Breeze
SPRING 2017
Newsletter of District 7 • United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
Judith Lee Hudson: Back to Basics
Flotilla 44 Daytona Beach Celebrates 75th Anniversary
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COMO
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Back ck to t Basics...Respect. COMO OMO Judith J Lee Hudson
Gary P. B Barth, DCOS
News ews from fro D7 West
A Lifeti Lifetime of Service Lifet Submitted by COMO Judith Submitte Lee Hud Hudson; written by John ADSO-PB 7 Quinn, A
Frank rankk Wo Wondolkowski, W CAPT-W AP DCAPT-W
WHAT’S INSIDE....
Flotilla lotilla tilla 11-7 H Hudson: Division ivision 11’s Northern Light ight ht Steven Summer, FSO-PB teven ven Summ
About out Flotilla 11 11-7 1 Hudson on homas mas Loughlin Lough Thomas Loughlin,VFC
A Family Affair
William liam Griswold Appointed to Boating o National Safe B Council ouncil nc 7 Maryy Patton, DSO-PA DSO
nda a Jones,FC 15-1 1 Linda
Paddlers addlers ddlers Wante Wanted
What at is a Skills Bank? Mary Patton, DSO DSO-PA 7
Don on Goff, N-PC
NSBW SBW BW 2017: What W Wh Will Your Focus On our Division Fo This his s Year?
Station Fort Lau Lauderdale La Holiday Party Barbara arbara Dombrow Dombrowski, FSOPA 38
Diane iane e Riggan, BC-ACN BC
Division 7 Me Members Support the 2017 Tampa Bay Frogman ogman Swim Swim. Henry Norris, F FSO-PB 72
Auxiliary and Ar Army NaA tional ional Guard CollaboraCo tion n Linda Jones, FC 1 15-1
Think Auxiliary! Auxiliary
Flotilla 44 Dayton Daytona Beach Dayto Celebrates 75 Ye Years Yea
Petty ty Officer 2nd C Class Anthonyy L. Soto, U.S.C.G U.S.C.G.
Submitted by Willia William and Zoraida Sorrentino
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D-TRAIN Diary 2 2016 Maryy Patton, DSO-P DSO-PA DSO- 7
5 9 12 16 18 20 22 25
New ew Dis District Di 7 Awards Progra Program
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Housekeeping fr from the he Editor By Dottie Riley, DSO DSO-PB 7
Cover photo: ORLANDO, Florida: COMO Richard Washburn, National Commodore presents Connie Irvin the National Public Affairs Directorate’s photography contest award for her photo in the Team Coast Guard category at the 7th District Training Meeting Sept. 23, 2016. Photo by Mary Patton
Use Social Media to Help Spread the Boating Safely Message-Page 27 BREEZE
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Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary
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BREEZE Volume LXIII Spring 2017 Read the BREEZE online at: www.uscga-district-7.org/breeze.html
District Staff Officers
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD District Commander
District 7 Staff Officers
Prevention Directorate
Rear Admiral Scott A. Buschman
Lawrence S. Berman, DDC-P Edward E. Pratt, DSO-MS Alberto Miguel Juliachs, DSO-MT Agnes K. Mical, DSO-NS Diane Berman, DSO-PV Jules H. Moquin, DSO-PE William S. Griswold, DSO-SL Chuck Kelemen, DSO-VE
Director of Auxiliary District 7
CDR Xaimara Vicencio-Roldan Operations Training Officer
CWO4 Charles (Bee) Perry U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
Response Directorate
District Commodore
Jonathan Ward Nicholls, DDC-R Tommy Robert Augustsson, DSO-AV Donald L. Wellons, DSO-CM H. Festus Burchfield, DSO-OP William F. Hanlon III, DSO-IM
Commodore Judith Lee Hudson District Chief of Staff
Gary P. Barth Immediate Past District Commodore
Logistics Directorate Daniel C. Hess, DDC-L David A. Hastings, DSO-CS Thomas Allen Lane, DSO-DV Paulette R. Parent, DSO-FS Angela Pomaro, DSO-HR Susan Z. Hastings, DSO-IS Craig De-Toma, DSO-MA Mary Barbara Patton, DSO-PA Dorothy J. Riley, DSO-PB Diane Riggan, NSBW Coordinator Alejandro de Quesada, D7 Historian David A. Hastings, Webmaster
Commodore Robert Weskerna District Captain North
Patricia Ann McMenamin District Captain West
Frank A. Wondolkowski District Captain East
Russel Dewey Jackson Auxiliary Sector Coordinators ASC Sector Charleston
COMO Henry G. Pratt III
Others Jullianne Bouchard, DSO-SR Douglas L. Armstrong, DFSO Carl Dalton Motes, DSO-LP James F. Stone, DSO-FN Theresa Sweeney, PPCA District Administrative Assistant & Aide Manuel Sosa Jr., D-AA Nicole R. Betterson,D-AD Teresa A. Barth, D-AD-P Carolyn R. Hooley, D-AD William W. Bartley, D-AD Alejandro M. De-Quesada, D-AD-H Robert J. Hoffman, D-AD Gerald Randolph Patton, D-AD Phillip Todd Poole, D-AD-LL
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Division Commanders
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ASC Sector Jacksonville
Maxine Elizabeth Rattrie ASC Sector Key West
Elsie S. Metcalf ASC Sector Miami
Marcelo Freire ASC Sector St. Petersburg
Ronald R. Howington ASC Sector San Juan
Javier Bernabe
Division Division Division Division Division Division Division Division Division Division Division Division Division Division Division Division Division
1..................Angel R. Rivera 2..John D. Sprague-Williams 3.................Joseph C. Aleba 4 ...............Charles R. Elliott 5.................William T. Butler 6............Benjamin R. Kidder 7................Eugene S. Keller 8.................Murray. D. Price 9...........Thomas W. Bamford 10............Donald L. Wellons 11...............Jesse Aron Scott 12.................Allen N. James 13............Susan K. Redding 14................David L. Patrick 15.............Andrew J. Render 16............Rosemarie Moscia 17...............John W. Holmes
BREEZE is the official publication of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary District 7 to provide articles of interest and information to its members. All articles and photographs submitted must be consistent with the policies of the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary. Electronic submissions are encouraged. Send high resolution images as attachments not embedded within a document or email. BREEZE articles and photographs may be reprinted with proper attribution to BREEZE and the author/ photographer. Send comments and submissions to: dottieriley1@verizon.net or to senior editor John L. Quinn: editor.uscgaux.d7.breeze@ gmail.com Personal information of members is protected by the Privacy Act of 1974. The use of these rosters, addresses and telephone numbers on any computer or online service including the Internet is prohibited by the Act. Submission deadlines: Mar. 15, June 15, Sept. 15, Nov. 30, 2017.
Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary
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Commodore Judith Lee Hudson
FROM THE DISTRICT 7 BRIDGE
Back to Basics…Respect When we cooperate, work together and listen to each other calmly, we can resolve issues, overcome problems and achieve much more. That approach leads to respect.
