay is
a crucial member of our team here at FWH Associates and is
an active member within the CAI Community, we would like
to take the time to thank him and honor him for his service and
dedication to our country.
Q: So you’ve been working at FWH and been an active
member in the CAI community for several years now, but
what a lot of people don’t know is that you are also a veter-
an of the United States military, the US Coast Guard to be
exact, how many years
were you in service and
during what time?
A: I was enlisted with
the coast guard for 5
years, beginning in
1998 and finishing up
in June of 2003.
Q: When did you
really decide to join the
Courtesy CAI-NJ.
coast guard? Was this something you had always kept in
the back of your mind growing up, a post high school or
college decision, or even a spur of the moment thought?
A: During my sophomore year of college, I wasn’t
enjoying life and decided I needed to make a change, try
something different you know.
Q: Has the open water always been a big part of your
life? I know we’ve spoken about both being lifeguards on
the Jersey shore in the past, did that help you come to the
decision to join the Coast Guard?
A: I’ve always enjoyed the life of boating and being on
the water, I grew up around the shore, so the coast guard
just seemed like a great fit for me. I was also able to stay
US based which was a plus for me.
Q: Where were you stationed? Did you have a choice on
where you went, and how long are usually at a location?
A: After you finish basic training you are assigned a
station, however, depending on your rank and rate you do
have a choice. I chose to stay on the east coast, where I
spent time stationed on the USCGC Katherine Walker in
Bayonne, NJ. I was with the US Coast Guard group east-
ern shore and spent time in Chincoteague, Virginia as well.
Q: Walk through an average day [if there are any] in
the USCG, what were your specific duties, what was it like
being on the base?
A: I was a Damage Controlman, my duties included
but were not limited to welding, carpentry, firefighting,
Jay Burak