Fayetteville mom fights for Coast Guard funding amid government shutdown

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- Hundreds of thousands of federal workers are preparing to go without their first paycheck amid the government shutdown, including Coast Guard service members.

The Kinstreys always knew their son belonged on the water, it just took him 19 years to find his way.

"He tried the college thing and he said, 'Dad I'm kind of frustrated with college. I need to do something,'" said John Kinstrey Jr.

John Kinstrey III joined the United States Coast Guard in 1999, completing several tours overseas.

The father of two is now stationed in Alaska and will be without a paycheck as the government shutdown moves into week three.

"He begins to wonder: How am I going to pay my mortgage? How am I going to feed my children?" his mother Sharon Kinstrey explained.

The Department of Defense is funded through the fiscal year, but the Coast Guard falls under Homeland Security.

"Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines-they are all recognized. They're not going to have a problem. The Coast Guard is just like them," Sharon Kinstrey said.

Like any good parent, the Kinstreys are fighting for their son and others like him, bombarding Congress with calls and letters.

So far, there is a bill on the Senate floor to fund the Coast Guard but until it is passed, its Semper Paratus--the official motto of the U.S. Coast Guard which translated means always ready.

"He told us today, he said 'I'll have to go out and find a job. How much longer is this going to go on?'" Kinstrey said.