Breeze Spring 2012 by Dorothy Riley

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary 7th District Breeze Volume LVIII

http://www.cgaux7.org/

Number 1

Spring 2012

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

Is the oﬃcial publica on of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary 7th District

District Commander RADM William D. Baumgartner, USCG

h p://www.cgaux7.org/ Volume LVIII

Director of Auxiliary District 7 CDR Jose’ Quinones Opera ons Training Oﬃcer CWO2 Ursula Walther

U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY District Commodore COMO Walter Jaskiewicz District Chief of Staﬀ John Tyson Immediate Past District Commodore COMO Donald L. Frasch District Captain North Robert Weskerna District Captain West Melvin Manning District Captain East Judith Hudson

Issue 1

District Staﬀ Oﬃcers Auxiliary Sector Coordinators ASC Sector Charleston Reginald B. Hollar ASC Sector St. Petersburg Donald C. Hoge ASC Sector Jacksonville David C. Cawton ASC Sector Key West R. Dewey Jackson ASC Sector San Juan Osvaldo M. Ca nchi ASC Sector Miami William V. Tejeiro

Division Commanders 2012

BREEZE is the official and educa onal tool of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 7th District and is intended as a publica on to keep the membership apprised of the ac vi es of the Auxiliary. All ar cles and photographs submi ed must be consistent with the policies of the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary and may not be returned. Electronic submissions are encouraged. Personal informa on 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. Comments are encouraged and may be sent to Dorothy Riley, Editor (District OfficerPublica ons) at: do eriley1@verizon.net. Ar cles in the BREEZE may be reprinted provided credit is given and a copy is sent to the above Editor and Publica ons Officer. Do not send changes of address to the BREEZE. You can obtain a change of member informa on report (7028) from your Materials Officer and submit it through channels.

Spring 2012

Division 1……...........…………………Angel Benero Division 2….….......…..……....... Loren R. Emery II Division 3….….........….……….. Samuel E. Duda Division 4………..........William J. Sorren no, Sr. Division 5……….…............…….... Gary P. Barth Division 6……...........……….……. Thomas R. Walker Division 7…..............…..…...….. J. Michael Shea Division 8……........................... Paule e Parent Division 9……….....…….....….. David C. Crockwell Division 10………….............…..Warren M. Wilson Division 11……..............………….. Jimmy R. Ryder Division 12…………............……….Vito W. Giardina Division 13…………….............. Jeﬀery A. Bronsing Division 14…….……...............……Henry T. Hayden Division 15……….............……………….. Craig Elliot Division 16……….......................…... Lee E. Elvins Division 17……..............……....…..... Cal D. Motes

Preven on Department Lyle E Le eer …….................................DSO-MS Frank R. Lann ….………...................…..…DSO-MT Ronald D. Foreman……………..............….DSO-PV David M. Wall....……..……...............……..DSO-PE William S. Griswold……..…..............…..…DSO-SL Chuck Kelemen ……....................…………DSO-VE Response Department David Cawton …………………....................DSO-NS Cecil Christopher..…………..….................DSO-AV Harry S. Reynolds…..…...…...............…..DSO-CM Dudley Davis .......……………...............…...DSO-OP Jerry Henderson.……............…..QE Coordinator Logis cs Department David Has ngs....…...……...............……...DSO-CS Susan Z. Has ngs……...……...…................DSO-IS Constance O. Irvin...…………...............….DSO-PA Dorothy J. Riley…. ……………................…DSO-PB Angela Pomaro .…..…...….............….…..DSO-HR Terry Barth ……………...…...............……..DSO-MA Richard J. Leys………...............…………....DSO-DV Other Lillian G. GaNun …….……………................DSO-SR James Roche .......…...….…..……..................DSSO Richard Petrucci...………................……..….DFSO Andrew Anderson………….............….…….DSO-LP Phillip Poole ...........………….............….……....D-LL James Mayer.......…………................…..…DSO-FN Richard Leys………..….………....................PPDCPA COMO Donald Frasch................Plan Coordinator Thomas Brickey .......…District Materials Center District Administra ve Assistant & Aide Carolyn R. Hooley ……...…..........................D-AD Elaine J. Cornell ……………………..................D-AA Barbara Jaskiewicz.....................................D-AA Gwendolyn Leys ..............………............Advocate

District 7 Directorate Chiefs Logis cs James Dennen, DDC-L Preven on David M. Fuller, DDC-P Response Donald A. Zinner, DDC-R

h p://d7materials.org/index.php The center is now open Monday & Thursday 1000-1600 You can reach the center by phone during these hours at:

(727) 535-2593

Volume LVIII

Issue 1

Spring 2012

The official publication of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary 7th District In this issue... 2

From the Bridge: Commodore Walter Jaskiewicz

3   4

From the Bridge: John Tyson, DCOS

Around District 7

District Captain North  Robert Weskerna, DCAPT-North

District Captain West  Melvin Manning, DCAPT-West

10   11

Coast Guard Cu er Eagle’s 75th Anniversary Cruise   Jerry Janaro

Patrol Puzzlements  Barbara Burchfield

Air Sta on Miami Makes History   Diane Riggan

Guardians for the Angels  Kevin Koehl

Tiger-6: Auxiliary Air Coastal Patrol Assists Downed Aircra in the Bahamas   Lourdes R. Oliveras

U.S. Navy to St. Croix Auxiliary  Doug Armstrong

Remembering Pearl Harbor   Dorothy Riley Photos by Brian Lichtenstein

District Directorate Chief-Logis cs  James Dennen, DDC-L R.I.P.: Is this the fate of Auxiliary Newsle ers?  Dorothy Riley

Keeping a Secret  Constance O. Irvin

Man Overboard! Photos by Brian Lichtenstein

Auxiliary Assists in Annual “Paddle Florida” Event  Patricia Gross

USCG Sta on Sand Key – Keys of Success Program Karen L. Miller

From the Bridge: COMO Donald Frasch, IPDCO

District Captain-East  Judith Hudson, DCAPT-East

District Directorate Chief-Response  Donald A. Zinner, DDC-R  District 7 Opera ons: Auxiliary Assists in 2012 Interna onal Associa on for Disabled Sailing World Championship Frank Wondolkowski and Larry Keller

District 7 Opera ons: Teamwork  Brian Lichtenstein

Riding Along with a Breeze  Judith Hudson

District Directorate Chief-Preven on  David M. Fuller, DDC-P  Think Green: Coast Guard’s 2011 Innova on Expo

Blackthorn Remembrance Ceremony Dorothy Riley

Flo lla 14-5 Proves that Eﬀec ve Innova ons Can be Simple!  Helen Russe e

U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

District 7

Breeze

From the Bridge Commodore Walter Jaskiewicz District Commodore D7 Uncommon Strength

Although it is only a few

weeks into the new year, it has been busy for all of us. N-Train in Saint Louis (Jan. 22-29, 2012) once again provided great training in many office positions. On the subject of training, I recently returned from St. Thomas, U.S Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico where John Tyson, District Chief of Staff, and Dan Stewart McIntyre, Assistant District Staff Officer-Member Training instructed a full day of Leadership Training to the recently elected leaders of Divisions One and Sixteen. Attendees included staff officers as well as other members who volunteered. Bringing this training directly to each of our divisions has proved to be extremely beneficial and has improved district support to our members, which in turn increases our credibility in executing our Coast Guard missions. Last year I had the honor of attending two seventyyear flotilla anniversaries. Two more are scheduled this year. The history of these flotillas is something of which we should all be extremely proud. I have a copy of the first Auxiliary manual that is titled, “Information and Advice for Coast Guard Auxiliarymen” (now PUERTO RICO—The District 7 Flo lla Leadership Road Show was offered in Puerto Rico Jan. 22, 2012. From le : Commodore Walter R. Jaskiewicz, District 7 Commodore; Angel M. Benero, Division 1 Commander; Gregorio Maysonet, Staff Officer-Naviga on Systems, Division 1; Luis Irizarry, Staff Officer-Opera ons, Division 1; Jose Rivera, Staff Officer-Communica ons Division 1; John D. Tyson – District 7 Chief of Staff; and Lourdes R. Oliveras, Assistant District Staff Officer-Public Affairs- South D7, also from Puerto Rico. U.S.C.G. Auxiliary photograph

Unwavering Service

members U.S. Coast Guard Reserve) that is nine pages long. We have indeed come a long way as we are now a separate entity and our current Auxiliary Manual is 700 pages long! One thing that has not changed through all of these years is the dedication and the spirit of our members who continue to meet and accept the many changes and day-to-day challenges. Our Coast Guard missions oﬀer increasing support opportunities such as the outstanding Auxiliary Chef Program, the Interpreter Corps, and Incident Command System Qualified Responders to name just a few. District 7 is a leader in thinking “out of the box” to conceive new support missions. The numerous talents and skills of our members are our greatest resource. Those talents and skills are now being entered into a database using our new Skill Set Software. This database will allow online access to information about member’s skills, trade, location, and availability in a timed response situation. As I enter my second year at the bridge, every day I’m amazed at the spirit of service our volunteers provide. No words can describe my appreciation for all that you do.Ω Semper Paratus,

COMO Walter R. Jaskiewicz, DCO 7

Volume LVIII

Issue 1

Spring 2012

From the Bridge John Tyson District Chief of Staﬀ Is Our District Making Progress? Progress? The answer to that question depends upon whom you ask. Most of us would like to believe that the Seventh District Auxiliary is making progress every day. After all, doesn’t the District Gold Side leadership tell us that we do an outstanding job of serving our two primary customers, the Coast Guard and the recreational boating public? But do we really eally know we are “making progress”? Commodore Jaskiewicz and d members of the District Executive Committee addressed essed that question early last year. After carefully reviewing eviewing Auxdata entries for missions during the previous revious several years, the Executive Committee concluded uded that our district is in danger of “standing still.” And as many of us know, organizations that “stand still” ll” are really falling behind. Commodore Jaskiewicz responded sponded quickly to that assessment, however, by forming orming an Organizational Performance Team (OPT) to consider ways to improve the district’s performance and nd to recommend specific actions for improvement. He also directed the use of thee “Are We Making Progress as Leaders?”(AWMPAL) survey rvey tool to get input from district and division leaders. rs. The AWMPAL survey is used by many organizations ons to measure workforce perception of criteria impacting acting the organization’s performance. Those criteria leadership, teria include leadership strategic planning, customer focus, measurement, analysis, knowledge management, workforce focus, operations focus, and results achieved. The Coast Guard uses the AWMPAL survey to ensure its resources are aligned correctly; to improve communication, productivity and eﬀectiveness; to achieve strategic goals and to determine the winning units for the Alexander Hamilton Award. Like the Seventh District Auxiliary Commodore’s Cup, the Hamilton Award recognizes the best performing Coast Guard units. The tabulation of data from the district’s AWMPAL survey confirmed the Executive Committee’s earlier assessment that District Seven was in danger of “standing still.” It also highlighted areas that require urgent attention, including training unit leaders in action planning skills, and greater use of measurement

and analysis to help units evaluate progress against goals. To emphasize the importance of leadership practices in improving the district’s performance, Commodore Jaskiewicz is presently leading a series unit leaders develop skills in of workshops to help un team building, and strategic and action planning, plan measurement. Workshops for officers in performance measuremen Divisions 1, 7, 11, 15 and 17 were held in early February, and six more workshops aare scheduled for the coming workshops focus on the needs weeks. Although these w of flotilla and division officers, they are, when space members who aspire to hold permits, open to any me an elected or staff office iin the future. Any member who feels they can benefit from learning these skills Flotilla Commander or Division should contact their Floti Commander for the date and location of the nearest workshop. Although data from ffuture AWMPAL surveys, data” provided to units in along with “dashboard d measurement charts will certainly help flotillas and ectiveness, the Seventh District divisions to achieve effect Auxiliary has a long way to go to achieve a sustainable, high level of leadership practices. Like the active duty Coast Guard, our district’s objective is to ensure our sustained dedication to performance excellence in all our mission activities. So stay tuned; you will hear lots more about these matters in the months and years ahead. At the least, you will hear more about them until we can say without hesitation, “Our district is really making progress.” Semper Paratus Ω