In the first four months of 2017, I visited six divisions and four flotillas – mostly for changes of watch and regular meetings. All have been well organized, informational, and, definitely educational for me. I have listened and learned from every one of you that I have had the good fortune to be with. I always learn from you when I visit and try to listen to what you are conveying – whether it is a best practice, a request for assistance, a suggestion to improve a procedure, information on an upcoming event, or the telling of a successful mission. Listening and learning are available on a continuing basis every day in the Auxiliary. As you know, two of the District watchwords are Listening and Learning. We just need to make sure that we are focusing on what others are saying versus thinking about what we are going to say, or being distracted by noise, movements or our personal thoughts. Paying attention in class and when we are performing a task for the first time to ensure we remember how to do it correctly is how we retain what we are learning to the maximum. When we make listening and learning two honed and automatic habits, we realize how enjoyable it is and what fun we can have listening to others, and learning from them. Recently, the culture in our world has been turning away from listening and learning – at times almost refusing to do so. That translates into a lack of respect. There have been a few instances of Auxiliary members being rude, inconsiderate and insensitive to each other, to members of the DIRAUX staff, and to the Coast Guard. We all want to be our best and do our best, but frustration sets in when processes break down when we don’t agree, and when things go wrong. The Coast Guard and the Auxiliary are based on a BREEZE
culture of respect – it is our core – Honor, Respect and Devotion to Duty. If we get upset, let us all stop and think before we speak, take a deep breath, perhaps decide just to listen instead. Why not leave that emotional email to the next day, and rewrite it before we send it. When we cooperate, work together and listen to each other calmly, we can resolve issues, overcome problems and achieve much more. That approach leads to respect. Making fellowship and fun a big part of our every day lives in the Auxiliary can help ensure that respect too. Good humor and laughing with each other should be as much a part of our classes and missions as listening and learning. Fellowship not only gives us the opportunity to get to know each other in a relaxed and natural way, but makes it clear how much we have in common, how wonderful our different experiences are, and how easy it is to make life-long friends. Don’t miss the fellowship and fun in the Auxiliary. It is there, and you can be a part of it As always, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve with you. I have more appreciation all the time for what you contribute, how much you share, and what a difference you are making. Thank you!
Judith Hudson
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Gary Barth, District Chief of Staff FROM THE DISTRICT 7 BRIDGE
New District 7 Awards Program District 7 has a new Awards Program that is designed to be more “user� friendly for members writing awards. So far, there have been four (4) online workshops to assist members in the new program and in writing awards. The new program is intended to clarify and define the District 7 Awards pPogram for Auxiliarists. Awards are generated by Auxiliarists and intended to be approved through the Auxiliary Chain of Leadership to the District Commodore for final review and approval of the award. This process does not apply to awards generated by the Active Duty Coast Guard for Auxiliary performance and support. The process for those awards is governed by the appropriate Station, Sector, District or Commandant Instruction and are reviewed by the Auxiliary Liaison Officer (AUXof LO) and forwarded to the Director of Auxiliary. Our Awards Program is designed to acknowledge extraordinary achievements of extraordinary members, those who extended themselves beyond expectation in contributing their skills, talents and experiences to a mission, project, d and/or program of the Coast Guard and/or Auxiliary. to Our aim with the Awards Program is to eccia ate ted d make Auxiliary members feel appreciated ect ctiv ivvel elyy and recognized for their work, collectively rel elev evan ev antt an and individually, for the awards to be relevant ord ded d. District D st Di s ri rict ct and appropriate for the results recorded. o Auxiliarists or Aux u illia iari r st ri ss Seven awards strive to reinforce for ted te d partner part pa rtne rt nerr off ne the feeling that they are an integrated the Coast Guard Team and are making a difference in the maritime missions that are our purpose. Awards should acknowledge and reflect the significant impact and results of Auxiliary contributions to the general public as well as to BREEZE
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our Coast Guard and recreational boating safety customers. There are several changes in the new program. The Meritorious Team Commendation (MTC) and the Auxiliary Commandants Letter of Commendation (ACLOC) no longer go through the District Captains. Instead, when the Flotilla Commander and the Division Commander approve the award, it goes directly the District 7 Commodore. All other awards do go via the District Captains. Also, there are now checklists for each award. The checklist must be checked by each pe p ersson in in the th he Chain C person of Leadership and Mana ag ge em men entt (COLM) (COL (C OL along the way and forwarded agement a al on ong ng with w th wi h the the Citation and the new District 7 along 1650 16 50 0. The T e new Th ne n ew District 7 1650 provides for five 1650. ( ) signature (5 siignat gn na attu blocks when the regular 1650 (5) h s only ha on nlyy three t has (3) signature blocks. There a ar e now no ow flow charts showing the process are ffor fo or aw warrds when submitted by members and awards th the relationship to each award. A se section lists the dates that National A Awards are due via the COLM to tthe Commodore. th O On the District 7 webpage, in the b boxes in the lower right side, there iss a yellow box titled AWARDS. If you yo u click on the AWARDS box, it wi i bring up a page dealing with will a awards. The District 7 Awards Prog gram manual along with templates a an and other information pertaining to aw awards is on this page. The manual also contains hyperlinks for some of the National and external awards. By clicking on the hyperlink, the members is able to see what actions are required and what forms and/or paperwork (Continued on page 6)
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FROM THE DISTRICT 7 BRIDGE
are required. The District 7 Awards Writing Team can provide valuable assistance in the writing of the awards. To utilize this service, send your request to: District7Awards@gmail.com. Be sure to send five or six bullet points for the Awards Writing Team to have the correct information allowing them to assist in writing the award. Be sure that the award has verifiable and quantitative data to support the award, stating the what, how and the results.
Remember, any member can write an award for another member. It is now much easier with the District 7 Awards Writing Team. With awards season right around the corner, please take advantage of the new District 7 Awards Program and utilize the District 7 Awards Writing Team if help is needed. Let’s strive to recognize those members who put forth the extra effort and go above and beyond and reward them for their excellent efforts. Link to the District 7 Awards Page: http://uscga-district-7.org/awards.html Ω
Gary P. Barth, DCOS 7
Auxiliary National Training Conference 2017
St. Louis—One of the first duties- and pleasures of the newly elected bridge is to represent District 7 at the annual Coast Guard Auxiliary National Training Conference January 2017. Gary P. Barth, District Chief of Staff and COMO Judith Lee Hudson are seated side by side at the business meeting. United States Coast Guard Auxiliary photo by Mel Borofsky
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FROM THE DISTRICT 7 BRIDGE
Frank Wondolkowski, District Captain-West
F
rom the Florida-Georgia line and the Fenholloway River in northwest Florida to south of the Ten Thousand Islands in southwest Florida, and from the interior of the state to the Gulf of Mexico, the Team West Area of District Seven includes Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor as well as rivers and lakes too numerous to mention. Within that area, more than 1,500 Auxiliarists serve and support Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater (the largest single command in the U. S. Coast Guard), Sector St. Petersburg and five Coast Guard Stations along the Gulf of Mexico.
geographical area includes large rural areas as well as towns and cities including Gainesville and Ocala. Andy Render, Division Commander, provides leadership to Division 15’s six flotillas and over 210 active members. Division 11 covers the area of responsibility of Coast Guard Station Sand Key located in Clearwater. This active division is focused on operations including training support to both Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater and Station Sand Key. Jesse Scott is in his first year as Division Commander providing leadership to over 260 active members in six flotillas in Division 11.
