From 1971 to 1975 I was out of the Coast Guard. I did 2 years sailing on the Great Lakes as a part of the Merchant Marine. The Ship I was on was the SS Benjamen F. Fairless, a 646 foot long Iron Ore Carrier. We carried 18,ooo gross tons of irron ore on four of the upper Great Lakes. We sailed from middle of April until eary February. The only time we were moored was to load or to unload. I was first an Ordinary Seaman and then I had enought time with both my Coast Guard seatime and my Mergenct Sea Time to get my Ablebody Seaman papers.
I then moved to Arizona and constructed 2 houses and did a couple of other jobs before I rejoned the USCG in 1975.
After retiring in June 1996, I worked as a volinter at my Congreation I was attending in Atlantic Beach, FL. I was taking care of the Church grounds driving Senior Citzezens to and from Church Services and a few other things for the Church.
I then began working as a Vehicle Emmission Inspector in Jacksonviille, FL. I left that job just before that company closed its doors.
From Vehicle Inspector I went to Protoring Exams. These exams were for different employers begiven to possible employment for people.
I then worked with a Lawn Cutting Company servicing 30 yards per week.
From cutting grass I began working at Blcokbuster Video in Jacksonville. After working with five Store Managers and six years I moved to Montgomery, AL. My wife, Pam, got a job at Faulkner University in Montgomery. Needless to say I wasn't going to stay in Jacksonville and have a long distance marrage.  So after selling our house in Jacksonvile I moved to Montgomeery and rejoined my wife. We bought another home and in January 2006 I began working Security at
Faulkner where I have been since.
On May 31, 2014, I retired for the second time. This time from Faulkner University Security. I now work as a volnee for what is now Faulkner University Police Department eight hours per week if and when I choose to do so.
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Other Comments:
Each Gold Strip under my Rating patch represents 4 years of services. Had I been able to stay in the Coast Guard another 2 years I would have earned my seventh Gold Stripe. Wasnpt ment to be. .
The Badge being diplayed in the Official Badges is the Enlisted Command Badge. This Badge was worn by me while I was station at Marine Safety Office in Corpus Christi, Texas from 1987 tilntil I began my 18 monts of Wepon Class "C" Schools in Gratr Lakes, IL, Yourk Town, VA, San Diego, CA, and Governor Island New York, NY in 1991. The Badge ment if any Elisted Person had a problem and I could go straight to the Commanding Officer with out going throug a chain of comand.
The Medal being disaplayed in the Unofficial Badges is the Cold War Victory Medal. It is for those who served in the U.S, Military in the time period between September 3, 1945 to December 26, 1991, It is not authorized to be worn with the other Award.
 My Dad, George D. Winstein, Capt, USCG (Ret), who spent 30 yearof service in the Coast Guard. From July 8 1941 to August 1, 1971.
The Red and White Flag with the Blue Star, my oldest son, Doug Winstein, CWO4, USCG . To date 26+ years of service.
