COAST GUARD STATION FORT PIERCE HONORS OUTGOING COMMANDER AND WELCOMES NEW ARRIVAL

FT. PIERCE, FL - At a 5:00pm ceremony on Friday July 10, Chief Warrant Officer David G. Ladomirak relieved Chief Warrant Officer Todd A.Kagarise as the commanding officer of Coast Guard Station Ft. Pierce. Presiding at the ceremony was Captain James Fitton, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Miami, assisted by the Station's Executive Petty Officer Jose Tabar and Honorary Chief Petty Officer Joseph Ryker.

In addition to remarks summarizing the Station's accomplishments and performance under the outgoing commanding officer, Captain Fitton formally recognized Chief Warrant Officer Kagarise's achievements with the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, the third of his career.

CWO Kagarise's new assignment is to a supervisory position at the Coast Guard's Leadership and Management School in Petaluma, California.

The incoming commander, Chief Warrant Officer David Ladomirak, comes to Station Ft. Pierce from the staff of the Seventh Coast Guard District in Miami, where he served as the Small Boat Manager. Positions previously held include service aboard the Coast Guard Cutter VALIANT in the navigation division and deck watch officer, and as Executive Petty Officer of Aids to Navigation Team Miami.

CWO Ladomirak has been in the Coast Guard since 1991, is an honor graduate of the Chief Warrant Officer Professional Development Course, and has a degree in Administrative Management. He is married and has two children.

The change of command is a time-honored ceremony that marks the official passing of command from one officer to another in the presence of the unit's company. It includes the formal reading of official orders by the officer to be relieved and the relieving officer, followed by the statement, "I relieve you, sir." The outgoing officer then replies, "I stand relieved."

In addition to the official relief process, this ceremony gives an opportunity for recognition of the outgoing commander and for the incoming commander to introduce themselves to the unit's personnel. It is often attended by family and friends of both commanders, as it is a career milestone for both.

Located on Seaway Drive, Coast Guard Station Ft. Pierce serves an area of responsibility that extends from Vero Beach to south of the St. Lucie River inlet, west to include Lake Okeechobee and east to 20 miles offshore. The station is staffedwith 35 active duty personnel, 12 reservists, and is supported by 4 flotillas of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.