Team West on-the-water Division 7 covers members are the Tampa-St. coxswains and Petersburg area crew members including much on Auxiliary faof Tampa Bay. cilities and crew Eugene Keller, in TAMPA BAY, Fla.—Team West on-the-water members are on Coast Guard coxswains and crew members on Auxiliary facilities and crew on his second year vessels. Team as Division ComCoast Guard vessels. They assist in search and rescue missions West members mander, leads also serve as Aux- and Coast Guard stations for active duty training. Photo by this dynamic iliary Air Pilots and Valerie Fernandes division which asAir Crew. Auxiliasists Coast Guard rists are watchstanders, radio operators, vessel Station St. Petersburg in Tampa Bay port securiinspectors, food service specialists, instructors, ty and is the lead division each year in providing marine dealer visitors and keep tabs on aids to on-the-water support for the Gasparilla Invasion navigation. As the only volunteer organization of Tampa. The division has approximately 320 in the Department of Homeland Security, the active members in seven flotillas. Auxiliary is the eyes and ears for the U. S. Coast Guard in the air and on the waters of the west Division 8, located South of Tampa Bay, incoast of Florida. cludes Sarasota and serves the area of responsibility of Coast Guard Station Cortez. Division 8 Division 15 in northwest Florida has expertise in reaches from South Tampa Bay on the north to providing on the water support to Coast Guard Boca Grande Pass on the south. Murray Price is Station Yankeetown whose area of responsibility the Division Commander and leads this division includes long winding rivers and the treacher(Continued on page 6) ous waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The division’s BREEZE
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(Continued from page 7)
FROM THE DISTRICT 7 BRIDGE
which excels in all areas of Recreational Boating Safety as well as operations. The division has six flotillas and nearly 270 active members. Division 9, our largest and southernmost Division, serves Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach and the Southwest Florida boating public. Division 9 provides administrative support and training to nine flotillas located across a geographic area that extends from the Gulf of Mexico on the west to Lake Okeechobee on the east, and from Cape Haze on the north to the Thousand Islands to the south. Tom Bamford is the Division Commander and provides leadership of this large and active division comprised of over 450 Auxiliarists. The Auxilarists of Sector St. Petersburg personify the D7 motto of “Persistent Personal Progress for Relevant Service.” Ω Photograph: SARASOTA BAY, Fla.—Division 8 members participate in a flare demonstration during National Safe Boating Week. Recreational Boating Safety is a priority throughout the west area of responsibility. Photo by James Toomey
Auxiliary National Training Conference Aug. 24-27
Click here to watch an informative video about NACON: https://youtu.be/JBkj4vKiwiM BREEZE
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Orlando, Florida
Click here to register or to see video about local attractions: https://www.cgauxa.org/auxa/nacon-2017/
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From Coast Guard Cutter Plank Owner to Volunteer Service in the Auxiliary: One Member Continues a Lifetime of Service.
MEMBER FOCUS
Submitted by COMO Judith Hudson, edited by John Quinn, ADSO-PB 7
Christopher Cohan, currently a member of Flotilla 65 Miamo South, pictured with his father when the younger Cohan served as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard. Photo provided by Chris Cohan
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hristopher Cohan is a “plank owner” for the Coast Guard Cutter MOHAWK. In fact, as the independent Yeoman, he was the first crew member assigned to the cutter and was given a desk in the Tactical Law Enforcement Team (TACLET) office in Key West as he transferred the crew to Key West and then flew them up to the Navy Yard in Newport, Rhode Island, to pick up the Cutter. He has many fond memories from his time aboard the “Mighty MO,” from diving off the bridge-wing on the O-3 deck during swim call, to being at the helm during a hurricane at night doing 45-degree rolls and taking green water over the forecastle and spray over the 65’ superstructure. He still remembers the three-high racks in forward berthing and “strapping in” during heavy seas to avoid being tossed out of the bunk. Cohan is a proud “Mustang.” As an enlisted man, he was selected for Officer Candidate School (OCS) where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. Cohan enjoyed his 22 years of active duty which gave him some unique opportunities that very BREEZE
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few have enjoyed. He was one of four Operation Duty Officers assigned to USCG Group Key West during the largest peacetime operation in U.S. History, where the Coast Guard rescued over 63,000 migrants from rickety crafts in the Florida Straits during August through September 1994. He and his shipmates were bringing in thousands of migrants daily whom they then had to house on the Coast Guard Base in Key West until the Immigration and Naturalization Service could process them. Among the many, he helped rescue was one 10-year-old girl (along with her family of 29, crammed into a 20-foot homemade Cuban boat). She is now a counselor at the Miami Vet Center. When she hired in, she remembered Cohan bringing her and her brother into the Ship’s Office 20 years earlier… talk about a small world. During his active duty career, he also got to experience a three-week training cruise aboard the USCG Barque EAGLE, the only square-rigger sailing ship still in active military service. He did a 15-month tour on the Pacific atoll Minami-Tori-Shima, where he climbed the 1350’ tall LORAN tower and felt the tower sway in the breeze. He did a stint as a rescue swimmer and had the opportunity to dangle under a helo on a cable hundreds of feet up. He was also able to free-dive down 60’ to rescue a SCUBA diver in distress. Always on or in the water, Cohan later served as a rescue diver. While serving as the USCG Liaison to the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, he conducted underwater archaeological surveys, logging almost 150 SCUBA hours annually. While exploring the blue holes of the Bahamas with a park ranger, he found the decommissioned Coast Guard Cutter (Continued on page 10)
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MEMBER FOCUS
CAPE CURRENT. She had been transferred to the Bahamian Defense Force (BDF) a few years earlier and sunk on a reef in 54’ of water even though she was still listed as an active Patrol Boat for the BDF. He also got to dive off Hawaii, Baja California, Florida and the Bahamas. During his many travels while on active duty, Cohan was able to experience natural wonders up close and personal. He climbed Mount Fuji in the middle of the night to observe the amazing sunrise over Japan; visited the de-militarized Zone (DMZ) in Korea; went fly-fishing alongside grizzly bears in Alaska; rafted down the Chattooga River (locale for the movie Deliverance); participate in the rescue of dolphins, turtles and pilot whales; canoed Hell’s Bay in the Everglades and survived a crocodile attack; windsurfed with alligators (incentive to stay on the board); experienced swimming adventures with deadly sea snakes and sharks of all sizes; and swam down through two caverns to a depth of 55 feet on a single breath at Ginnie Springs, Florida; Ever the competitor, Cohan also distinguished
himself during his career by competing in racquetball tournaments, bicycle road races, marathons and triathlons. One of his proudest accomplishments was as a solo swimmer where he beat the three-person special forces relay team in the annual 12.5 miles swim around Key West. As a result, he was asked to work with the special forces Underwater Operations School in Key West. There, he demonstrated his ability to free dive to 85 feet and remain underwater over three minutes on a single breath. On one occasion, he found some unexploded ordnance near an anchorage in the harbor and worked with the Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal team to safely remove it. With the wealth of experience garnered over his extensive active duty career, Cohan was one of three Coast Guard Officers selected to teach Life Saving Skills at a Boy Scout National Jamboree attended by over 42,000 scouts from around the world. Still sharing the benefit of his experiences, Cohan now volunteers with the USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 65 South Miami, serving as a Coxswain, Instructor and Vessel Examiner. Semper Paratus! Ω
USCGC MOHAWK, U.S. Coast Guard photograph
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Hudson Flotilla 11-7, Division 11’s Northern Light
MEMBER FOCUS
Steven Summer
Top left: Flotilla 11-7 Hudson earned the prestigious Flotilla Meritorious Achievement Award in 2016 for activities in 2015. U.S.C.G. Auxiliary photo. Top right: “It gets cold in Florida!” From left are members Dudley Davis, Flotilla 11-9; Robert Priore, Steve Johnson and Mike Howland, Flotilla 11-7. Photo by Steven Summer
In
2014 Flotilla 11-7 Hudson U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary was staring at the possibility of being closed down or being absorbed by another flotilla. Membership was declining, staff positions were unfilled, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to find leadership. That year, 2014, discussions were entered regarding making Flotilla 11-7 Hudson a detachment of Flotilla 11-9 Tarpon Springs. As a result, Thomas Loughlin was asked by the Division 11 Bridge to serve a term as Flotilla Commander of Hudson. Tom took over and immediately began working to turn Hudson around. The actual designation as a detachment never occurred, but a close relationship developed between the two flotillas, which allowed Hudson to reorganize smoothly. The flotilla membership had dropped considerably, as had the delivery of boating safety classes, which are a primary source of revenue for the flotilla and fulfill the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Recreational Boating Safety mission. Other activities were also limited and the number of facilBREEZE
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ities (boats) that Hudson could activate dropped to three; motor vessel Harmony, belonging to Tom Loughlin, motor vessel Double Trouble, belonging to Joe Patton, and sailing vessel Esperanza belonging to Bill Kelly. Over the next two years, through the efforts of Tom Loughlin, Bob Priore, Flotilla Vice Commander, and the remaining core of dedicated members, recruitment and community outreach began to increase. New members brought new ideas and a renewed focus on involvement. They promoted Boating safety classes, and significant numbers of students received the training. From these classes, several new members joined the flotilla. During its reorganization and rebuilding period, under the leadership of a new bridge consisting of Mike Howland (Flotilla Commander) and Robert Priore (Flotilla Vice Commander) 11-7 Hudson has increased its membership to over 35, which is significant for a small flotilla in a rural area. Members have received awards (Continued on page 13)
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MEMBER FOCUS
(Continued from page 11) including Vessel Examination, Operations and Marine Safety. Individual members have qualified for Operational Excellence, Coxswain, Crew and Instructor and one hundred percent of Hudson’s members have completed all of the Auxiliary required mandatory training. In October, Hudson Flotilla earned the Commodore’s Three Star Award for Diversity and the year concluded with Flotilla 11-7 Hudson achieving the prestigious Flotilla Meritorious Achievement Award presented to them by Commodore Richard Washburn, National Commodore and Commodore Robert Weskerna, District 7 Commodore. According to the citation accompanying the award, “For
having provided the most significant improvement in contributions to Auxiliary programs by a 7th District Flotilla in 2015.” By meeting several operational, administrative and member criteria, Hudson was designated “Flotilla of the Year” for 2015. This award put Hudson ahead of the 105 other flotillas in District 7. Hudson is looking forward to continued progress. Five operational facilities (patrol vessels) serve the flotilla. Training is being expanded and revamped, and a renewed focus on public outreach is resulting in more Boating Safety class graduates. To put it simply, “Hudson leads the way.” Ω
About Flotilla 11-7 Hudson Thomas Loughlin, VFC, IPFC
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he Hudson U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla was chartered June 11, 1970 and was designated Flotilla 11-7. It was initially sited on the water in Hudson but through the years has moved finally to its current location on Denton Avenue, next to the Aripeka Elks Lodge.
