Exciting Presentation & Book Signing Sept. 16th

[Paul]

On the afternoon of November 29, 1960, two-year-old Tammy Burnham almost lost her life when the small skiff she was in capsized in Wood Island Harbor. Because of deteriorating weather conditions, the United States Coast Guard called off the...search for her and her rescuer, Seaman Edward Syvinski USCG.

Tammy’s father, Laurier Burnham, was the lighthouse keeper on Wood Island, where the family lived. When told of the accident, Burnham was ordered to remain on the island. Once he realized the commanding officer had called off the search for his child and the missing Coastguardsman, Burnham set out, against orders, searching for them himself. He found his child and the seaman, but both were near death. Burnham successfully transported them to the larger USCG boat.

Unfortunately, their problems did not end there as the USCG boat was disoriented in the fog and heavy breaking seas. A local lobsterman would finally render assistance and play a major part in saving little Tammy’s life.

All rescuers were ordered to silence by superior officers. A gag order was implemented resulting in a delay of over 30 years before the men involved became recognized and awarded. Tammy Burnham’s sister played a central role in making the facts public. Today, over 50 years later, Edward Syvinski, who held onto Tammy that fateful night and fought for their very lives, authors his own chapter in ROGUE WAVE, breaking his silence at last. The story has a history of controversy, but readers will easily reach their own conclusions about who and what to believe.

Come to the Maine Lighthouse Museum on Sunday, September 16th at 1;00 PM for a Fantastic Presentation and Book Signing by Author Margo Alley! Tell your friends and family members about this unique opportunity to pick up a great book and have it signed by the author! For more information you may call the museum at 207 594-3301, check our website at http://www.mainelighthousemuseum.org or Follow us on Facebook.

[island]

This is a rather controversial account. There are statements that do not compute. I am very familiar with the location where this incident happened and knew some of the people at the station at the time, and know the author.

Tammy Burnham’s sister played a central role in making the facts public.

This sister was only a couple of months old at the time so her account was from what she was told by others over the years much of which was hearsay and embellished over time. There was no gag order, just that of the normal protocol.

The problem with this book is it alleges incompetence and inappropriate actions on the part of others, and in particular on the part of the station officer-in-charge who was not interviewed for this book. And why not? This is his statement.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqvkfJKLNYk

That which proceeded this incident is highly questionable and irresponsible, that keeper Burnham took his ill and temporarily disabled wife, infant daughter and two-year old daughter to this island location and during early winter.

[MonasMoe]

A fraudulent history of Wood Island Lighthouse is being marketed to the public. People should be aware of the commitment of USCG Veterans to have the record set straight in their lifetime. If you are concerned about the integrity of the USCG and an accurate record of American history recommend us to your friends, suggest that they follow and comment as well. "Like" us at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wood-Isla ... 982?ref=hl. We will connect with supporters through the Wood Island Lighthouse The USCG Rescue Of Tammy Burnham page. We can also be reached at: maurenekennedy@sbcglobal.net and kennedymarine@hotmail.com if you would like to contact us personally with any questions or helpful information you may have regarding the people, places, time period, or some fact that may not seem important but could be helpful to add to the documentation of this case. Thank you from the families of the US Coast Guardsmen aboard CG30414 who transported Tammy Burnham from Wood Island Lighthouse to Biddeford Pool, ME, on November 29, 1960, for your support. The USCG must take responsibility for the error of LT CMDR Kristopher G. Furtney's report of 1992, and the Awards & Citations given under false pretenses, so that the crew of Fletchers Neck Lifeboat Station, who were dedicated to their sworn duty may have their true and rightful legacy as US Coast Guardsmen.