This week, Joan Collins from the Pea Island Preservation Society joins me again to discuss Richard Etheridge, the first Black man to serve as keeper in the US Life Saving Service. Born into slavery, Etheridge fought for the Union army during the Civil War. Afterwards, he returned home to the Outer Banks of North Carolina where he re-entered service as a life saver, more specifically, surfman number 6, the lowest ranking position. Join me this week to learn how Etheridge distinguished himself time and again, climbing through the ranks despite all obstacles, despite the color of his skin, to lead, to serve, to fight, on behalf of humanity.  

Check out the Pea Island Preservation Society

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Sources: 

• "Fire on the Beach: Recovering the Lost Story of Richard Etheridge and the Pea Island Lifesavers" by David Wright and David Zoby (affiliate link)
• "Etheridge Homeplace: a History" by Penne Smith
• United States Coast Guard "Captain Richard Etheridge, Keeper, USLSS"
• National Park Service "Richard Etheridge"
• Wikipedia "Pea Island Life Saving Station"
• American Battlefield Trust "Richard Etheridge and the Pea Island Life Saving Station"
• The Outer Banks Voice "Darrell Collins Passed to the Great Beyond"
• United States Coast Guard "The Long Blue Line 'To Never Halt or Falter'"
• Coastwatch "Pea Island Surfmen Prove Themselves on a Heroic Night"
• US Life Saving Service Heritage Association "History of the USLSS"
• Wikitree "John Burgess Etheridge"

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