During the next 46 years, the flotilla was consistent in its mission of bringing the boating safety message to the residents in the area. In those years the flotilla taught over 10,000 local members how to be safe on the water. These classes were taught at the flotilla classroom, at local homeowners association clubs, at businesses and wherever they were needed. The Hudson flotilla has received numerous plaques and certificates of commendation in testimony to their classroom efforts.
The latest award came at the annual Change of Watch when the District Commodore for District 7 (southeast United States, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) presented the flotilla with the most prestigious of all awards a flotilla could receive, the Flotilla Meritorious Achievement Award. They received this for being the No. 1 flotilla, out of 105 flotillas in District 7, in all six measured categories. It is believed that this is the first time any local flotilla received this great honor.
Flotilla 11-7 Hudson maintains a display at their local library advertising boating safety equiptment
The flotilla recently received the rarely awarded 3-Star National Commodores Diversity Award. BREEZE
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The flotilla was also, and remains, very active in supporting the Great American Teach-In and other child-oriented activities at local elementary schools and at community events. Here they interact with the future leaders of the Hudson community. Members are also very much a part of the community and are members of local groups such as churches, fishing clubs, Elks and (Continued on page 13)
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MEMBER FOCUS
(Continued from page 11) The ToyMakers. Hudson members also volunteer at the West Pasco Emergency Management Center. The members of the Hudson flotilla are also heavily involved in the conduct of free vessel examinations to ensure the boats in the lo- Members of Flotilla 11-7 routinely participate in Air Station Clearwater HC-130 Hercules cal area meet training drops. Flotilla 11-7 Hudson supports the local U.S. Coast Guard stations at Air Staall federal and tion-Clearwater as well as Station Sand Key with stand-by duty boats and crew. Members also support the local Coast Guard stations with radio watchstanders, cooks and gate state safety requirements. guards. Pictured is SENTINEL owned by Flotilla 11-7 member, Thomas Loughlin. U.S.C.G. Auxiliary photo by George Papabeis. One Hudson member recently received to assist the U.S. Coast Guard in searching for the top national honors for the number of vessel boaters who are missing or assisting others who exam she performed. In the past 46 years, the are in distress. Hudson flotilla has conducted over 80,000 vessel The members’ boats are specially equipped, at exams. their own expense, and are certified not only for Along these lines, the Hudson flotilla has partsearch and rescue but also for the more enjoynered with the Pasco Sheriff’s Marine Patrol able events such as holiday water parades, pubto provide another set of eyes and ears on the lic affairs events and training exercises. These water. boats join the thousands of other Auxiliarists boats around the country, along with very dediThe Hudson flotilla, as do other flotillas, supcated and trained Auxiliary crews, in contributing ports the local U.S. Coast Guard stations at Air their time and effort with the end product being Station-Clearwater as well as the boat station at the savings of not only lives but also millions of Station Sand Key with stand-by duty boats and dollars by the U.S. Coast Guard. Ω crew. Members have also supported the local Coast Guard stations with radio watchstanders, cooks and gate guards. A majority of the Hudson members are certified for on-water operations and several have taken advanced courses to become qualified in the more serious aspects of boating—search and rescue. These members are on-call 24 / 7 BREEZE
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U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary – A Family Affair Linda Jones, FC, FSO-PA
T
MEMBER FOCUS
he U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has members from all walks of life, all ages, both male and female. In some cases, multiple family members join the Auxiliary, making it a family affair. The Simon/Jordan family is just such a family. Almost 11 years ago, James Simon decided to join the USCG Auxiliary in Crystal River. He quickly became involved with the flotilla activities on the water and earned his Crew certification and later became a Coxswain. Also, he became
in a Chicago suburb prepared him for the numerous times he has had to direct his crew and tend to injured boaters while on patrol. For his dedication, professional communication with the Coast Guard, and accurate assessments of several boating incidents, he has been awarded the Auxiliary Commandant’s Letter of Commendation. Simon returned to the position of Flotilla Commander after a couple of years break. He served for two more years in that position.
CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla.— Jodi Simon, James Simon and Paul Jordan staff the Flotilla 15-1 recreational boating safety booth at the Manatee Festival Jan. 14, 2017. Photo by Linda Jones
certified as a Program Visitor, Vessel Safety Examiner, Radio Watchstander, Instructor, Member Trainer, and at the end of 2007 he was selected as Auxiliarist of the Year. In 2008 he was elected Flotilla Vice Commander, Flotilla 15-1. Two years later, he was elected Flotilla Commander. Mr. Simon is known for his quick thinking when it comes to Search and Rescues. His previous career as a Deputy Fire Chief and First Responder BREEZE
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Jodi Simon became a member of Flotilla 15-1 in 2011. Eager to learn and become involved, Mrs. Simon started training for Crew and quickly became certified. Shortly after obtaining her Crew certification, Simon took on the job of Flotilla Staff Officer-Publications. For the first time in many years, flotilla members began receiving a monthly newsletter, thanks to Mrs. Simon. One of the pictures she took for the newsletter won First Place for Best Picture in the District competition in 2015. Also, Simon became certified as a Recreational Boating Safety Program Visitor. Mrs. Simon participates in all events and is a model Auxiliarist for how to wear the Coast Guard uni-
form properly. Mrs. Simon received several Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendations and an Auxiliary Commandant’s Letter of Commendation and was named Auxiliarist of the Year in 2012. Paul Jordan, son of Jodi Simon, became a (Continued on page 15)
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(Continued from page 14) member in 2014. While training to become a Crew member, he attended and passed the Auxiliary Seamanship course which is an advanced course for crew and coxswains. The next year, Jordan earned certification as a Vessel Examiner. Mr. Jordan works a full-time job, yet finds time to attend events and take photos which are published in the local newspaper and the flotilla newsletter. In 2016 Jordan became the Flotilla Staff Officer for Vessel Examiners. He organizes Vessel Safety events and coordinates several members who are Vessel Examiners. In addition to his “jobs” in the Auxiliary, Paul Jordan makes time to participate in events and often goes above and beyond. When the flotilla radio electronics were in need of repair, Mr. JorCRYSTAL RIVER, Fla.--Paul Jordon receives the Auxiliarist of the dan used his knowledge of electronics Year award Dec. 2, 2016 from Vince Maida, Flotilla Vice Comto help get it back up and running. For mander and Linda Jones Flotilla Commander. Photo by Robert the Christmas parade, he built a frame- A. Fabich, Sr. work to hold the 7ft x 4ft. flotilla sign on top of his vehicle that trailered a flotilla The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers members vessel decorated with hundreds of lights. When many areas in which to become involved. The the “Life Jacket Zone” stencils at six local boat Simon/Jordan family found areas in which they ramps needed to be repainted, he volunteered enjoyed participating and could make a differto take on that task. ence while being able to spend time together as a family. Bravo Zulu to this U.S. Coast Guard For his dedication to the Auxiliary and enthusiAuxiliary family! Ω asm to go above and beyond the call of duty, in 2016 he was awarded the Auxiliarist of the Year.