From the Bridge

U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

District 7

Breeze

Commodore Donald Frasch Immediate Past District Commodore Deputy Na onal Commodore–Recrea onal Boa ng Safety

I’d like to spend a few minutes updating you on some of the significant accomplishments that came out of N-Train this year. Although St. Louis in January isn’t exactly what I’d consider a prime venue for any event, it was sunny and 40 degrees on Monday morning. That inspired my fellow Deputy National Commodore from the Pacific area, COMO Marie Scholle, to take advantage of the perceived “heat wave” by sitting outside, soaking up the warm noon sun in a short sleeve top and light slacks. Of course, COMO Scholle is from Fairbanks, Alaska, where it was -35 degrees when she left for St. Louis. The teasing was endless! Regardless of the weather, the Recreational Boating Safety Board can look back on a couple of significant accomplishments. First, the National Board voted to approve a new Program Visitor Ribbon (PV) for our members who participate in that program. The present ribbon for a PV member consists of a Vessel Examiner (VE) ribbon with a gold star attached. The original belief was that one must first be a VE to become qualified as a PV, which is simply not the case. In fact, a PV must understand all of our Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) programs and activities to effectively guide Marine Dealers in delivering the right boating safety messages to the boating public. Creating a new “identity” for the PV program should encourage more members to participate in this critical part of our overall RBS effort. How about you? Secondly, the Board voted to separate State Liaison and Legislative Liaison officers into two distinct groups. The Legislative Liaison people will focus completely on what is happening in State Legislatures related to boating safety and will pass that information both up through their Parallel Staffing Chain and directly to the District Commodores and State Liaison officers. The Parallel Staffing chain will now work through the Department of the Chief Counsel and his team. Selection for the legislative position will be made by the Chief Counsel, the District Commodore and the

Director of Auxiliary. A strong legal background, with the ability to understand fully the legislative process and language will be a requirement for the position. This action should insure that the Auxiliary knows the direction of boating safety legislation being considered by all states and that this information gets to the appropriate Active Duty leadership. State Liaison Officers (SLO) will now focus on the Boating Law Administrators (BLA) of each state. When anyone asks me what is the expectation for the State Liaison Officer position, I respond that the SLOs best friend should be their state’s BLA. The BLA is the one responsible for implementing a state’s boating safety laws and programs. These administrators are clearly vital to the success of our RBS activities. We can not afford to have anything other than a dedicated and focused partnership effort with the BLAs if we intend to save lives. An additional benefit of this new direction is to improve our partnerships with each Coast Guard District’s “Boating Safety Specialists” (BSS). Each CG District has only one BSS, who is also responsible for working with the District’s BLAs. We can help these BSSs in their efforts. As a case in point, District Eight includes twenty five (25) states in its Area of Responsibility (AOR) — an area in the center of the county that extends from the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border. Although vacant for several months, the BSS position was just filled this week, and our SLOs will significantly help the new BSS as he develops his working relationships with the BLAs. In this case, we can “bring the Coast Guard” to the BLAs. By developing effective relationships with the Coast Guard and the states and working together as a team, we should be able to have the best possible Recreational Boating Safety activities. From even this one example, I hope you can see the importance of what we are doing and the advantage of even seemingly minor changes. We absolutely must look for every way possible to achieve Mission Excellence in our primary mission – better Recreational Boating Safety. Would you like to help?? Semper Paratus Ω

Volume LVIII

Issue 1

Spring 2012

Around District 7 FORT MYERS, Fla.─89 year old Dorothy Kurtz, one of the first women enlisted in the Coast Guard SPARs during WWII, swaps stories with 97 year old Marty Rowe, a Coast Guard Temporary Reservist, who served on bulk carrier ships in the Great Lakes during the same war. Kurtz and Rowe are among the early interviewees for a project, Oral History Interviews, being conducted by the Coast Guard Auxiliary Na onal History Department under the leadership of Dr. Richard Stephenson. Their videotaped stories will become part of the vast history of Coast Guardsmen who served their country during the past 70 years. Photograph: Constance O. Irvin, District Staff Officer-Public Affairs, D7

TAMP PA, Fla laa.— The Bonny Sea iss ed off att th t e dock in fron nt of Secttor St. Pe P terssb bu urg’s Pre eve v n on Depaartmentt in Tamp pa on Jan an n. 28 8 du uring the Gaspar a illa Piirrate Invaasio on. On n the Bo onny Sea are Raymond Paysour, cox oxsw wain, Harrrryy Kam a beris an a d Dick Petruccci, trainees; s; an nd cre ew wm mem e be b rs Williiam a Becke e and Braxton Ezzell, l, all frrom Fl Flo o lla 81, and nd d Tom Jo To ohnson and and Fred Kerm mode e from Fl Flo lla 85. Next to o the Bon nnie Sea nnie e is Miiss s Marla fro om Fl F o lla laa 72, the e Auxiliaryy Patr tro ol Co ommaand ves essse el fo or th the evvent with coxsw wain Ri Rick ck Short and nd cre ewm wmem embe mbe b rs Naathan niel Hall fro om Flo lla 72, and d Cliff liliffor ord Ma Mar n an nd Tim m Teahan fro rom m Flo llaa 79. 9 A Coa oast ast st Gua uard rd d Re esp s onsse Boat is ed off o be besi esi sid de e them. hem. he m Pho hotto o by Fred Kermode. Bac ackg kggro kgro ou un nd imagge byy Ge eo orge rge Pap pabeiss, Flo lla 74 4

U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

District 7

Breeze

District Captain North Robert Weskerna, DCAPT-North LOOKING BACK By this time, we’ve all finished our Change of Watch season. As we look forward to new initiatives and the excitement that comes with the calendar rolling over, let me take a moment to congratulate all divisions on their successes in 2011. In particular, the northern Divisions, 2, 4, 10, 12, 14, and 17, enjoyed a terrific and district-leading 2011, with an overall performance increase of 9 percent over their 2010 record. Of the six Sectors in D7, that’s Sectors Charleston, Jacksonville, Key West, Miami, St. Petersburg, and San Juan, the three divisions that serve Sector Charleston had the greatest increase in service hours over 2010. Congratulations to the members of Divisions 2, 10, and 12 for this effort. Of course, Thoreau said that “It’s not enough to be busy. The question is, what are we busy about?” Considering what the records show, each of you should feel proud of your contribution to District 7 in 2011. The numbers were very close. Just a little photo recognition before I take a look ahead. On December 17, 2011, Division 14 held their Change of Watch dinner.

LOOKING AHEAD About six years ago, Philip Merrill, who then served as Prevention Chief, arranged a workshop for a number of us at a District Conference. The Coast Guard sent an instructor to teach us the Franklin Covey Seven Habits for Managers; concepts like “Begin with the End in Mind,” and so forth. This pencil isn’t as sharp as it used to be, but I recall three catchy quotations for managers (from about a thousand) that came out of that experience. These three actually mean more to me now that I’ve been in this job and several others since that workshop. Here is what I recall: 1. Trivial matters take up more time because we know more about them than important matters. How true this is! 2. If you are good, you will be assigned all the work. If you are really good, then you will get out of it. I’m thinking of the definition of leadership…influencing others to accomplish goals. 3. You get what you measure for. ‘Turns out number three is the biggie, and starting this spring, you’ll have cause to give some thought to this concept. By the time you read this, many of you will have experienced either Flotilla Leadership Training version 2012 or have had a presentation by your local District Captain (north, west, or east) on the Malcolm Baldrige analysis and measurement of organizational Continued on page 7

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—The Division 14 Change of Watch. From le : CDR Stephen Love, Commanding Oﬃcer, Mari me Force Protec on Unit Sector Jacksonville; John Tyson, District 7 Chief of Staﬀ; COMO Walter Jaskiewicz, District 7 Commodore; Tom Hayden, Division Commander 14; and CDR Jose‘ Quinones, Director of Auxiliary D7. Photo by Kirk Altman.

Volume LVIII

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Spring 2012

performance. Not to worry, the concept is simple: Strive for continuous improvement and innovation. I won’t give away too much here, but Frank Lann, District Staff OfficerMember Training, and his very able assistant, Dan McIntyre, Assistant District Staff OfficerMember Training, both experts on the Malcolm Baldrige (MB) Criteria for Performance Excellence, have put together a show that you should find useful in your world. According to CDR John Kennedy, United States Coast Guard, an elite user of this MB criteria and a winner of the Hamilton Award for Excellence: “It’s not about who has the best trend or performance, but about applying Best Practices over a period.” You guessed it; the concept is that applying the MB criteria will assist us in stepping up our game. Utilizing the MB techniques in 2012, we anticipate that you will think about what you’ve previously accomplished in certain important areas and attempt to focus on your weak areas, continuously improving. As Admiral Papp might say, “We’re not asking you to do what you cannot, just to do what you can do, only better.” Best of luck with your new adventures in 2012. I’ll be interested in hearing your thoughts on all of this as the year progresses. Ω

Top: CHARLESTON, S.C.--Vito Giardina, Division Commander 12 and CAPT Michael White, Commander, Sector Charleston present COMO Jay Dahlgren the Auxiliary Commenda on Medal at the Division 12 Change of Watch Ceremony on Jan. 7, 2012. Photo by Robert Weskerna Bo om: Loren Emery, Division 2 Commander, takes pointers from Dave Fuller, Immediate Past Division Commander at the Change of Watch Ceremony on Feb. 8, 2012. Robert Weskerna, District Captain-North noted that this was one of the best Change of Watch Ceremony that he ever a ended, and described the members as “most cordial”. Photo by Robert Weskerna

U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

District 7

Breeze

District Captain West Melving Manning, DCAPT-West Team West commenced 2012 with three new division commanders: Mike Shea, Division 7 Commander; Paulette Parent, Division 8 Commander; and Dave Crockwell, Division 9 Commander. They, along with Craig Elliot, Division 15 Commander, and Jim Ryder, Division 11 Commander, make up the outstanding elected bridge of the Gulf Coast of Florida. The District Captain and the Division Commanders, with their Division Vice Commanders, the Auxiliary Sector Coordinator and the Auxiliary Liaison Oﬃcers attended the first 2012 District Captain/Division Commander meeting at Sector St. Petersburg in early January. The Commander of Sector St. Petersburg, CAPT Sheryl Dickinson, joined the meeting to give her perspective on both Sector programs and Auxiliary participation. Several focus topics were discussed, including the west region’s

and divisions’ main goals for the year and Auxiliary preparation for the Republican National Convention, as well as issues common to all the divisions. The initial presentation of the Commandant’s Performance Excellence Criteria, also known as the Baldrige Award and Hamilton Award, was reviewed at the meeting and will be presented at all divisions early in the year. This program is designed to provide a systematic way to improve management practices at all unit levels. The last weekend of January provided beautiful weather for several events in the West that, in essence, define our Auxiliary. First the Propeller Club of the Port of Tampa sponsored a Salute to the Coast Guard. Several Auxiliarists, representing three divisions, attended the presentation of awards ceremony, which included an inspiring keynote speech by Vice Admiral Robert Parker, Commander Atlantic East/Commander, Defense Force East. Shortly thereafter, on January 27, Admiral Robert Papp, Commandant, United States Coast Guard, formally designated Clearwater, Florida, as a Coast Guard Continued on page 9

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—The elected leaders of the divisions under Sector St. Petersburg and other oﬃcers a end the final planning mee ng of the year on November 11 at Sector. First row: Joe Blevins, Division 11 Vice Commander; Paule e Parent, Division 8 Vice Commander, Division 8 Commander (e); Captain Sheryl L. Dickinson, United States Coast Guard, Commander, Sector Saint Petersburg; Lou Con , Division 9 Commander; Mike Shea, Division Vice Commander, Division 7 Commander(e); LT Cris ano DeDousa, USCG, Chaplain, Sector St. Petersburg. Second row: Dave Crockwell, Division Vice Commander, Division 9 Commander (e); Braxton Ezell, Division 8 Commander; Jim Ryder, Division 11 Commander; Mel Manning, District Captain -West, Paul Pelle er, Division 15 Vice Commander; LT Gino Scior no, United States Coast Guard , Auxiliary Liaison (AUXLO), Sector St. Petersburg. Third row: Craig Elliot, Division 15 Commander; Amos Johnson, Division 7Commander; Don Hoge, Auxiliary Sector Coordinator Sector St. Petersburg; LTJG Benjamin Weber, United States Coast Guard, AUXLO, Sector St. Petersburg. US Coast Guard photograph.

