25 years ago this summer, I swore an oath of enlistment to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States from all enemies, foreign and domestic. I swore this oath on the flight deck of the US Coast Guard Cutter Douglas Munro at Coast Guard island in Alameda, CA.
I finished my enlistment honorably in 2005. The Douglas Munro, named for the Coast Guard’s only Medal of Honor recipient, finished her term honorably in 2021. But neither of us was finished serving. For me, further service meant swearing another oath to defend the Constitution on May 26, 2020, while joining the U.S. Foreign Service as a diplomat. For the Douglas Munro, further service involved a transfer to the Sri Lankan Navy and a rechristening as the SLNS Vijayabahu. The new name is in honor of one of Sri Lanka’s ancient kings, and represents vision and service.
In June 2025, the current crew of the Vijayabahu welcomed our family aboard. They expressed deep thankfulness to the people of the United States for the ship, and are honored to keep serving in the tradition of the U.S. Coastguardmen who sailed before them. All over the ship, there are mementos and markers, signs of the former American crew. The Sri Lankan sailors even enjoy watching deployment videos from the previous crew. Incredibly, the officers told me these videos, meant to help remember good work and good times, are lessons in organizational culture and management practices.
The Munro/Vijayabahu is in good hands. The Coast Guardsmen who sailed her can be proud of her continuing legacy.