Age Group:
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Program Description
Event Details
From Sea to Service: a Vietnamese Refugee’s Incredible Journey to Honor his Promise a book talk with Mike Graner
From Sea to Service begins with the miraculous rescue of a young boy, Marc Nguyen, from the terrors of the Vietnam War. Mike Graner, a teacher, Coast Guard officer, and school district leader tells his story in this riveting memoir.
About the Book
From Sea to Service begins with the miraculous rescue of a young boy, Marc Nguyen,
from the terrors of the Vietnam War. Marc was lifted to the safety of a U.S. ship by
clinging to a cargo net, but watched in horror as exhausted mothers and babies
dropped from the cargo net into the raging sea and drowned. Seeing the devastation,
Marc promised that if he survived, he would live a life of service to others.
After brief stays in refugee camps, Marc and his family were relocated in New
Orleans; however, he spoke no English and did not adjust well in or out of school. An
uncle, a Catholic priest teaching at Boston College, arranged for Marc to live with a
family near Boston. He excelled as a student athlete and was accepted at the US Coast
Guard Academy. Throughout his Academy demanding experience, he displayed
uncommon perseverance and determination. He viewed the Coast Guard as the
vehicle for honoring his promise.
Marc's memoir contains a series of extremely unlikely events including Senator Ted
Kennedy expediting his citizenship just weeks before Marc had to report to the Coast
Guard Academy. Marc's career was highlighted by his selection to lead a major US
military delegation to Hanoi to help to stabilize diplomatic relations with Vietnam and
open Vietnamese ports to international trade. Marc retired as a Coast Guard
Commander in 2007; he continues to gratefully pay it forward through medical
missions to Vietnam. From Sea to Service is a story of remarkable determination,
resilience and contribution that is an inspiration for all who struggle with daunting
challenges.
About the Author
Dr. Michael Graner grew up in New York City; following his graduation from
Fordham University in 1971, he began his teaching career in the South Bronx. He
completed a Master's Degree at Columbia University Teachers College in 1976. He
then attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a Coast Guard
officer. In the mid 1980s he served as a Humanities instructor at the Coast Guard
Academy; while at the Academy, he earned a Ph.D. in Education from the University
of Connecticut. He retired as a Captain from the US Coast Guard Reserve in 2002.
After leaving active duty, he served as a high school principal and as the
Superintendent of Schools in Putnam, Ledyard and Groton, Connecticut. In 2021 Dr.
Graner retired after 50 years as a teacher, Coast Guard officer and school district
leader. He lives with his wife, Deborah, in Mystic, Connecticut.
Disclaimer(s)
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Waitlist
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