Jodi Simpson earned First Place in the District 7 Photography contest in 2014 which was presented to the recipient at the Flotilla 15-1 Crystal River Change of Watch ceremony Dec. 4, 2015. Photo by Robert A. Fabich, Sr.
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William Griswold Appointed to National Safe Boating Council Mary Patton, DSO-PA 7
LAKE COUNTY, Fla.—William Griswold, better known as “Griz” presents water and boating safety to a group of children that includes instruction on how to fit and wear a life jacket. Griswold, appointed to the Coast Guard’s National Safe Boating Council board of directors represent the Auxiliary within this organization. Coast Guard Auxiliary photograph
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the foremost coalition to advance and promote a safer recreational boating experience through education, outreach and training.”
N
ational Commodore Rick Washburn announced the appointment of William Griswold, of Flotilla 43 Lake County, District 7, as the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s representative to the National Safe Boating Council’s board of directors. In making the appointment, Commodore Washburn said, “…Bill has a wealth of experience, and I know he will be a trusted and valued member to you. Bill is a hard and dedicated worker and is very familiar with NSBC and the Coast Guard Auxiliary.” Commodore Robert Shafer, Assistant National Commodore for Recreational Boating, stated, “…Bill has been involved in recreational boating safety for many years. This appointment will allow him another opportunity to continue making significant contributions to Recreational Boating Safety.” Ms. Rachel Johnson, Executive Director of the National Safe Boating Council, said of Mr. Griswold’s appointment, “I am thrilled to welcome Bill, and know that he’ll be a valued asset on the board of directors.” The National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) was founded in 1958. Their stated mission is “…to be BREEZE
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Griz, as he is better known, served 37 years in the military, first in the U.S. Army, then in the U.S. Coast Guard, from which he retired in 1993 with the rank of captain. After transferring to the Coast Guard, he served at various Air Stations, performing search and rescue missions in both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. He also deployed aboard Coast Guard ice breakers during two trips to Antarctica. He served in Alaska, sailing aboard cutters with aviation detachments, enforcing the laws of the 200-mile economic zone. His staff tours included military readiness, personnel and recreational boating. He served Director of Auxiliary (DIRAUX) tours in Alaska and New York and eventually was appointed as the Chief Director of Auxiliary (CHDIRAUX) at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Since his retirement in 1993, Griz has been active in Lake County Flotilla 43 in Florida, at the District and National Auxiliary staff levels, and has served as Chairman of the National Safe Boating Council from 2002 to 2004. Currently, Griz serves on the National Staff as a Branch Chief, Advocacy Partners (BC-BLA). Griz lives in Mount Dora, Florida. His children are grown and have given him 11 grandchildren. From time to time, he serves as a crew member on Auxiliary facilities patrolling the St. John’s river and the Harris Chain of Lakes, the predominant patrol areas of Flotilla 43. Ω
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Paddlers Wanted Don Goff, N-PC
P
addle sport participation has grown dramatically in recent years. Low entry cost, easy storage, less maintenance and flexibility are reasons many have decided to become paddlers, compared to power or sailing craft. In the past, would-be paddlers often went to specialty stores to get information and advice from retailers who were paddlers themselves. The majority of boats sold now come from general merchandisers and “big box” outlets whose staff may not be knowledgeable about the details of the sport. The Coast Guard Auxiliary Paddlecraft Safety program (AUXPAD) helps fill the knowledge gap for novice paddlers. If you are a paddler and would like to actively participate in AUXPAD, we would like to hear from you about your skills and training. You can make a major difference in helping to reduce fatalities and serious incidents among paddlers. If you are interested in the AUXPAD program, please contact Don Goff at don.goff@cgauxnet.us
Send a brief, one-page bio outlining your Auxiliary and paddling experience and particularly whether you hold any paddling certifications and from what body. If you have experience but no certifications, please don’t hesitate to step in. There may be opportunities ahead this year for you to become further qualified. Please contact me as soon as you can so that we can get going this boating season. You will receive further instructions following receipt of your email. Thanks and please Paddle Responsibly.
Republished from L2 Auxiliary Leadership Link The digest of US Coast Guard Auxiliary activity Photograph: U.S. Coast Gurad National Safe Boating Council
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What Is A “Skills Bank”? Mary Patton, DSO-PA
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You can’t open a checking account, nor can you apply for a mortgage. So what exactly is a Skills Bank? A skills bank is a web-based system that enables users to search for Auxiliary member knowledge, skills, abilities and qualifications, including expertise not otherwise captured in AUXDATA. The skills bank is designed for use in contingency planning, support and augmentation. What information does it hold? Searchable knowledge, skills, abilities and qualifications include: •
Bureau of Labor Statistics Codes
•
Advanced skills and abilities
•
Subject Matter Expertise
•
USCG and AUX qualifications from AUXDATA
Skills such as computer operator, office and Administrative Support Worker, nurse, physician, CPR Instructor, etc., could be useful to the active duty. The skills that you list on your Member Detail page of AUX Directory are an important tool for the Auxiliary and the Coast Guard to identify members whose skills are needed to backfill for active duty members who may need to attend training, take personal leave or deploy elsewhere.
number in the search box at the top right and clicking on “Search.” Their personal data page will then be displayed. At the bottom of the page is a selection box for “Correct the Above Information (7028 Web form).” Click on this box, and a Web form page will be displayed, allowing entry of corrections or changes to personal data. Make any needed corrections. At the bottom of the page on the left is a box for entering skills (“Add a Skill”). Click on this box, and a list of categories is displayed. Select any category that is appropriate to the skill(s) that should be added. Then a list of sub-categories will be displayed in the right-hand box. Select the one that should be added. If necessary, search again to find the best match for your skill set. No skills are recorded until “Add to List” is selected. Up to 10 skills may be added for any individual. Every member should take a few minutes to fill in the Skills Bank with their competencies and skills. It is an important tool for contingency planning and to help the Coast Guard fill critical needs. The Auxiliary is a multimission organization. It is served by a multitalented membership. Putting the right people in the right place at the right time with the right equipment is the goal for every mission.
