Funeral service to be held for first African-American graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy

AMTV, NEW LONDON, Conn. — A funeral service for retired U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Merle J. Smith, Jr., will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, July 9 at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Chapel.

The health and safety of all attendees is paramount as the pandemic continues. In accordance with Coast Guard Academy COVID-19 protocols, attendees will be required to provide a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card or a negative COVID-19 test taken 72 hours before the funeral service for seating within the Chapel.

Verification of COVID-19 requirements will occur at the Deshon Street Gate. Unvaccinated individuals or individuals who cannot provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test will not be able to enter the chapel and instead will be required to view the service socially distanced and masked via livestream in Leamy Hall Auditorium.