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Spring 2012

Continued from page 8

City at a ceremony held in downtown Clearwater. Clearwater is one of only twelve Coast Guard Cities nationwide, and the only one in Florida. It’s also the first city so designated by Admiral Papp since he was appointed Commandant. Hundreds attended the event at an outside pavilion, including civilians, veterans, and Coast Guard, including Auxiliarists. Along with Admiral Papp, Mayor Frank Hibbard and numerous federal, state and local oﬃcials, as well as Coast Guard dignitaries, participated in the event. The Coast Guard City designation is authorized by Congress to recognize the outstanding support a community provides to Coast Guard personnel and their families. The Coast Guard Band Brass Quintet, the Coast Guard Honor Guard and the Coast Guard Silent Drill team made the event exceptional. January 28 witnessed the Gasparilla invasion of the city of Tampa. Several Auxiliary facilities, with crews from Divisions 7, 8 and 11, supported the Coast Guard units that escorted the Jose´ Gaspar pirate ship across Hillsborough Bay and up Seddon Channel to downtown Tampa. Hundreds of boats and thousands of people also participated in the annual event. On land, after the “invasion,” a multi-float parade

provided “booty” of beads to throngs of revelers along the parade route. Division 7 was the primary Auxiliary support unit. On a more somber note, also on January 28, the 32nd Annual Service of Remembrance of the loss of 23 Coast Guardsmen’s lives in Tampa Bay on January 28, 1980, took place. The sinking of the United States Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn and attendant loss of life was the greatest peacetime casualty in Coast Guard history. Several Auxiliarists from throughout the west coast of Florida attended the Memorial Service, along with members of the Coast Guard, family members, and guests, at the Blackthorn Memorial Park at the north end of the Skyway Bridge. Vice Admiral Robert Parker delivered the memorial address during the service, which included a fly over by a C-130 and two MH-60s, a three-gun salute by the Coast Guard Honor Guard, and music by the Coast Guard Band Brass Quintet. Looking ahead, the west region is expecting an exceptionally busy and challenging year. Among our primary challenges will be the Republican National Convention, taking place in Tampa in August, which will require extensive Auxiliary support. Ω

Melvin Manning, District Captain-West stands in front of the Blackthorn Memorial on January 28 with Vice Admiral Robert C. Parker, Commander, Atlan c Area / Commander, Defense Force East. Photo by Auxiliary member, Deborah A. Mallory, Public Aﬀairs Oﬃcer, Air Sta on Clearwater

U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

District 7

Breeze

District Captain-East Judith Hudson, DCAPT-East With the beginning of each new year, there is always renewed energy and enthusiasm, fresh ideas, and an increased desire to accomplish and achieve our missions. It is a great time of the year, and I am pleased to say that District 7 East is active with very worthwhile events and activities. In addition, all Changes of Watch have been completed, goals have been drafted and oﬃcers are participating in the District Leadership Training. As I visit the diﬀerent divisions within the East, I am learning that there is a lot of variety in what we are accomplishing. There is much more fresh thinking about how we conduct our business and perform our missions, a lot less “We have always done it this way”, and much more willingness to share events and information among flotillas and divisions. Change and progress have become the norm. All divisions have been oriented to Organizational Performance a i atio al Pe fo a ce with ith the District 7 Performance Measures initiative. Well, we already have a success story. When Division 3 used performance measures during 2011 and received weekly reports from their Commander, they exceeded their goals plus an additional 10% achievement! That is certainly positive proof that performance measures work. I think we will be amazed at the improvement in our collective performance at the end of 2012 now that we are focused, know where we are going, how we are going to get there, and can see our progress as we go.

Angel Benero, Commander Division 1 Puerto Rico provides a safety zone for a Coast Guard search and rescue demonstra on at the 2012 Expo-Nau ca Boat Show at the Ponce Yacht and Fishing Club in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photos by Jose F. Toro, member of the Division 1 Public Aﬀairs team.

In most divisions, not only are members availing themselves of the Leadership Training conducted by our district leaders, but they are adding additional training that divisions themselves have identified as areas where we can improve. Division 5 held a daylong training session in December to prepare all 2012 elected leaders for the year ahead. Division 3 has several diﬀerent modules of training at every division meeting for attendees to choose the ones most relevant

to their responsibilities. Division 13 holds training sessions before or after their division meetings, with some conducted by the active duty Coast Guard. All are eﬀective in keeping current with changes and increasing our knowledge base. We just finished the boat parade season with Auxiliary facilities providing directions and security for these events. St. Croix provided support for an Around the Island sailboat regatta which lasted two days. Now we are into the season for boat shows. Division 5 Continued on page 11

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Continued from page 10

participated in the three-day Stuart Boat Show with a static display. Division 6 is preparing to teach abbreviated About Boating Safely and Suddenly in Command programs at the Miami International Boat Show, in addition to staﬃng a booth for five days. The marine environment is also getting more attention these days. In the Keys, Auxiliarists have adopted a section of the main highway to ensure that trash is picked up four times a year. There is a major

Spring 2012

thrust underway to train more Assistant Pollution Investigators, and a creative program to retrieve a part of lobster trap known as the “funnel” from the ocean floor (thus reducing the debris) and recycling them has been initiated. Puerto Rico flotilla members support the Harbor Safety Committee, along with the active duty Coast Guard. This committee is dedicated to the safety, security, mobility, and environmental protection of the community. Ω

U.S. Navy to St. Croix Auxiliary By Doug Armstrong, Flo lla Vice Commander, 16-1 Chris ansted, U.S. Virgin Islands

ST. CROIX, U.S. Virgin Islands— Three years ago, Doug Armstrong, a member of Flotilla 16-1 Christiansted, U.S. Virgin Islands, met Commander Daniel Kalal, Commander Station Roosevelt Roads (U.S. Naval Station in Ceiba, Puerto Rico, the cornerstone of the U.S. Navy’s operations in the Caribbean and the logistical base for fleet training exercises on the island of Vieques). Over dinner, Armstrong talked up the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary. CDR Kalal mentioned that as the base was being decommissioned, they had assets the Auxiliary might be interested in, such as a patrol boat. Armstrong went to Lee Elvins, Division Commander 16, and asked him to lead the project from the division side once they got close A conversa conv co nver ersa sa on tthree hree yyears hree ears ea rs aago go b between etwe et tween en D Doug ougg Arms ou A Armstrong, rmsttron trongg FFlo lo llllaa Vi lo Vice ce C Commander omma om mand nder der to the delivery date. Armstrong 16-1 in the U.S. Virgin Islands and CDR Daniel Kalal, Commander, Sta on Roosevelt kept the deal alive by frequently Roads, U.S. Navy, resulted in the transfer of this 27-foot Boston Whaler from the reminding CDR Kalal of his oﬀer, Navy to Division 16 Coast Auxiliary via the Coast Guard. Photo provided by Lee Elvins, scheduling the delivery, assisting Division 16 Commander with keeping the process moving forward at the highest levels, and most importantly, by having Lee as a representative to It’s actually a great story about how pride and a make the ‘behind-the-scenes’ works happen for both professional attitude of representing the Coast the Navy and the Coast Guard. Guard Team can lead to opportunities that were Finally, CDR Kalal and his crew arrived in St. Croix to make the delivery. They were met by Lee Elvins and his greeting party, and CDR Kalal stayed at Armstrong’s home for the weekend. Once the boat reached St. Croix, Elvins was responsible for the paper work, letters of thanks, and the many hours working with Sector Borinquen to make this transfer happen from the Coast Guard to the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

previously unknown – in this case the U.S. Navy oﬀering to help. By finding the right resources in the Auxiliary to guide the process, what started as a conversation turned into an $80,000 asset transfer, a great public relations moment, and recognition for those involved.Ω

U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

District 7

Breeze

District Directorate Chief-Logis cs James Dennen, DDC-L R.I.P.: Is this the fate of Auxiliary Newsle ers? By Dorothy Riley, District Staﬀ Oﬃcer-Publica ons, guest author

“Newsletters are outdated and a thing of the past.” “Newsletters are obsolete.” “The future of news is webpages and blogs.” “We should do away with newsletters altogether.” Most of us have heard statements like these. Are newsletters obsolete? While the Auxiliary has moved from printed to electronically distributed newsletters in PDF (portable document format) form, others do not think that this brings newsletters far enough into the age of digital media. The PDFs resemble the printed newsletters in layout and content.

district, divisions, or flotillas. News can be found online in many forums, including posting articles in news sections within the Auxiliary’s WOW II pages, posting news on Facebook and other blog sites; creating a free Wiki page — the possibilities are endless. The most recent focus in the Auxiliary is to encourage the use of Facebook and Twitter. The appeal in this is the immediacy of relaying information. There are drawbacks to this, particularly as a method of delivering news and information to our members. You must first “Friend” or “Like” a Facebook page in order to receive its content. The same is true of Twitter; a member must “Follow” in order to receive alerts. Other drawbacks:

Within the Auxiliary, the Public Aﬀairs. or ‘A’ Department, has forayed furthest into the world of digital media with ‘publications’ (used loosely here) such as “SITREP”, “Navigator Express” and “Coast Guard Auxiliary Live: Oﬃcial Blog of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary”. Additionally, the A Department has created both Twitter and Facebook accounts. Thousands of Auxiliary members are on Facebook and many individual Auxiliary units have Facebook pages. Many also have Twitter accounts. Do these digital media sites do a better job of delivering news and information to Auxiliary members? The last ‘tweet’ on Twitter on Jan. 27 (when this article was written) linked members to the lead story on “Auxiliary Live”, “Cold Water Survival – The 1-10-1 Rule”, a great article about how to survive accidental immersion in icy cold waters. The previous ‘tweet” linked to an article on the District 1SR (New York) Facebook page, “Coast Guard Auxiliary Chefs Prepare the Banquet”. While both are newsworthy articles, they are not local and have little to do with the members within our

• Once you “Friend” your flotilla or division, the updates posted compete with the stream of updates posted by other real and virtual “Friends”. News items can easily get buried beneath your sister shrieking because she received a bad haircut, Facebook game requests, comments on last night’s ball game, and news from other parts of the country that, again, lack local relevance. •

Auxiliary Facebook pages and Twitter accounts are not presently monitored for content. Members can post inappropriate or inaccurate content.

•

John Q. Public is unlikely to learn about the Auxiliary or our Recreational Boating Safety programs on Facebook because comments are only linked to those who “Like” or “Friend” us.

•

Many members avoid Facebook links because they

Continued on page 13

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Issue 1

do not wish to inadvertently download games and applications built into many confirmations and requests. •

Many of our members do not have Facebook and Twitter accounts and don’t want one.

•

News and information is fragmented. One must follow links to various sites to read posts and articles.

