Cmdr. Keith Ropella, commanding officer Coast Guard Cutter SPAR, dsicusses the legacy of the SPARs with Vice Adm. Sally Brice-O'Hara, vice commandant, during a visit aboard the SPAR Sept. 3, 2010. SPAR's officer and chief's mess detialed the crew's experience in the Arctic as part of severla annual exercises for Brice-O'Hara and Alice Hill, senior counselor to the secretary of Homeland Security, as well as the many challenges of operating in Alaska. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Sara Francis.)