Member Data Entry
For more information, a Skills Bank User’s Guide is available at:
Members access their data entry by logging into the Auxiliary Directory ( https://auxofficer.cgaux . org). Members enter their name or member
http://qdept.cgaux.org/docs/AuxiliarySkillsBankUserGuide.pdf
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National Safe Boating Week 2017:
What Will Your Division Focus on This Year?
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Diane Riggan, BC-ACN
O
ne week a year the U.S. Coast Guard and U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary ask their 25,000 plus all-volunteer membership around the globe to focus their time and efforts on recreational boating safety outreach. Dubbed “National Safe Boating Week,” (NSBW) it is an opportunity to promote to the boating public the many programs that are provided for them to help educate operators and their passengers and reduce fatalities on the water. NSBW for 2017 is May 20-26. Each year we read startling statistics provided by the National Safe Boating Council and the USCG on boaters who are injured or die while enjoying waterborne sports. Whether you fish, hunt or simply go for a ride on the water, a vessel can provide an excellent and safe platform for your sport. However, due to a variety of factors, your vessel can contribute to property loss, personal injury or even death. No one ever plans to have a bad day on the water, but you can plan on what to do to save yourself and passengers.
sy vessel safety check and operate their vessel in a responsible manner. Regardless of whether the vessel has a 10 horsepower engine, four 300 horsepower engines or one “human-powered engine” the risks to operators and their passengers are real –, and the operator’s responsibility for the safekeeping of their passengers and vessel is real as well. As cited in the National Recreational Boating Safety 2017-2022 Strategic Plan, violations of basic NAVRULES (the “rules of the road”) such as “excessive speed, improper lookout, inadequate onboard navigation lights and operator inattentiveness” are major factors contributing to boating accidents. While formulating their NSBW 2017 plans, every Auxiliarist is encouraged to read the National Recreational Boating Safety Program 20172022 Strategic Plan found at www.uscgboating. org as well as the USCG Auxiliary National Commodore’s Auxiliary Strategic Plan dated Nov. 1, 2016 found on the Auxiliary National website under Leadership. Ω
Those who operate a vessel (including human-propelled vessels) are encouraged to take a boating safety course, have an annual courte-
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Station Fort Lauderdale Holiday Party Barbara Dombrowski, FSO-PA 38
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embers of Division 3 Coast Guard Auxiliary hosted a holiday party for the active duty members of the Coast Guard assigned to Station Fort Lauderdale Dec. 16, 2016. They had a wonderful turnout of about 30 personnel and spouses plus 26 children ranging in age from newborn to 14. Members provided table service to the adults. The main menu featured prime rib and baked (Maine) lobster tails with all the fixings. The children had homemade macaroni and cheese with chicken fingers. After the extravaganza, they had enough desserts left over to last two weeks into the holiday season. Eight Auxilirists from Division 3 served the food and cleaned up while Marc Brody, a member of Flotilla 36 Boca Raton did a fantastic job of cooking. A “play room” was set aside for the children to play in that included coloring books, crayons and even a few candy canes. The Coast Guard members conducted an ‘ugly sweater’ contest that turned out to be quite funny. Both chiefs wore the same sweater and won first place in a tie. One of the guardians found a new talent- ironing tablecloths. Lt. Mark Ketchum, the commanding officer, will be leaving us this year and will be missed. Ketchum said that in his 18 years in the Coast Guard, this was the best holiday party ever and doubts if any other station had one as good! Ω
(Note: Faces of chidren deliberately obscured.)
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Division 7 Members Support the 2017 Tampa Bay Frogman Swim.
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Henry Norris, FSO-PB 72 On Jan. 15, 2017, over 150 brave men and women leaped into the early morning waters of Tampa Bay to swim 5 kilometers (3.1 mi) from a start point just south of the twin radio towers on the western end of Gandy Bridge to Picnic Island. The Frogman Swim is an annual event hosted by the Navy Seal Foundation. The event, a challenge for even seasoned open water swimmers, has been held since 2010 when nearly 40 hardy souls braved 50-degree water and raised several thousand dollars in individual pledges for an injured Navy SEAL officer and his family. Every year, Division 7 Coast Guard Auxiliary provides vessels to assist in maintaining a safety zone protecting the swimmers from recreational boaters who may be unaware of their presence in the water. This year, the Auxiliary made an excellent showing, deploying three facilities, including LADY E from Flotilla 72 St. Petersburg, Flotilla 75 Ruskin facility LIQUID ASSETS and CHASIN TAIL from Flotilla 79 Tampa. Radio coverage was handled by Tampa Radio One. This year’s Frogman Swim winners were Stacie McHale, who finished first among female competitors with a time of 1:14:42 and Sean DooBREEZE
little who finished first for the men with a time of 1:03:51. Funds raised by this year’s Frogman Swim met the target of $700,000 and will go to support the Navy Seal Foundation. For more information about this excellent charity point your browser to http://www.tampabayfrogman.com/.Ω
TAMPA BAY, Fla.—Division 7 Coast Guard Auxiliary provides vessels to assist in maintaining a safety zone during the annual Frogman Swim hosted by the Navy Seal Foundation. This year, Jan. 15, 2017, the Auxiliary deployed three facilities. The forward facility is LIQUID ASSETS from Flotilla 75 Ruskin with Patricia Stone as coxswain and crew members Stephen Browning and George Wightman, along with James Mulligan and Galen Johnson (Flotilla 74 Brandon). In the distance is LADY E from Flotilla 72 St. Petersburg, with Gene Keller, Division 7 Commander serving as coxswain with a crew that included Dave Perillo, George Hornby and two trainees, Kevin Yeaton (Flotilla 7-16 Gulfport) and Michael Broschetti. Not shown is CHASIN TAIL from Flotilla 79 Tampa with John Simone as coxswain, supported by his crew consisting of fellow flotilla members Alan Bendis and Rebecca Crum and George Papabeis, Flotilla 74 Brandon. Photograph by George Papabeis
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Storm Damage Gives Rise to a Win-Win Situation
Army National Guard Military Police and Auxiliary Flotilla Collaborate After Historic Flooding Linda Jones, Flotilla Commander 15-1
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CRYSTAL RIVER, Fla.—After historic flooding made Flotilla 15-1’s building unusable, a local Army National Guard Military police unit offered their building as a meeting place. In return, flotilla members conducted the About Boating Safely to 55 Army National Guard soldiers Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 11, and 12, 2017, and offered vessel safety checks to every boat owned by the soldiers and their families. Flotilla 15-4 Homosassa Instructors Patricia and George Dooris and Robert Currie assisted with teaching the two-day class. Photo by Linda Jones
T
he Army National Guard Military Police unit played a significant role in the normalization of the routines of Flotilla 15-1 Crystal River in both 2016 and 2017. Due to the historic flooding in the flotilla building, monthly meetings were not able to continue at that location. After Hurricane Hermine, member Ralph Altavilla scouted out an alternative location which turned out to be the National Guard Armory. Sgt. Rhett Roy welcomed the flotilla with open arms giving the Flotilla a clean, newly renovated building in which to continue to hold monthly meetings- no strings attached.
On Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 11, and 12, 2017, 55 Army National Guard soldiers participated in the safe boating class. Everything went very well, and they were very appreciative of the instructors’ efforts. Flotilla 15-4 Homosassa Instructors Patricia and George Dooris and Robert Currie assisted with teaching the two-day class. Ω
To return the favor, Linda Jones, Flotilla Commander and Flotilla Staff Officer-Public Education offered to do a free safe boating class and vessel safety checks for any of their members. A few months later, a date was confirmed for the flotilla’s instructors to conduct the About Boating Safely class for the soldiers who were going to be participating in an exercise in Virginia on the water.