Pages like Facebook and Twitter may be the wave of the future; but this is now, and who knows what the future holds? Remember “Myspace”? Once the leading social media/blog site, Myspace was the rage until Facebook completely supplanted it. We cannot begin to guess what will eventually replace Facebook, but given the dynamic history of the Internet, eventually something will. Currently, most members have computers, but, make no mistake, we still have a large number of members without computers or email addresses. Our members’ computer proficiencies range from beginner to expert, with most in the intermediate user range. These members can read and respond to emails, create and send simple documents, perform web searches and open PDF files. That is advantageous for Auxiliary newsletters, most of which are now published and distributed as PDF files. A few are released as Word files, but, both are delivered right into the members’ e-mailbox. There are other advantages to newsletters published and distributed in PDF format: •

PDF is the preferred format worldwide because of the ease with which it can be “ported” and read anywhere, on any platform.

•

The news published in unit newsletters is by and about the members of those units, and has local relevance. The names and faces are familiar. Staﬀ reports provide program updates, activity reports, and schedules of future events, all within a single document—no surfing the web to stay abreast of your unit’s activities!

•

Newsletters acknowledge the members’ eﬀorts and provide historical records.

Because newsletters are edited and laid out by volunteer members, most of whom have no writing, editing, graphic design, or publishing experience, the negatives are as real as the positives: •

Newsletters are often edited and published by members who use poor grammar and/or do not adhere to Auxiliary guidelines as outlined in the Publication Oﬃcer’s Guide and Auxiliary Manual.

•

Newsletters can be so poorly designed that they may be diﬃcult to read or fail to hold the reader’s

Spring 2012

attention. •

Months between publication dates can reduce the relevance and worth of the articles published. Newsletters published infrequently lack all claims to immediacy and contribute strongly to the argument that newsletters are obsolete.

The advantages and disadvantages of both web news and PDF-based newsletters are numerous, even without getting into related areas, such as software requirements and costs, electronic reading devices, etc. News via Facebook and Twitter? For flotilla and division news, it may be the future, but we are not there yet. That does not relieve Publications oﬃcers from learning, improving and publishing interesting, relevant newsletters today. It also behooves us to learn more about digital media, including social media pages and blogs. Test the waters; publish occasional articles of interest or schedules of upcoming Recreational Boating Safety events on your flotilla’s Facebook or other social media page. Ω

Oops! The cap on for the cover image our 2011 Fall issue was so completely wrong that we must correct it. The member pictured on the cover is Reynaldo (Rey) Rivera-Rosado aboard the Auxiliary facility Kamstar1 owned by Ken Morningstar. The photographer is John Sanchez. All are members of Flo lla 74 Brandon, Fla.

U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

District 7

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District Directorate Chief-Response Donald A. Zinner, DDC-R District 7 Opera ons: Auxiliary Assists in 2012 Interna onal Associa on for Disabled Sailing World Championship By Frank Wondolkowski and Larry Keller, Photos by Dick Carl Flo lla 98 Charlo e Harbor, Fla. CHARLOTTE HARBOR, Fla.â&#x20AC;&#x201D;The first two weeks of January saw approximately 100 sailors from 13 countries come to compete in the International Association for Disabled Sailing 2012 World Championship in Charlotte Harbor. The actual racing took place between Jan. 7-15, 2012, and 35 members from two flotillas (Flotilla 98 and 99) participated by providing safety

zones. The regatta was completed successfully with no mishaps. and many of the sailors will be competing in the Paralympic Games to be held oďŹ&#x20AC; the coast of Weymouth, England later this summer. Continued on page 15

Regatta Participating Members: Flotilla 98 Bareither, W. Harden, R. Bingley, G. Johnson, K. Bolton, P. Kavanaugh, F. Bolton, T. Keller, L. Brown, D. Kinsman, M. Bryant, V. Kirkpatrick, G. Carl, R. Knabe, R. Counter, F. LeBlanc, P. Donovan, D. Muenz, J. Donovan, P. Smith, D. Ebert, E. Wilhelm, D. Ehmann, J. Wippel, F. Flores, A. Wondolkowski, G. Ghougasian, J. Wondolkowski, F. Flotilla 99 Abbot, L. Reiner, C. Reiner, P. Robert, R. Sabourin, M. Sleichert, J. Willis, R.

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Continued from page 14

The 28 members from Flotilla 98, together with seven members from Flotilla 99 logged 405 man-hours assisting this event. Impressed with the sailor’s skills and determination, the members got to know some of them, and Larry Keller (Flotilla 98) appeared to have a favorite, contestant Joseph (Jody) Hill from Seabrook, Texas (pictured at left.) Jody, paralyzed from the chest

District 7 Opera ons: Teamwork By Brian Lichtenstein, Flo lla 38 Planta on, Fla.

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla.-Teamwork is essential. Each person has a job to do, and on this HC 144A Ocean Sentry aircraft drop and recovery mission, the members work well together. On board the Heartbeat on Dec. 6, 2011, are Dave Cox (pictured at the helm) and crewmembers Mike Sokasits and George Kozel, members of Flotilla 37 Lighthouse Point, Fla.; Don Banas, Flotilla 34 Pompano, Beach, Fla., and Brian Lichtenstein, Flotilla 38 Plantation Fla. Of Course, spend enough time on the water, and you can see just about anything (below)! Photos by Brian Lichtenstein

Spring 2012

down, races a sloop called Positive. He has been racing since 2008 and has already earned second place in the 2011 North American Challenge Cup, and third place in the 2011 U.S. Disabled Sailing Championships. Given the sailors’ courage, it is no wonder that so many members were willing to dedicate so much time to this race Ω

U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

District 7

Breeze

District Directorate Chief-Prevention David M. Fuller, DDC-P In order to accomplish our goals, we must work together as a team. No individual can do it alone. Just ask Eli Manning of the New York Giants. While he is undoubtedly a great quarterback and leader, his team won the Super Bowl. The same concept applies to the When you first became a member of the Auxiliary, Auxiliary. you probably joined because you wanted to make a difference. We all have various interests that influence Each of our areas of responsibility requires interaction what specific function we wish to perform, but the glue and help from others. As an example, to put students that binds us together is that we all want somehow to in the seats of our Public Education Classes, every member should be a recruiter and help spread the make a difference. word. Vessel Examiners can spread the word and RBS is an area where you can have a dramatic impact hand out class schedules to boat owners during an on people’s lives, both immediate and long term. inspection, and our Program Visitors can stock their Your efforts probably will not make the headlines or partner racks with class schedules. I am certain you be featured on your local TV news broadcast. Every can think of unique ways to reach out to the public. time you teach a Public Education class, perform a Please share these ideas with your Flotilla Staff Officers Vessel Safety Check, report a missing or damaged and the leadership of your flotilla. Aid to Navigation, visit our partners and give them information and literature, facilitate Member Training, You can make a dramatic and lasting difference in or perform Marine Safety duties, you are having an people’s lives by regular participation in Recreational immediate and lasting impact on people’s lives. Our Boating Safety programs. It is very satisfying to know State Liaison Officers also have a direct impact, working that you have made a difference, so go get that feeling! It is the real reason you joined the Auxiliary. Ω behind the scenes and out of the headlines. Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) is at the very heart of what we do for our nation, our states and territories, and our local communities. It is our primary mission and the reason for our existence as an organization.

Once you have the initial training to earn one of these qualifications, you have the tools necessary to begin to make a difference. Begin practicing your craft and seek a mentor to help you improve and sharpen your skills. Just as in anything you do, regular participation is one of the keys to keeping your skill set sharp. You have heard it said many times that “if you don’t use it, you lose it,” and I could not agree more. You need to do more than the minimums to retain the skill set, so regular participation is critical. Make every effort to attend annual workshops when they are offered. They will help to keep you up to date and even sharpen your skill set. One key difference between an amateur and a professional is that the amateur practices until they get it right while the professional TAMPA, Fla.- Helen Russe e shows how Vessel Safety Check data can yield Boa ng Safety practices until they can’t get it Tac cal Informa on at the 2011 Coast Guard Innova on Expo in Tampa in October 2011. wrong. Strive for excellence in With the Auxiliary shi in focus to effec veness measures, John and Helen Russe e from everything you do, and aspire Flo lla 14-5 Green Cove Springs, Fla., are ahead of the pack with a simple tool designed to improve recrea onal boa ng safety by iden fying and addressing the areas of greatest to become a professional. need to recrea onal boaters. Photo provided by John and Helen Russe e

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Think Green: Coast Guard’s 2011 Innova on Expo Flo lla 14-5 proves that eﬀec ve innova ons can be simple! By Helen Russe e

TAMPA, Fla.—Think Green was the theme of the Coast Guard‘s 2011 Innovation Expo held October 25-27 in Tampa, Florida. USCG, USCG Auxiliary, and industry exhibitors showcased practices, initiatives and products to reduce carbon footprints by decreasing energy needs or dependence on carbon emitting fuels. As Auxiliarists, that means using minimal resources to do things better and more eﬃciently. About eighty total exhibits were on display, with a dozen coming from the Auxiliary, nationwide. Of those twelve, an impressive 25% (three innovations) hailed from District 7, Division 14. David Cawton and Walt Reppenhagen of Flotilla14-4 presented NAMS, Navigational Aids Management System. With assistance from fellow Auxiliarists Elaine Cornell and Chuck Farmer, they developed a computerized tool to manage Aids to Navigation (ATONS) and Private Aids to Navigation (PATONS) within the Area of Responsibility of the Aids to Navigation Team at Tybee Island, Georgia. The system facilitates identification and documentation of deviations, and submits Aids to Navigation Reports (Form 7054) in real time. It is time-saving, practical and highly accurate.

A Portable Multi-Modal Communications System (PMMCS), informally called radio-in-a-box, was crafted and demonstrated by John Russette and Willem Loupatty of Flotilla 14-5. The box is an inexpensive ice chest equipped with power converter and antenna tuner, and the radio is a multi-modal device, consisting of a digital marine and a 2-meter VHF radio. Once mounted on its platform – a sprinkler stand from the local hardware store – the (home-made) external, tunable antenna extends to a height of 26 feet, giving the operator access to the nationwide emergency VHF repeater network. The apparatus is designed to expand the scope of telecommunications operators (AUX TCOs) during emergency conditions by giving them multi-modal access to the nationwide VHF emergency radio network that links public safety agencies. Applying Vessel Safety Check data to yield Boating Safety Tactical Information was the third proposal, originated by John Russette and Helen Russette of Flotilla 14-5. Both the source (Vessel Safety Check data), and the instrument for compilation and analysis (computer software) are readily available, so no additional material resources are needed to implement the program. Outcomes include: 1.) Identification of recreational boater behaviors and vessel deficiencies to help Public Education programs d focus on areas of highest non-compliance and fo risk, and 2.) Report generation to support ri aannual follow up in the Vessel Safety Check program. The ultimate goal is to improve p recreational boating safety by identifying re aand addressing the areas of greatest need to recreational boaters. re The 2011 Coast Guard Innovation Expo T provided an opportunity for Auxiliarists p to demonstrate their creativity and resourcefulness and gain immediate feedback re on new ideas. Considerable attention and o interest came from members of the USCG, other in Auxiliarists, and even industry professionals. A This is an annual event, so if you have a good T idea that might oﬀer widespread benefits, id cconsider participating in next year’s Coast Guard Innovation Expo.Ω G

TAMPA, Fla.- John Russe e explains to COMO Walter Jaskiewicz how data obtained from Vessel Safety Checks can be used to iden fy areas of greatest concern to recrea onal boaters at the Coast Guard Innova on Expo October 25-27, 2011. Photo provided by John and Helen Russe e

U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

District 7

Breeze

NEW YORK HARBOR— This summer marked the 75th anniversary of the christening of America’s Tall Ship, USCGC Eagle. To mark this historic anniversary, Eagle sailed across the Atlantic and made port calls in Ireland and England before arriving at her birthplace in Hamburg, Germany. On her way back to the United States, she made port calls in Iceland and Nova Scotia before arriving in Boston. Eagle was originally christened Horst Wessel by Adolph Hitler and served as a German Navy training vessel. After the war, it was taken as reparation by the Coast Guard and used as a Coast Guard training vessel for all academy cadets and many Oﬃcer Candidate School trainees since.

