"Sampson" Its a love hate relationship.

Coast Guard Cutters, and Stations have a long history of adopting friends from the animal kingdom as their unit mascots. The most popular animal to do duty on both cutters and stations have been dogs. Many of these dogs have served with distinction, and some have even seen action in battle some being injured and even sometimes killed. One of the Coast Guards most famous mascots was a dog by the name of "Sinbad". Sinbad served a majority of his career onboard the Coast Guard Cutter Campbell, and was eventually transfered to Coast Guard Light Station Barnaget, New Jersey where he eventually was retired as a Chief Petty Officer. Sinbad is the only Coast Guard member to have a biography written about them, the book was called Sinbad of the Coast Guard, written by Chief Specialist George R. Foley, USCGR.
Station Ponce Inlet is no different when it comes to mascots, we have a dog by the name of Sampson. I really don't know the exact story of how Sampson ended up at the station, and I really don't know if anyone knows how old he is. I've heard that Sampson was adopted a few years ago by the last Officer in Charge, from where no one really knows? I don't believe any of the stories I hear on his adoption, my belief is one really dark and windy night Sampson was thrown over the fence of the Coast Guard station by someone we must have really wronged at sometime. Theres no other explanation I can come up with as to how Sampson arrived at the station. Ever since I reported aboard and assumed command Sampson and I have not seen eye-to-eye in fact I truly believe Sampson thinks he's in charge of the station. He eye's me every morning I drive on base to remind me of the very fact.

I have a yellow lab named Zane, Zane has been coming to work with me for the past 5 years. He started his career when I was on the Cutter Sawfish and as seen duty on the Great Lakes and is now with me at the station. The first day Zane reported aboard he was not given a warm welcome by Sampson in fact they went fist to cuffs and Zane I am ashamed to admit lost, in fact it was a pretty weak performance on Zanes part. But anyway Sampson's run in with Zane was not his first or only run in with other dogs, in fact I learned that many members of the station at one point or another brought their dogs in only to be greeted with the same warm invitation which Zane received. Sampson is an equally opportunity bully he doesn't just focus his frustrations on other dogs it can be anyone, from the pizza delivery man, to boy scouts visiting the station he's chased and cornered them all. So after Zane, and Sampson's little scuffle I decided I was going excert my authority as the Officer in Charge and transfer this devil dog to some unsuspecting family. However, as many families as I transferred Sampson to he always managed to came back. Some brought him back because they feared for their cats lives, or even sometimes I believe their own lives. So after a year Sampson is still onboard causing mayhem!

Though I have to admit I wouldn't lose any sleep if Sampson where to go A-wall, in fact I don't think I would even place him on report. But, since I have been onboard Sampson has worked his way in with me. I can't help but laugh at some of the things he does. As I said Sampson is a nondiscriminatory bully, it even goes for marine life that may be passing by the station. One particular day some manatees decided to come by the station which they often do, but on this day Sampson was having no part of the them. He decided to jump off the sea wall and go after the manatee's. What Sampson didn't take into account was the manatee out weighed Sampson by about 800 pounds. So after Sampson ever so gracefully entered the water the manatee decided he really didn't feel like playing with Sampson and quickly batted him with his tail. Upon being hit by the Manatees tail he flew out of the water about 5 feet. After his aeriel trip courtesy of air manatee he quickly realized that he was in over his head and quickly made for shore. This was not Sampson's last run in with the marine mammals though. Sampson often finds it resistible to watch the dolphins swimming near the station docks without going after them.

Sampson like any good sailor worth a salt often manages to find himself in a little trouble once in awhile, but knows when business needs to be taken care of. He has manged to live up to the all the other colorful Coast Guard mascots that have come before him and he certainly adds something unique to Station Ponce. And as fitting as it is Sampson has found some great friends at the station in MK2 K. Parkman, and BM3 A. Heald who take him home once in awhile to give both myself and Sampson a break from each other. I guess it's fitting Sampons a sailor and can only get along with other sailors just like himself.

And I have to admit I think I've lost my battle with Sampson and have to come to terms with the fact that Sampson probably really is in charge.