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Flotilla 44 Daytona Beach Celebrates 75 Years Submitted by William and Zoraida Sorrentino
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F
lotilla 44 Daytona Beach was honored by the Volusia County Council and the City of Daytona Beach with proclamations celebrating the flotilla’s 75th anniversary as a continuously operating Coast Guard Auxiliary unit at the flotilla’s Change of Watch ceremony Dec.11, 2016. Volusia County Councilwoman Billie Wheeler, District 2, presented a proclamation to Flotilla 44 at their annual change of watch. Ms. Wheeler stated the County Council recognized the flotil- DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.--Coast Guard Auxiliary National Commodore la’s 75 years of assisting the Richard Washburn presents Zoraida Sorrentino, Flotilla Commander 44 with 75th Anniversary certificate and streamer at the flotilla’s Change of citizens of Florida and the U.S. with search and rescue Watch ceremony Dec. 11, 2016. Coast Guard Auxiliary photo and educating the public in boating safety. Ms. Wheeler Gary Barth. Also present representing the Coast also read the City of Daytona Beach proclamaGuard was Captain Jeffrey Dixon, Commanding tion, as no one from the city was able to attend. Officer Sector Jacksonville; Commander Mara Vicencio-Roldan, 7th District Director of Auxiliary; CWO 4 Charles Perry, Operations Training Officer, 7th District. Coast Guard Station Ponce de Leon Inlet provided the Honor Guard. Representing the United States Navy was Lieutenant Darrel Rewis, U.S. Navy Chaplain Corps, 4th Marines, Combat Logistics Regiment 45.
Zoraida Sorrentino, Flotilla Commander accepted the proclamation, stating: “On behalf of the flotilla, I am deeply honored to accept these proclamations.” She went on to thank the councilwoman for taking time out to attend the change of watch. Auxiliary leaders present at the change of watch were National Commodore Richard Washburn, who presented the flotilla with their 75th Anniversary streamer; then District 7 Commodore Robert Weskerna; then District 7 Commodore-elect Judith Hudson and then District Chief of Staff-elect BREEZE
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Flotilla 44 was established in December 1941 after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Residents of Daytona Beach, including many Security Shield of Honor veterans from World War One who Award presented to Flotilla 44, then called Flotilla 13, for were denied reenlistment for World their Temporary Reserve service during World War Two.
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(Continued from page 23) War Two, enrolled in the Coast Guard Auxiliary to assist with the war effort. Members of Flotilla 44, then called Flotilla 13 and under the command of Coast Guard Station Ponce de Leon Inlet, were activated as temporary members of the Coast Guard Reserve.
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Flotilla 44’s assignments during the war ranged from patrolling the beaches on foot, in vehicles and on horseback, to standing watches in submarine watchtowers along the coast. “Our smaller boats were assigned to the intra-coastal waterway and the larger boats did off shore patrols, including assignments in the shipping lanes. Their main job was to look for enemy submarines and assist in recovering those that had to abandon ship due to torpedo action,” Sorrentino, Flotilla Commander said. Sorrentino continued to say that one of the hardest assignments our flotilla had was beach patrol, where one of the responsibilities was picking up bodies and salvage from torpedoed ships. With 61 members in the flotilla, including three on active duty as helicopter pilots, two of which are DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.-- Coast Guard Station Ponce de Leon Inlet with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Honor Guard presents the colors at the Flotilla 44 Change of Watch flotilla is very active with safety Dec. 11, 2017. Below: Former flotilla commanders pose for a rare phopatrols, aids to navigation, marine to op. From right are Gary Ford (1996); Vivian McLellan (2001-02); dealer visits and public educaVictor Parisa (2003); Gretchen Bacon (2004-05); William Sorrentino tion.Ω Sr. (2006-07); Marlene Page (2008-09 & 2012); Bruce Perri (2013); Michael McNicholas (2014-15); Zoraida Sorrentino (2016-17). Coast Guard Auxiliary photographs.
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T
he men and women of the Coast Guard Auxiliary are stepping up their integration in day-to-day operations throughout Sector Charleston’s area of responsibility. From responding to search and rescue missions and educating the public to augmenting active duty members at units, the Auxiliary’s presence helps extend the Coast Guard’s reach throughout local communities. This initiative, known as “Think Auxiliary!”, is a response to a goal set by Capt. Gary Tomasulo, Coast Guard Sector Charleston’s commanding officer, to perfect and improve mission execution. “My goal was to have a greater inclusion of the Coast Guard Auxiliary in our mission execution,” said Tomasulo. “I did not think in the past we fully leveraged their capabilities.”
Beginning within the Sector Charleston command center, the Auxiliary now has a presence during daily command briefings. These briefings give Tomasulo essential information on Auxiliary operations, patrols or community projects throughout the region. Additionally, Sector Charleston command center watchstanders developed the “Book of Auxiliary”, a booklet which allows watchstanders to BREEZE
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strategically identify Auxiliary boats, aircraft and personnel throughout the area that could be launched to respond to emergencies. During a search and rescue case on April 15, 2016, two boaters were rescued from a burning vessel by an Auxiliary boatcrew. The Book of Auxiliary helped command center personnel identify which Auxiliary crew was closest to assist. In addition to assisting in operations, Auxiliarists provide direct support to units by acting as unit cooks or by monitoring radios at units, such as Coast Guard Station Brunswick, Georgia. “We have several Auxiliary members from the local Brunswick flotilla who provide immeasurable help to our crew and our operations,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Justin Irwin, the officer in charge of Station Brunswick. “One of the ways they support us is by standing communications watch in our radio room. This provides not only more watchstanders but it allots more time for the active duty members to work on various mission-critical certifications, such as boarding team member and boarding officer.” Irwin adds that several Auxiliary members are coxswains, which provides additional personnel (Continued on page 26)
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(Continued from page 25)
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to participate in training exercises such as twoboat training and helicopter operations. Auxiliarists have even assisted in search and rescue missions conducted by the station. “Overall, the Auxiliary plays a very crucial part of our daily routine at Station Brunswick,” said Irwin. “The relationship between the Auxiliary and active duty members is absolutely amazing. In addition to training together, they share great camaraderie with one another. Also, the experience, leadership and guidance the Auxiliary brings to the table is why we are so successful as an organization.”
It is within the various communities throughout the United States where Coast Guard Auxiliary members serve. Auxiliarists risk their lives responding to distress calls, they assist in environmental responses and they contribute to the Coast Guard’s boating safety initiative by educating the boating public. In Sector Charleston, Think Auxiliary! has been a concentrated effort by the command to better leverage the personnel, tools and experience of the Auxiliary more
Auxiliarists have also volunteered their culinary skills, providing breakfast meals to station personnel from time to time and even Thanksgiving and Christmas meals for them. Out on the water, Auxiliarists provide their own boats to be used in training for members of Coast Guard Air Station Savannah, Georgia, whose aircrews frequently train. This allows station personnel to focus more on operations.
Members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary conduct boat tow training Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016, with crewmembers from Coast Guard Station Brunswick, Georgia. Auxiliarists, who frequently assist active duty Coast Guardsmen in missions, train to sharpen their skills and enhance their coordination with their active duty counterparts. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Anthony L. Soto
“We’ve been able to reduce our station’s small boat hours so they can be used for law enforcement and search and rescue and the Coast Guard Auxiliary has taken part of that load for us,” Tomasulo said. “They’ve basically given us some operational flexibility and at the same time supported the proficiency of Air Station Savannah.” Along with their mission readiness and experience upon the seas, Auxiliarists bring with them valuable knowledge of the surrounding communities, since many are life-long residents of these areas, Tomasulo said. Think Auxiliary! This area knowledge is essential in both emergency responses as well as in the boating safety public education mission the Auxiliary conducts at community events. BREEZE
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than ever. Outwardly, this initiative represents an increase of equipment and manpower. Internally, it is an opportunity to build upon the already-existing partnership between two Coast Guard components. Overall, both the Coast Guard and Auxiliary’s primary focus and dedication of both these life-saving groups remains unchanged—service to people and to the nation. Ω This article originally appeared on D7.uscgnews. com. Republished with author’s consent. Current link to article: https://www.dvidshub.net/news/221852/ think-auxiliary-americas-volunteer-life-saving-service-stepping-up-its-operational-roles
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Use Social Media to Help Spread the Boating Safely Message
ARTICLES OF INTEREST
Auxiliary Social Media Auxiliary social media pages are a good source of information and ideas as well as a great way to spread the recreational boating safely message and recruit new members. But…yes, there is a caveat… to help spread the boating safely message you must do three things: 1. LIKE the page so that its posts appear in your newsfeed. 2. LIKE posts that appeal to you, and 3. SHARE these posts on your page so that your friends can see these messages.