NEW YORK HARBOR--The author, Jerry Janaro, and his son, LT Jeff Janaro, Opera ons Officer Officer, Coast Guard Cu er Eagle, celebrate as the ship enters New York Harbor in August, 2011. Photo by 1st Class Nyxolyno Cangemi, Public Affairs Officer, United States Coast Guard. Next page: Statue of Liberty raises high the torch of promise behind the rigging of the Coast Guard Cu er Eagle. Photo by Jerry Janaro

I was fortunate to be invited aboard Eagle by my son, LT Jeff Janaro, Operations Officer and Navigator, for a one week training cruise between New Bedford, Mass., and New York City. Jeff was the Flotilla 34 Coast Guard Academy Introduction Mission candidate in 1999 and attended the academy from 2000 to 2004. To this day, he asks how flotilla 34 is doing. Spending time at sea aboard Eagle was a wonderful experience. Being able to observe ship operations from my unique perspective as the father of the “OPS BOSS” (operational boat outfit and systems support) was extra special. I was invited to attend all navigation briefs, classes and training sessions for cadets, climb the rigging (which I respectfully declined) and generally had no restrictions anywhere on board. As a training vessel, Eagle and her crew reinforce to cadets many of the classroom lessons taught during the academic year at the academy. I was impressed by the rapport between the crew and the fourth class cadets, as these future officers learned lessons of the sea from well qualified enlisted men and women. After a very tough swab summer, the fourth class cadets were very happy to be aboard and to actually begin their nautical education. They all have four very difficult years ahead of them.

Once I was indoctrinated to life aboard and informed about on board traditions, I got very comfortable in my surroundings. Life in the wardroom, where the officers eat and have meetings, is a very special place on Eagle. The room is filled with museum quality artifacts and pictures of its early life, as well as gifts from the many countries it has visited around the world. Meals were delicious and plentiful, with good conversation led by the Captain, Executive Officer, and Operations Officer. On our fifth day at sea, Eagle sailed within two miles of the Long Island coast and picked up Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. She and her entourage of six staff members and six Secret Service detail spent the next two days on board. The Secretary had never before been aboard Eagle and was visibly impressed by the majesty of the vessel and the professionalism of her crew. From the moment that she came aboard, Secretary Napolitano actively engaged in asking questions and talking to officers and crew alike. The Secretary’s senior aide said to me, “The Coast Guard really hit a home run with this.” Continued on page 18

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As OPS, Jeﬀ’s responsibilities include all deck activities, so, as Eagle sailed along, the Captain gave him the responsibility of explaining to the Secretary all that was going on operationally as the crew went through their various drills and sailing evolutions. As we finally neared lower New York Harbor, the captain decided that we had just the right tide and wind conditions to allow us to sail up the Hudson River to our anchorage area, 400 yards oﬀ the Statue of Liberty. What are the odds of that happening, especially with the Secretary on board? Eagle made a beautiful sight as she sailed under the Verrazano Bridge and made her way to her anchorage for the night. The next morning, as we travelled to our berth in Brooklyn, we were accompanied by Coast Guard helos overhead, a multitude of Coast Guard surface vessels, and the biggest New York City fireboat anyone had ever seen pumping thousands of gallons of water into the air in tribute to our wonderful Eagle. It was truly a great end to a trip of a lifetime! Ω

Jerry Janaro has the opportunity to meet Janet Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security aboard the Coast Guard Cu er Eagle in New York Harbor. Photo by 1st class Nyxolyno Cangemi, Public Aﬀairs Oﬃcer, United States Coast Guard.

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U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

District 7

Breeze

By Constance O. Irvin, District Staff Officer-Public Affairs, D7

he placing of poinsettia-adorned wreaths on the graves of thousands of fallen service men and women at Arlington National Cemetery first caught the attention of the media and the public when a photo of those wreaths, covered with snow, appeared on the Internet. That photo appeared in 2005, but the project really started in 1992 when a small company in Maine, the Worcester Wreath Company, donated 5,000 wreaths to Arlington for placement on Veterans’ graves. It was a gesture that eventually caught the imagination of thousands of volunteers who wanted to place wreaths in cemeteries all across the United States and in foreign countries; anywhere American Veterans were laid to rest. Eventually, Congress designated December as the month to recognize Veterans with “Wreaths Across America.” Many of our Coast Guard Team members are involved in Wreaths Across America (WAA), but Pat McCarn, a member of Flotilla 9-10 Ft. Myers/ Cape Coral Fla., has the distinction of having established the first “floating” location for a WAA ceremony on water. McCarn and his wife, Nancy, have a boat charter business, Rainbow Memorials at Sea. They provide a service, scattering ashes at sea. That business led them to the Auxiliary and to the WAA ceremony in 2009. In November of that year, they arranged a Veterans Day tribute at sea with local marine law enforcement and asked Flotilla 9-10 to escort the vessels. Unfortunately, Tropical Storm Ida forced the cancelation of that event. A phone call to the oﬃces of WAA confirmed that there were no ceremonies held at sea. McCarn and his wife decided to change that and turned their eﬀorts toward the WAA event in December. McCarn also made the decision to join the Auxiliary because of the courtesy and professionalism Auxiliary members showed when helping to set up November’s cancelled ceremony. He asked the flotilla if they would help with the WAA ceremony in the Gulf of Mexico just

off Sanibel Island and it was a resounding, “Yes.” The first service at sea in 2009 involved 19 boats and about 40 participants. Local law enforcement vessels, Auxiliary vessels and a Coast Guard 33-foot Special Purpose Craft-Law Enforcement boat made their way from the Cape Coral Veterans’ Bridge, down the Caloosahatchee and out into the turquoise waters, just three miles off shore from the Sanibel lighthouse. Nancy placed seven wreaths — representing the five military branches, one for prisoners of war and those missing in action m (POW-MIA), and the (P Merchant Marines — M into in the water while a bagpiper played “Amazing Grace,” “A followed by a bugler fo sounding “Taps.” s Newspaper accounts N of o the event resulted in WAA declaring Rainbow Memorials R at a Sea, the first floating WAA ceremony. W In 2010, the event took another turn with a the th involvement of Connie Irvin, Division C 9, Staff Officer-Public Affairs. She made contact with the LTJG Michael Mastrianni, Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Marlin, moored at Station Fort Myers Beach, and asked if they could involve the Marlin and have some local dignitaries aboard for inclusion in the ceremony. One special guest aboard was 89 year old Dorothy Kurtz from North Port, who served as a Coast Guard SPAR from 1943-1946. Mastrianni not only secured the vessel for the ceremony, but also had a special Marlin cap embroidered with Dorothy Kurtz’s name, which he gave to her as she prepared to board the boat. Newspaper and television media, as well as the young crewmembers of the Marlin, were fascinated with Dorothy’s stories about being one of the first Coast Guard SPARS and smiled when she told them how delighted she was with “being paid $21.00 a month for her service.” The 2010 event almost didn’t happen. Fog rolled in off the Gulf and, for a time, it was doubtful that the ceremony would occur. The Marlin made its way Continued on page21

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Spring 2012

Photographs: FORT MYERS, Fla., December 2010—Eighty-nine year old Dorothy Kurtz, a former Coast Guard SPAR (1943-1946), stands at the rail of the Coast Guard Cu er Marlin and watches the Wreaths Across America tribute at sea unfold. In the foreground is the ceremonial boat surrounded by three Auxiliary facili es from Flo lla 9-10 Ft. Myers/Cape Coral, Fla. Photos by Constance O. Irvin, District Staff Officer-Public Affairs D7 Continued from page20

cautiously out to the designated site and lay anchor. Dorothy Kurtz hung on the rail, eyes searching for the approaching vessels which would be part of the Tribute at Sea. Suddenly the fog lifted, and a guest aboard the Marlin remarked, “Look at that. It’s like something out of a movie!” Over 30 vessels carrying over 140 participants appeared out of the fog and into the brilliant Florida sunlight. Coast Guard Auxiliary facilities from Flotilla 9-10 led the way, followed by vessels from Homeland Security, the Sheriﬀ’s Department, local police, Florida Fish and Wildlife, Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and various other agencies. The ceremony began at noon with a minute of silence to remember the fallen. Following opening remarks by retired Army Colonel Chaplain Larry Agers, Nancy McCarn scattered the ashes of Dennis C. Sander, a fallen veteran who had stood watch at President John F. Kennedy’s casket in Washington and acted as a pallbearer for General Douglas MacArthur at his funeral. The laying of the seven wreaths followed the burial at sea for Sander, with the bagpipes playing, and concluded with Taps resounding across the water. On board the Marlin, CG SPAR Dorothy Kurtz was overwhelmed with emotion.

2011’s Tribute at Sea again involved the Marlin and, this time, an honor guard and a group of bagpipers crowded the rails to watch the noon-time ceremony. Members of a local VFW stood on the deck, waiting for the signal to perform a 21 gun salute. Close to 30 vessels carrying veterans, law enforcement, Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary members, handicapped veterans, and Sea Scouts, circled as the seven wreaths were placed in the Gulf in remembrance of those who gave their lives on the high seas to protect and honor their country. The small gesture of laying 5,000 wreaths at Arlington in 1992 continues to grow. In 2011, over 100,000 wreaths were laid by volunteers on grave sites all across our nation and in over thirty foreign countries. But for Pat and Nancy McCarn, “the Coast Guard Auxiliary involvement has aided in helping us continue to honor those who lost their lives at sea during military conflicts. We are honored to be the first Floating ceremony.” The message of Wreaths Across America is simple: Remember, Honor and Teach. As Wreaths Across America goes to sea, it does just that. Ω

U. S. Coast Guard Auxilia Auxiliary

District 7

Breeze

would not have been an n unusual unu usuall sight, sig ght, except except for the pairs of shoes that weree nai nailed buoy. ailed d to tthe hee b uo oy. Apparently, it is a rite of passage pass pa ssage for Citadel Citaade d l cadets ca to swim from the Citadel sho shoreline shore elinee to the the buoy, buoy, leave a pair of shoes, and swim back. not m back k. It iiss no ot a casual casua swim. However, the high-heel the buoy eel shoes es tacked to th are clear evidence of the h lladies’ di ’ presence resence in tthe male dominated military college - Go Girls! We radioed Coast Guard Station Charleston and reported the sighting. No action was required, and we continued on our way down the river.

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Festus Burchfield, coxswain, and crewmembers Ann Graham, Flo lla 12-6 East Cooper SC, and Tommy Timberlake, Flo lla 12-4 Central Grand Strand SC, make a stop at Cooper River Marina to check out the facili es and observe local area infrastructure.

What is warm and delightful in November? That would be the South Carolina sun, defying all weather forecasts for the day. Getting underway at River’s Edge Marina, on the Ashley River, was almost magical this winter morning November 20, 2011, as coxswain Festus Burchfield and crew Barbara Burchfield, Ann Graham and Tommy Timberlake prepared for the day’s safety patrol and training aboard “Voyager.” At slack tide, the river was calm and the sun was already warming up past the point of Personal Protective Equipment (jacket) use. Rotating duty positions of stern watch, bow watch, radio watch and time at the helm gave each person the opportunity to sharpen their skills and maintain proficiency. Operational facility “Voyager” has a new Garmin GPS, which was used for training and familiarization in the use of man overboard, waypoints, and routes. Using the navigation tools quickly and correctly is a big advantage when called out for search and rescue missions, for example. This glorious, warm, winter morning, we happily went our way down the Ashley River to Charleston Harbor.

What is abandoned, broken and should not be tied to a buoy? We didn’t get far before we came upon an odd sight. Before us was a derelict jon-boat tied to the 6A buoy. It

A derelict jon-boat is ed to Buoy 6A in the Ashley River. Pairs of shoes are nailed to the buoy, reportedly by South Carolina Citadel Cadets who swim from the Citadel shoreline to the buoy and back.

