"Coastie" joining the festivities on the White House lawn, talking with children and their parents about being safe on the water.

It is easy to determine when spring has officially arrived, especially in Washington, DC. You can tell by the thousands of children, dressed in their finest Easter suits and dresses, making their way to the White House for the annual Easter Egg Roll, Easter Egg Hunt and other festivities with the First Family.

On Easter Monday of 1878, during the administration of President Rutherford B. Hayes, the Easter Egg Roll became open to the public. It is reported that President Hayes, while taking his daily walk, was approached by a group of youngsters who asked about egg rolling on the South Lawn.

President Hayes then issued an official order that should any children arrive they would be allowed to do so. This officially opened the White House grounds for the Annual Easter Egg Roll which has been continued by successive Presidents and has become a White House tradition ever since.

This year the ceremonies were hosted by President George Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. Twenty-two thousand invitations were issued to children and their families to attend this year’s egg roll and fifteen thousand eggs were prepared for the festivities.

Children who competed in the egg roll were charged with pushing their eggs down a marked course with a large spoon. However some of the eggs took a much higher trajectory causing many onlookers to duck for cover. The festivities also included an Easter egg hunt, musicians, face painting and story book readings by dignitaries.

"Coastie's" crew at the White House were (l to r) Carolyn Riggins, Robert Riggins, David Adams and Chief Petty Officer Michelle Birchfield, USCG

In attendance for this year’s ceremonies was "Coastie #30", along with his crew from the Coast Guard Auxiliary 5th District Southern Region. Coastie is always a popular attraction for children and adults of all ages who are completely amazed by the vocal and mobile interaction between the hidden operator and spectators.

This year the operators for "Coastie" were Robert Riggins and Carolyn Riggins from Flotilla 15-2 and David Adams from Flotilla 14-7.

"Coastie" reported that he is looking forward to next year’s Easter Egg Roll and all the other White House festivities, where he can urge all the children and their families to wear their life jackets when on or near the water.