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Seventh District on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/uscg.auxd7/
Everyone has their own newsfeed so your friends do not see the contents of yours unless you SHARE on your timeline. Spreading the word is not all that difficult. LIKE and SHARE!
United Staes Coast Guard Auxiliary Seventh District
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary on Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/uscgauxiliary/
While you are online, check out all of the new features on the District 7 Web page. Between the links on the sidebar and the ones within the table, it could not be any easier to find what you need! http://www.uscga-district-7.org/
U.S.C.G Auxiliary Recreational Boating Safety on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RecreationalBoatingSafety/ Please remember to LIKE and SHARE!
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Manipulated background image. Original photo by Rober Fabich, Sr.
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Stay tuned for more information about D7 DTRAIN 2017!
Coast Guard Auxiliary District 7 Annual Training Meeting (D-TRAIN) Sep. 13-17, 2017— Daytona Beach, Florida
How do we best encourage members to attend D-TRAIN 2017? One way is to publish an article about DTRAIN 2016. Truth be told, this wonderful article was inadvertantly omitted in our last issue but it serves well as an introduction and advertisment for this year’s training meeting.
D-TRAIN Diary 2016 Mary Patton, DSO-PA 7
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he 7th District Training meeting, better known as D-TRAIN, was held Sept. 22-25, 2016 at the Florida Hotel and Convention Center in the Florida Mall, Orlando. It was jam-packed with training sessions and there were many opportunities for fellowship with both existing and new Auxiliarist friends and colleagues. Many aviation training topics were offered for members of Auxiliary Aviation program (AUXAIR), as well as C-Schools: AUX-17, Crew Resource Management; AUX-02, Auxiliary Leadership and Management School (AUXLAMS); and AUX-05A, Auxiliary Mid-Level Officer Course (AMLOC).
Members could attend the Telecommunications (TCO) course and qualify for the Operations ribbon for completing the course and passing the final test. Other training sessions included an Information Systems workshop, Quick Start BREEZE
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to AUX Newsletters for members interested in getting into publications, Getting to Know Your Dealers for members interested in Recreational Boating Safety Program Visits and much, more. At the District Board Business Meeting, elections were conducted for the District Bridge. Judith Hudson was elected District Commodore, and Gary Barth was elected District Chief of Staff, both for 2017-18. Patricia McMenamin was elected District Captain North and Frank Wondolkowski was elected District Captain West, both for one-year terms. R. Dewey Jackson was re-elected District Captain East. In addition to our own District Commodore, Bob Weskerna (currently IPDCO), we had the pleasure of having our National Commodore Richard Washburn in attendance for the conference. (Continued on page 29)
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(Continued from page 28) Commodores Washburn and Weskerna presented awards for District publications and photos at the business meeting. Robert Fabich, Sr., from Flotilla 15-1, was presented with the National Publications Contest first place award for “AUXAIR District 7.” Dorothy Riley received the District 7 Publications contest first place award for the Division 7 publication, “Intercom.” Mary Patton received the second place award for Division 15’s “Charlie Noble.” Connie Irvin won the Public Affairs Directorate’s photography contest award for her photo in the Team Coast Guard category, and Judi Bidwick won the photography award for her photo in the Member Services category Later that evening at the Commodore’s Banquet, Rear Admiral Scott A. Buschman, Commander, Coast Guard 7th District, gave the keynote address. He thanked Auxiliarists for their thousands of volunteer hours and for the assistance that the Auxiliary provides to the Coast Guard. There were many Gold Side representatives present at the banquet. After the Admiral’s address, the ceremony of incoming Auxiliary Bridge officers being “frocked,” or fitted with their new insignia of office, was conducted. More than deserving of special mention was the entertainment provided for Saturday evening’s Fun Night Banquet and Dance by The Orlando Big Band, a full orchestra playing the Big Band songs most of us remember and love. Truly, this annual event is the ideal opportunity for members to grow in the Auxiliary, network, and put a face to the names of the leaders in our district. Ω ORLANDO, Florida—Terry Barth “frocks” (fits with new insignia of office) Gary Barth, newly elected District Chief of Staff during the Commodore’s Banquet at the 7th District Training meeting Sept. 23, 2016. Photo by Mary Patton Below: 7th District Training is not all work and meetings. At “Fun Night” Sat. Sept. 24, “Sheriff” Paulette Parent, then District Captain-West, rode in on her trusty steed. Photo by Dottie Riley
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Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary
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ARTICLES OF INTEREST
From the Editor The “Breeze” Is the official newsletter for District 7 members. While we hope our Publications and Public Affairs Officers contribute regularly, any member of the district may submit articles and photographs. Got an idea for a column you’d like to write? Tell us about it. Columnists increase readership, so yes, we are interested! This is especially true for Recreational Boating Safety topics. Send all of your “Breeze” submissions to John Quinn or the Assistant District Staff Officer-Publications for your area of responsibility. He is one of the best wordsmiths in our district and will shape your words into clear sentences and paragraphs. Trust me! He fixes mine! While we are at it, the digital age is upon us. When you post activities to social media, tag me or share with me so that we can include some of your activities in our next issue. Just be sure your post includes who is pictured, the name and date of the event, where it took place, and who took the photographs. What is missing in this issue? Is your division represented in this issue of “Breeze?” We tried to set a precedent in the Fall/Winter 2016 issue but did not receive submissions from members to follow through in this issue for this issue. We need your submissions to best showcase the members of D7 and their many varied activities. Tell other divisions what your members are doing, and don’t forget-other districts see our periodical as well. Every article; every photograph in the “Breeze” goes out to the whole of the Auxiliary as well as many Coast Guard officers. The “Breeze” is your opportunity to crow! Dottie Riley, DSO-PB 7
BREEZE
Issue 1
Submission Guidelines Send articles in text documents, preferably Word®. Don’t worry about not being a great writer. We will shape your words into clear sentences. Just make sure you provide complete information: WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, HOW (this was done) or WHY (it is interesting or significant). Preferred maximum length: 750 words. Send high-resolution photographs with complete caption information. (Same info as above.) Be sure to include the photographer’s name. Never embed photos in an email or document. Always send as attachments. Please send us the unedited, uncropped images. Cropped photos limit the placement of photos on the page. Deadlines for each issue: March 15, June 15, Sept. 15, Nov. 15, 2017. While these are the deadlines, we encourage you to submit as soon as the event is past and you have written the article. It gives us time to get any additional information required and to edit when necessary. Articles and stories of interest are always welcome. Great photographs with complete captions can tell a story as effectively as an article. Besides acknowledging our members’ efforts, a newsletter can serve as a great recruiting tool. Be sure that your unit’s activities appear on these pages so that a prospective member will say, “I want to be a part of that!”
District 7 Virtual Library Help us preserve our history! Send newsletters, flotilla records, histories, etc. in digital format to the District 7 Virtual Library. http://d7virtuallibrary.com/
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Newsletter for District 7 USCG Auxiliary
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