What is orange and makes you look up? A now familiar sight, our Coast Guard aviator friends fly directly over us. We wave hello. Coast Guard Air Station Savannah patrols the South Carolina coastline and provides search and rescue missions with HH-65 Dolphin helicopters.

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We were still on the Ashley River, keeping a sharp lookout for anything unusual. On this beautiful, calm, warm day there were lots of boaters and many fishermen on the water. Not many life jackets were visible however, upping the odds for danger and increasing our vigilance.

What is large and floats, but can’t and won’t? That would be those unfortunate sailboats that sank last month in a terrible storm and remain sunken near the channel almost directly across from Coast Guard Station Charleston.

What is convenient and has ice cream? Our familiarization training of the local area and facilities included a visit to Cooper River Marina,

Spring 2012

college.cgauxnet.us/program/training, is a good place to start learning about the effects of pollution on marine environments. Our report to Station Charleston Operations Officer of the Day (OOD) included photos sent using Graham’s ‘smart phone.’ It is a distinct advantage to the Coast Guard when they can receive and evaluate photos immediately during an incident or investigation. The pollutant did not appear to contain oil or other oily substance, just lots of bubbles adrift in the river. Station Charleston advised us that the foam was indeed a biodegradable detergent used by a local dredging company to clean the pipes. Station told us that no further action was required, so Voyager departed for River’s Edge Marina and wrapped up the day’s patrol. The six-hour patrol went by very fast. T It was a very interesting and rewarding day on Auxiliary patrol in the South Carolina o ccoastal waters. Auxiliary members interested in becoming Boat Crew qualified in ccan get started by contacting their Flotilla Commander or Flotilla Staff OfficerC Member Training. You never know what M you will see!Ω y

Le : Cooper River Marina oﬀers many services and conveniences for the boa ng public and is a good place for Auxiliary comfort stops. It also has ice cream!

operated by the Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission. The marina is open daily (except major holidays), has a well-equipped store, pleasant staﬀ, rest rooms, a lounge area, and a covered deck outside. Winter hours, from Oct. 1 – Mar. 31, are 9 A.M. to 5 P.M., and summer hours, Apr. 1 – Sep. 30, are from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

What is white, foamy, and found floating in the river? Detergent! (Detergent?) We came upon a large floating substance that resembled dish detergent. It stretched clear across the Cooper River channel and could be seen from as far away as the Ravenel Bridge, a mile away. The presence of dolphins in the area heightened our concerns about pollution and its eﬀects. Clearly unusual, we investigated further and found the source - two pipes coming out of the ground at Drum Island. Auxiliary online training course Good Mate, available at http://

Below: A foamy white substance resembling detergent is discharged into the Cooper River from two pipes located at Drum Island.

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Air Sta on Miami Makes History Transpor ng the U.S. Army Special ‘Ops’ Parachute Demonstra on Team Ar cle and photos by Diane Riggan, Assistant District Staff Officer–Public Affairs-East D7

STUART Fla.—On STUART, Fla O a windy i dy November No e be day iin 2011 2011, it took just 19 seconds for the HC-144A Ocean Sentry to get airborne. LTJG Dan Feirman and LTJG Hans de Groot from Coast Guard Air Station Miami guided the medium range aircraft into the partly cloudy sky and headed for an altitude of 10,000 feet.

straps, opened cargo st aps got into i to position, positio and a d ope ed the ca go ramp. ra

That day the cargo was light. Onboard was the Coast Guard crew, and, for the first time as a commercial venue, a special operations parachute team from the U.S. Army. The performance by the Black Daggers Parachute Demonstration Team a few days later would be historic – not for them, but for the Coast Guard. Today was practice.

SGT Kelly Becker prepared to jump first. SGT First Class Gordy Horvath, G SSG Travis SS Weathers, and W SSG SS Jeﬀrey Inman would follow w her. Three large he rolls of streamers ro were tossed out w at 2,000 feet to check the winds. ch The team member Th maneuvered around on the ar edge of the open ed cargo ramp to ca get ge the best view for watching fo the wind’s th eﬀects on the colorful streamers. l f l

AMT 3rd Class Stephen Basset and AMT 33rd Class K Kareem ell d Cl Cherbini, United States Coast Guard, talked about how significant this day was. It was the first time the Ocean Sentry would serve as a platform for a jump team for an air show. They were excited about the opportunity to be part of it. Also on board were Diane Riggan and her husband, Wilson Riggan, Chief of Aviation, both members of Flotilla 59 in Stuart. They assisted the Coast Guard with the arrangements for this particular community event and were thrilled to learn that they would be going along for the practice run. Bassett gave them the safety briefing before boarding while waiting for the parachute team. Soon the flight deck checklist was complete, the jump team was onboard, and the cameras were ready to photograph the demonstration team. There would be just one chance to capture this event. Feirman and DeGroot received their clearance to taxi from the tower, brought the power up and rolled into take oﬀ position. After the initial climb out, AMT el Cherbini stretched a safety line mid-fuselage, from side to side, separating the area for the jump team from the rest of the cabin. He then attached his safety

The Ocean Sentry circled the airport and surrounding area to gain altitude while the jump team evaluated the winds. The airfield reported winds at 12 knots, gusting to 16; the limit for a safe jump was not more than 17 knots.

SGT Becker rechecked her gear and began to make her move out to the edge. Becker made history by being the first female chaplain’s assistant to become a member of the Black Dagger’s team. She knelt down, looking intently focused, and, in a blink of an eye, stood up and stepped off the ramp, just as though she were stepping off a curb to cross the street. The brilliant red smoke trailing from her boots may have been visible for miles. The team’s jumpmaster focused on communicating with the cockpit crew, however time was getting close for the others to depart the airplane. They rechecked each other’s safety gear as the plane approached 10,000 feet. SSG Inman gave “thumbs up” to the unofficial photography team, and the three made their way onto the edge of the ramp. In less than 20 seconds, Horvath stepped off backwards into thin air, followed by Inman and Weathers, and they all spread their arms to fly. Each jumper pulled on a thin cord that stretched from their wrist to the canisters on their heels. As they did so, red smoke streamed out and blazed across Continued on page 25

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the clear blue sky, as they parachuted back to earth. Once the entire team was away, the aircraft turned and banked, and AMT el Cherbini activated the controls to close the cargo ramp. In just a few minutes, the aircraft was back on the ground and their day was over. On Sunday, November 13, 2011, with nearly 20,000 people waiting for the opening ceremonies to begin, the jump team finished their walk-thru in a grassy area away from the crowd. They then boarded the Ocean Sentry and, within minutes, the public address announcer drew the crowd’s attention to the Coast Guard HC-144A circling above. Thousands of faces looked skyward, at the gleaming white and orange Coast Guard airplane as it climbed higher and higher. Cameras caught the cargo ramp opening. and soon one jumper was away, highlighted against the beautiful South Florida sky. With smoke streaming from the jumper’s boots, the American flag stretched out behind them in the wind, and the National Anthem playing over the public address system, the team made for an impressive start. The announcer told the audience that the Black Daggers would be presenting the flag they had just carried to the family of one of our nation’s fallen military members. It was presented to Mrs. Elizabeth Jenkins, of Stuart, Fla., to honor her late husband, Navy Second Class Petty Officer Robert Boyd Jenkins, who was killed in Iraq in May 2004. Meanwhile, in the skies above, the Coast Guard crew

Page 24: Wilson Riggan, Auxiliary Chief of Avia on, looks out the window of the HC-144A Ocean Sentry from Coast Guard Sta on Miami during the Coast Guard’s prac ce run with the U.S. Army Black Daggers Parachute Team. Above: SGT Kelly Becker, a member of the U.S. Army’s Black Dagger Parachute Team boards the Coast Guard’s Ocean Sentry before the November prac ce jump. In the background is the Ocean Sentry. The cargo ramp is open and a jumper is visible just beyond the tail.

maneuvered the plane to perform a low pass fly-by, in a final tribute to Jenkins. The crowd cheered and clapped as the Ocean Sentry flew by. At the close of the air show, the Black Daggers presented the Coast Guard crew with a team photo, nicely mounted, with the signatures of the entire team. This day would be noted in Coast Guard aviation history as the first time the Coast Guard transported a parachute demonstration team for an air show in an HC-144A. It was done with the highest degree of skill and professionalism.Ω

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—Most people watching the 2011 Naval Air Station Jacksonville Air Show on November 4, 5, and 6 had their eyes on the sky, anticipating the performance of the Navy’s precision flight team, the Blue Angels. Team Coast Guard, however, had eyes on the sky and eyes on the water. The Coast Guard led the “on the water” team of Navy, local law enforcement, and Auxiliary vessels enforcing the security zone on the St. Johns River for the flight path of the Angels as they approached the air station’s runway and its cheering crowds. Jacksonville is a boating community, with the St. Johns River, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Intracoastal Waterway nearby. Watching the air show from the water is a boating tradition. For precision flying, the Blue Angels require a flight path approaching the runway free of visual distractions. Therefore the Navy asked the Coast Guard to place enough buoys to create an approximately two mile by twomile security zone in front of the runway. During both the Friday practice day and the two public show days, private boats were to be kept out of this zone. While it sounds like a simple task, the security zone restricts boater access to about 20 percent of the width of river, including the side opposite the fly zone, where boaters like to anchor to watch the air show. The most direct route to where boaters want to be is, of course, through the security zone; therefore, Team Coast Guard and local law enforcement stayed busy rerouting boating traﬃc around the security zone. The duty was not without its perks, however, as the edge of the security zone was also the direct flight path for the approach of the Blue Angels’ precision maneuvers. It may have been our imaginations, but those of us who work on the security patrols always feel that the Blue Angels show their appreciation by flying over our patrol vessels.

Auxiliary xiliary ili supportt for f the th Jacksonville J k ill Airshow Ai h iincluded l d d maintaining intaining safety zones under the Blue Angels’ flight path, as well as staﬃng a Recrea onal Boa ng Safety booth at the show. ow.

Team Coast Guard vessels supporting the show included a 25-foot Response Boat from Station Mayport and Auxiliary facilities from Jacksonville Flotilla 14-8 and St. Augustine Flotilla 14-7. In addition to supporting the security zone, Team Coast Guard created a boating safety display at the Air Show. Coast Guard recruiters and members from Jacksonville 148, Arlington 14-2, St. Augustine 14-7 and Green Cove Springs 14-5 staﬀed the display.Ω

Bo om om: m: (F ((From Fro om le le ) JJohn oh o hn Ha H Hadley dlley ey 1 14-8, 4-8, K 4-8, Kevin evin ev in K Koehl oehl oe h 1 14-8, 4-8, 48, H HSC SC C Thomson, om mso on, n U USCG, SCG, SC G,, B G Bob ob b SStrong trong 14-8, ET1 Bound, d, U USCG, SCG SC G, iin n fr fron front ont of the R Recrea e re ec reaa o onal naal Bo n Boaa n ngg Sa Safe Safety fety ty b booth ooth oo th aatt th the he Ja Jack Jacksonville ckssonv nville A Air Show. ow. Phot Photo to b byy M Marlene arlene ar eK Koehl oehl oe hl

Top: p: Kyl Kyle yle Ge Geo George orge and nd W Whit hitt Vi hi Vick ck ffrom rom ro m 14 14-8 -8 aaboard bo oar ard th ard the e Au Auxi Auxiliary x lia facility iliity C Carly arly III he help helped lped ed m maintain aint n ain sa safety afe etyy zzones. ones. on es. Ph es P Photo ho otto byy C Cris rs ri Vonderheide. nde erhe eid ide e.

