To the can-do Sundew

Port Director Davis Helberg in January presented Lt. Cdr. Michael Husak, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Sundew, with a plaque commemorating the icebreaker's role in keeping the Twin Ports open for business in the late and early weeks of the shipping season. The presentation was made before 78 participants of a Port industry tour aboard the vessel.

Davis Helberg presents a plaque to Lt. Cdr. Michael Husak.

In 1994, upon the 50th birthday of the cutter, Mr. Helberg wrote a "Toast to the Sundew." This is an excerpt:

Fifty years ago,
When I was three,
A small proud ship
Set forth to see
Its destiny
In a world gone mad,
Aflame with war.

Oh, but she was
A fine smart craft,
All shiny and sleek
Both forward and aft,
And primed for
The times, back in
Forty-and-four.

Built in Duluth
By Marine Iron and Ship,
She was born with
Fresh water huggin' her hips
In this cool
of the North - No
Salt on her lips.

Her first ports of call
Were all in Lake Mich.,
Below the Mac Straits,
A three-decade hitch,
And then she came home,
Back where she was born,
To work on the buoys - And
Keep the girls warm.

She's done her work well,
Three cheers for the crew,
Both present and past,
Because they all knew
They were serving
Their flag - And
Lakes shipping, too.

Now *Adm'l Hull is special,
*Mr. Diehl is first class,
*Mr. Husak's terrific,
What more could you ask …
But the crew! Ah, the crew -
They're all you could want
Cuz you know it's The Sundew -
The Sun-do! It ain't the Sun-don't!

And here she should stay,
This jewel of the lake,
So let's take a vow:
Let's do what it takes
To keep her in port,
To keep her aglow,
For posterity's sake.

*Names updated.