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the t fixed-wing aircraft crew located the downed aircraft and a its two passengers in an inflatable raft. Tiger 6 proceeded to the plane crash area and arrived at about the p same time as the Coast Guard Jayhawk helicopter and s the t Ocean Sentry aircraft. The Auxiliarists were assured that their assistance was not needed and returned back t to t their original assigned patrol. The rescue helicopter crew arrived on scene at 12:58 p.m. and safely hoisted c the t two survivors onto the aircraft and transferred them to t Odyssey Airport in Nassau, Bahamas for further transport to Emergency Medical Services crew for t medical evaluation. The couple, from Birmingham, m Alabama, were not injured in the crash. A

WEST S ANDROS OS ISLAND, S Bahamas – O On January 7, 2012 at 12:10 PM, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliarists, Robert “Marvin” Dailey, Pilot, and Daniel Ochsenschlager, Aircrew, were conducting a Maritime Observation Mission over the Cay Sal bank south of Anguilla Cay when they overheard a distress call from aircraft Cirrus N273EA reporting an inflight emergency. The pilot reported losing oil pressure and engine power on their single engine plane and approximately 2 miles west of Andros Island in the Bahamas. Tiger 6 Auxiliarists requested the position of the Cirrus plane, ascertained their problem as well as the number of persons and what type of safety equipment they carried. The pilot reported two persons, himself and one passenger, and reported having lifejackets and a raft on board. The Auxiliarists immediately relayed all this information to the Seventh Coast Guard District command center in Miami and a Search and Rescue was launched. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Fla. and a HC-144 Ocean Sentry fixedwing aircraft crew from Coast Guard Air Station Miami were deployed. The Navy’s Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center (AUTEC) also assisted in the search for the downed aircraft. At approximately 12:30 p.m.,

Thanks to the assistance of Robert “Marvin” Dailey and T Daniel Ochsenschlager, members of the Auxiliary Air D Program (AUXAIR) who relayed the downed aircraft P information to the District 7 Coast Guard Command i Center in Miami, these two lives were saved. Ω C

Above: The occupants of the downed aircra await rescue in the ra . The open chute no doubt aided in loca ng the couple in a vast sea of blue. Below: Robert “Marvin” Dailey and Daniel Ochsenschlager, members of the Auxiliary Air Program (AUXAIR) pose next to Tiger-6. The author thanks Auxiliarist J.J. Samuelson, AAC, Air Sta on Miami for his assistance in providing the Incident Report as well as the Tiger-6 crew photo and related informa on.

Volume LVIII Issue 1 U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

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Background photo: U.S. Navy Archives

By Dorothy Riley. Photos by Brian Lichtenstein

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.—In the early morning hours of December 7, 1941, 353 Japanese fighters, bombers, and torpedo planes launched in two waves from six aircraft carriers of the Japanese Imperial Navy and attacked Pearl Harbor. This event thrust the United States into World War II. Pearl Harbor Day commemorates the sacrifices of U.S. servicemen killed and wounded during the attack on Pearl Harbor. As in previous years, Broward Navy Days and the Naval Sea Cadets held a Pearl Harbor Day ceremony hosted by Station Fort Lauderdale. The 2011 ceremony was special in that it was both the 70th Anniversary of that infamous event and the final year of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association. The number of survivors grows fewer every year as its members succumb to age. All are now well over eighty and most over ninety years old. Two survivors, John Zurli and Abe Stein, attended the ceremony at Station Fort Lauderdale. Also in attendance were members of the Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale and Division 3 Coast Guard Auxiliary. Broward County Commissioner Chip LaMarca was the keynote speaker. The ceremony included several touching tributes

including the playing of Taps, participation by a contingent of the Coast Guard Pipe Band, and a wreath laying in honor of those who did not survive that day. LT Paul Turner, Commanding Oﬃcer, Station Ft. Lauderdale, United States Coast Guard, and Commissioner LaMarca jointly tossed the wreath into the waters of Port Everglades. The memory of the attack on Pearl Harbor should not be erased by time. In 1941, war raged on both the European and Asian continents, and despite pleas for military assistance from the Allied Forces, our nation avoided direct involvement. While the Axis Powers, Germany, Italy, and Japan invaded their neighbors, the United States, oﬃcially neutral, provided supplies to our European partners. All claims to neutrality evaporated on December 7, 1941, with the attack on Pearl Harbor. Days later, Hitler declared war against our nation and we found ourselves engaged in wars across both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. In the attack on Pearl Harbor alone, all eight U.S. Navy battleships in port were damaged, four of which were sunk. The Japanese also sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship, and one minelayer. One hundred eighty-eight U.S. Continued on page 29

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Continued from page 28

aircraft were destroyed; 2,402 Americans were killed, and 1,282 wounded, and that was all on a single day! World War II involved most of the world’s nations and is the deadliest conflict in human history. It resulted in fifty to seventy million fatalities and ushered in the nuclear era. For these reasons, Americans must never forget December 7, 1941.Ω

Top and bo om le : A Guardsman plays Taps to honor the lives lost during the a ack on Pearl Harbor. Sea Cadets prepare to present the colors During the 2011 Pearl Harbor Remembrance ceremony. Top right: Pearl Harbor survivors John Zurli and Abe Stein are escorted to the water’s edge by Sea Cadet Commander Alan Starr and Mary Anne Gray from Broward Navy Days. Right: Auxiliary members (from right) Marie Duda (38), Pat Feighery (36), Ed Duda (38), Marvin Merrit (34), Steve Petrozella (34), Ma Rubin (37), and Paul Dala (37) were among the members who a ended the Pearl Harbor Remembrance ceremony. All photos by Brian Lichtenstein

U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla.—When Station Fort Myers Beach commanding officer BOSN4 Jeffery Kerner requested that Connie Irvin, Assistant District Staff Officer-Public Affairs, handle the media for the station’s presentation of their third Kimball Award, Kerner had no idea that Irvin would also work behind his back on a special project. After all, this was a simple request; develop a media strategy to get coverage of the event and maintain control of the media while they were on site. Rear Admiral William Baumgartner, Commander District 7, United States Coast Guard, and Capt. Sheryl Dickinson, Commander, Sector St. Petersburg United States Coast Guard, were to be among the invited guests. Irvin set about handling the media request, but she also planned a “covert operation” which no one at the station knew about.

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gaining access to BOSN4 Kerner and Rear Admiral Baumgartner. After the ceremony, the station’s crew and visiting dignitaries were in the mess deck, enjoying lunch, while a local television station aired the event. Normally, that would have ended the aﬀair, had not Irvin launched her covert plan.

On past photo shoots at the station, Irvin was bombarded with requests for copies of the photos she had taken by station personnel. Irvin knew the Kimball ceremony would require hundreds of printed photos to hand out to those who received the award. Her covert plan was simple: get a commemorative booklet printed and give each member a copy. Irvin contacted a local print shop, and, after learning that they could print the booklet at a reasonable price, she contacted all nine flotilla commanders in Division 9 and asked if they would chip in to fund the project. All agreed and even Division 9 chipped in some funds. She made the commanders promise they would not let “the Constance Irvin presents BOSN4 Jeﬀery Kerner one of the photo cat out of the bag.” booklets published for the individual members of Sta on Fort

So, what is this Kimball Award and why would earning three consecutive such awards merit both RADM William Baumgartner and Sector St. Petersburg’s Commander, Capt. Sheryl Dickinson’s presence at the ceremony? Myers Beach who received the Kimball Award on November 16. The Kimball ceremony The Kimball Award was The booklet was presented at the Division 9 mee ng on December took place on November 16. Irvin determined to named after Sumner 3. Photo provided by Constance Irvin have the booklet ready to I. Kimball and was established by the Coast Guard in 2001. Kimball hand over to BOSN4 Kerner at the Division meeting on served in the Life-Saving Service from 1878-1915. He is December 3. Laying out a 24-page, full color booklet and credited with organizing separate life-saving stations making sure that all names and ranks of the station’s into unified, mission-capable teams. These stations crew were correct took some doing. It also required a became a part of the Coast Guard in 1951. Kimball’s promise of secrecy from one member of Station Fort skill in organization is credited with putting the Coast Myers Beach– and it wasn’t the commanding oﬃcer! Guard on the road to professionalism. These awards Thanksgiving weekend, although a happy occasion for are given every two years to small boat stations, and most, proved a stressful time for Irvin because of the only after rigorous inspections of vessel conditions, downtime at the print shop. observation of survival systems, performance of underway drills and examination of unit training The print shop agreed to print each individual programs. Only about 10 percent of U.S Coast recipient’s name on the cover of the booklet, but the Guard shore-based boat force units are awarded the list of names was slow in coming. After much hand wringing and lost sleep, Irvin picked up the finished prestigious Kimball Award each year. booklets at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2–A close call, The event went oﬀ as planned. Irvin enlisted the help indeed! of Coast Guard Auxiliary member Mike Ludwig to Continued on page 31 help her take photos, while she aided the media in

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Cintinued from page 30

At the meeting of Division 9 on Dec. 3, Irvin presented the booklets. BOSN4 Kerner was visibly overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness of the division members in giving such a keepsake to station personnel. Booklets also went to all local flotillas and up the line to Sector St. Pete. Upon receiving a copy, Deputy Sector Commander Peter Martin said, “I’ve never seen anything done like this before. Those kids at the station will not forget this and they won’t forget the Auxiliary.” Sometimes, keeping a secret is a good thing.Ω The members of Sta on Fort Meyers Beach, United States Coast Guard who earned the cove ed Kimball Award for the third me in 2011. Photo by Constance Irvin

Photos by Brian Lichtenstein, Flo lla 38, Planta on, Fla.

This is a drill. This is only a drill. In the event this were a real emergency, Oscar would not be a dummy! While there is humor in the sub tle, the Coast Guard Auxiliary takes training seriously. S ll we hear, “Have fun out there,” and many of us unabashedly enjoy our training ac vi es. Background image: So Shell with Bob Hackney, coxswain, and crewmembers Ed Duda, Joe Aleba and Pam Charles, all members of Flo lla 38 Planta on on patrol November 12, 2011. Filmstrip images: Flo lla 38 members Joe Aleba, Bill Hanlon, Dennis Georgia, and Brian Lichtenstein conduct man overboard drills in the Port Everglades turning basin on January 28, 2012.

Auxiliary Assists in Annual “Paddle Florida” Event Ar cle and photos by Patricia Gross

UPPER KEYS, Fla.— “The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is our steadfast volunteer corps. Our Auxiliary Shipmates assist the Coast Guard with performing our many challenging maritime missions, with boating safety remaining as their core function.” These words are taken from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Policy Statement. However, we often overlook paddle craft (kayaks) as part of that safeguarding. Back in September, I was contacted by Bill Richards, of Paddle Florida, regarding their yearly “Paddle Florida: The Keys Challenge,” scheduled for January 12-22, 2012. Being a kayaker myself, I jumped at the chance to show off the dedication and skills of my new Coast Guard Auxiliary family. Without hesitation (which in retrospect might have been putting the horse before the cart), I volunteered the Coast Guard Auxiliary services to provide a safety patrol boat to accompany them throughout the 120-mile journey. Being a new Vessel Examiner, however, I also offered to conduct Vessel Examinations, as well a safety briefing by Joe Penar, Flotilla Staff Officer-Vessel Examination. Bill Richard explained that, with all of the festivities celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Flagler Train, the goal of Paddle Florida was to have 100 paddlers, paddling 100 miles in 10 days, arriving in Key West on the 100th anniversary of the arrival of Mr. Flagler and his infamous train. For more information, their website, paddleflorida.org, has a great detailed description of each leg of the trip. I never dreamt of the complexities involved in coordinating such an event. Thank goodness for Flotilla 13-8 member Conrad Sankpill! He rose to this challenge with ease, grace and professionalism at every turn. He never questioned my offer of support

to this group; he just took control of the reins. Sankpill contacted the two other flotillas in the Keys needed to provide the safety patrol for the entire length of the Keys and coordinated their assistance. Paddle Florida provided us with the GPS coordinates for every stop, including their lunch stops. One day, we even delivered their lunch to a remote location and then returned to base with the coordinator and their trash. Due to some unforeseen circumstances, the route had to be modified, but I worked with Richard until we had a workable schedule and made all necessary modifications, prior to their departure. The Group Coordinator advised that the Paddlers would only have cellphones. The Auxiliary knew it was much safer to use radios, and the Paddlers soon purchased marine radios to communicate with our safety patrol boats, and designated three key boats — the lead boat, the roaming “safety/medical” boat, and the chase boat — and provided the new radios to these three. Prior to Day One, Sankpill issued instructions to all of the participating flotilla members: Bob Hoﬀman, David Gross, Patti Gross, Ed Miller and Conrad Sankpill. Again, at the end of each day, he issued a report, and included the other flotillas, giving everyone an idea of any issues that arose that day. I also learned that nothing like this had been performed in the Keys, and, secretly, I was thrilled to be a part of this truly historic event. Day One, was the most amazingly picture-perfect day for paddling. Fifty-seven paddlers launched their ocean kayaks, loaded with safety equipment and gear (oh, I forgot to mention, they camped all along the Continued on page 33

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had no idea how many would want to participate. Thanks to Pat Fincannon, David Gross, Patti Gross, Jim Marcott, Ed Miller, and Al Zelinsky, the group issued 25 Vessel Safety Check decals. Many Paddlers wanted us to check their equipment but didn’t want a sticker aﬃxed to their kayaks. The group was incredibly well prepared. Most had more safety equipment than many of us would have imagined: extra life jackets onboard, extra paddles, marine radios, GPS, multiple signaling devices and more. The gratitude towards the Coast Guard Auxiliary that was expressed by the paddlers was overwhelming! They appreciated our watchful eyes, and they had a higher sense of security knowing we were nearby. Day Three was from the Sea Base to Long Key, and the weather had taken a vicious turn. Winds were high, seas were building and small craft advisories had been issued. The group was determined to move forward.

Continued from page 32

way). The mood was fabulous, as this experienced group of paddlers knew what a rare treat the perfect weather provided. This fabulous weather was truly needed, as Day One was a long, 20-mile paddle. On this day, the Safety Boat was only required to provide them with guidance for a safe passage in shallow areas during low tide. Day Two, Safety Vessel Examiners met the group at the Florida Boy Scout Sea Base to provide a Safety Briefing and perform to Vessel Safety Check of their paddle crafts and their safety equipment. Joe Penar was amazing in securing a suﬃcient number of Examiners. We were limited by the daylight hours and really

On this day, the crew did provide an assist. One kayak got caught in the trough of a wave and was flipped. The chase boat arrived very quickly to lend assistance, but it was obvious that both the cold and force of the water had startled the paddler. The Auxiliary vessel quickly got the paddler aboard the boat, along with his kayak. They managed to drain the water from the kayak, and, after the paddler warmed up, they launched him back, and he was able to safely continue with the group to Long Key. From the daily updates received by the Marathon and Key West Flotillas, the group arrived at Fort Zachary State Park on time and without further incident. The number of Auxiliary members who participated was extraordinary! This complicated and complex effort came off smoothly and efficiently. The dedication of the men and women who serve in the Coast Guard Auxiliary is exceptional and I am proud to be a part of this amazing and supportive group. Ω Cap ons: Facing Page: The paddlers enter John Pennekamp State Park in Key Largo, Fla. This page: Pat Fincannon (top) and Ed Miller (below) perform Vessel Safety Checks on the kayaks making the 100-mile journey down through the Florida Keys in January 2012. Photo by Patricia Gross

Click to Watch Video

U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

SAND KEY, Fla.—Chief Warrant Officer Morgan Dudley, Commanding Officer of Coast Guard Station Sand Key, initiated a unique program to reward and motivate Coast Guard Auxiliarists who successfully accomplish a Search and Rescue incident for the Coast Guard. Station Sand Key executed approximately 200 Search and Rescue cases in fiscal year 2011, and Division 11 Coast Guard Auxiliary members performed an unprecedented 30% of them. The two-part program is dubbed Keys of Success. Every member on an authorized patrol in the local waters who participates in a Search and Rescue case is awarded a key painted blue and white and a specially designed key ring on which to place the Keys of Success. In addition, the Auxiliary facility that the crew was embarked on when they performed the Search and Rescue case is awarded a special decal, with a life ring and Coast Guard Auxiliary emblem. When asked if the Keys of Success were responsible for the high numbers of rescues performed by the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Dudley responded, “Regardless of the reason, the Auxiliarists in Division 11 saved lives that were in danger on our seas and assisted numerous boaters in distress. The Keys of Success is one way the men and women of Coast Guard Station Sand Key can recognize the Auxiliary’s outstanding efforts.” The Search and Rescue cases in Sand Key’s area of

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responsibility can be as simple as towing a disabled boat to its home port or boat ramp, or as complex as executing hours of specialized search patterns specifically designed to assist in detecting the boaters in distress after the sighting of a flare. Often the Search and Rescue cases result in helping boaters who are in the water because their vessel has capsized or sunk and who are in danger of losing their lives. The Keys of Success program has spurred some healthy competition among certain members – each of them earning eight keys and decals for the period from May 1 through December 31, 2011. In reality, what the program has done is to put all members on patrol on high alert, to encourage them to respond quickly to calls-outs for Search and Rescue cases initiated by the Coast Guard, and to keep a good lookout while on the water for the more routine disabled vessel cases. Captain Sheryl Dickinson, Commander Sector St. Petersburg, has been pleased with the results of the Keys of Success program. She recently visited Station Sand Key and held a special ceremony to place the first decals on two of the Auxiliary facilities: Ed and Teresa Kasper’s Ghost and Karen Miller’s Broad on the Bow. CWO Dudley followed suit the next week and placed the Keys of Success decals on Louis Davis’ Sea Bear. Division 11 members cover the waterways on the central west coast of Florida from Aripeka in the north to John’s Pass in the south; the same area protected by USCG sa Station Sand Key. There are S local Auxiliary units in Hudson, lo New Port Richey, Tarpon N Springs, Dunedin, Clearwater S and Madeira Beach. Ω an

Captain Sheryl Dickinson, Commander, Sector St. Petersburg, places the Keys of Success decals on Auxiliary Facility Ghost. with Ed and Teresa Kasper and Station Sand Key Commanding Officer CWO Morgan Dudley in the background. Photo by Jim Ryder, Division Commander 11

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Spring 2012

Riding Along with a Breeze By Judith Hudson, District Captain-East D7

EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, Fla.—Every year for the past four years, a group of about 25 civilian, Auxiliary, and active duty members of Team Coast Guard gather with their bicycles west of Miami to take a fifteen-mile ride into Everglades National Park, known as the Shark Valley Bike Ride. Why? To see this primitive environment in its most natural and serene state, enjoy great fellowship, make new friends, and get some (and in some cases much needed) exercise. Because the ride takes place in a national park, a Park Ranger gives a briefing about the terrain and its inhabitants, and a few do’s and don’ts before the ride starts. In past years, this ride was Bikers move to the side as a tram passes, but even this proves to be yet scheduled during a full moon another opportunity to see and photograph the wildlife along the Everglade’s starting at the Park entrance just Shark Valley Bike Trail on Feb. 4, 2012. Photo by Judith Hudson before sunset. The timing took advantage of the scenery while everything. At night, various birds and creatures at its most beautiful; riding to an observation tower awaken and come to greet these strange-looking about halfway along the 15-mile loop at sunset, and cyclists, so participants get an atypical view of the riding back by moonlight – after the alligators have Everglades. gone to spend the night in the watery swamps. At the end of the trail, the riders stop at a barbeque joint This year, the ride was scheduled three days prior to replenish their bodies with calories and some wellto the full moon, and everyone participating agreed deserved liquid refreshments. This is such an enjoyable that it actually was the best lighting condition to see and educational event that many participants take this jjourney every year even though a couple of times, someone has almost run over an o aalligator on the first leg of the ride while it is still light. There is nothing like learning about our T environment and having fun! Ω en

A Park Ranger from Everglades Na onal Park briefs the riders on the terrain and oﬀers some necessary do’s and don’ts to keep everyone safe and make the ride more enjoyable. Photo by Judith Hudson

36 3 6

U. S U. S.. C Co Coast oast Guard Auxiliary

District Distri riict ict 7

Breeze

By Do e Riley, District Staﬀ Oﬃcer-Publica ons D7

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—On the evening of January 28, 1980, the USCGC Blackthorn left Tampa Shipyard to return to her homeport in Galveston, Texas. The Blackthorn never made it home. At 7:21 p.m., the ship collided with the tanker SS Capricorn just beyond the Skyway Bridge and quickly sank. The Coast Guard responded immediately to rescue the survivors, as did members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Divisions Seven, Eight and Eleven, who kept the channel clear and set up safety and security zones around the wreck. Every year, on January 28, both Sector St. Petersburg and Sector Houston-Galveston hold a remembrance ceremony to honor the 23 Coastguardsmen who lost their lives that day. The annual ceremony in St. Petersburg is held at the Blackthorn Memorial, located at the northern approach to the Skyway Bridge. This year’s guests included Vice Admiral Robert C. Parker, Commander, Atlantic Area / Commander, Defense Force East; and Rear Admiral William D. Baumgartner, Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District. Several members of the Auxiliary also attended, including Melvin Manning, District Captain-West; Casey Jankowski, former Rear Commodore-West (now called District Captain-West); Jimmy Ryder, Division 11 Commander; and Paulette Parent, Division 8 Commander. Vice Admiral Parker delivered a poignant address. He is one of 90 members of the Coast Guard remaining who served at the time of the tragedy and vividly recalled his personal whereabouts and response when

he first heard about the collision. As the Admiral pointed out, the average age of today’s member of the Coast Guard is thirty years old, which means that most where not born when this tragedy occurred. Since the average age of Auxiliarists is considerably higher, even fewer Auxiliarists survive who remember first-hand the events of that day. It is an event that should be remembered. Not only did it constitute the greatest loss of life in a single event by the Coast Guard in peacetime, but also it changed how the Coast Guard trained its command level oﬃcers and senior enlisted members for command duty afloat. The Blackthorn tragedy sent shockwaves throughout the Coast Guard. It was unthinkable that a sturdy buoy tender would sink within minutes, and even more disturbing that nearly half of its crew would drown. Subsequent investigations by the United States Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation concluded that, while the captains of both the Blackthorn and the Capricorn were at fault, primary responsibility rested with the captain of the Blackthorn. “The board determined that the cause of the casualty was the failure of both vessels to keep well to that side of the channel which lay on their starboard (right) side.” While concurring with the marine board’s determination of the cause, the Commandant emphasized, in his “Action,” that the failure of the persons in charge of both vessels to ascertain the intentions of the other through the exchange of appropriate whistle signals was the primary contributing cause. Additionally, Admiral Continued on page 36

Volume LVIII

Issue 1

Continued from page 36

Hayes pointed out that attempts to establish a passing agreement using only radiotelephone communications failed as an adequate substitute for exchanging proper whistle signals. “The collision occurred in the evening of January 28, 1980, near the junction of Mullet Key and Cut “A” Channels approximately three-quarters of a mile from the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay. The vessels collided nearly head on, and as a result, the port anchor of Capricorn became embedded in the port side of the Blackthorn. The momentum of the two vessels caused the Capricorn’s anchor chain to become taut which resulted in the capsizing of the Blackthorn. The Capricorn subsequently ran aground north of the channel and the Blackthorn sank in the channel. Twenty-seven of the 50 Blackthorn crew members were rescued.” The sinking of the Blackthorn and the subsequent investigative report provided the impetus for establishing the Command and Operations School at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Conn. Commanding oﬃcers are now required to assess risks, such as transiting an unfamiliar port at night; are given full discretion; and are encouraged to say no if they feel the risks involved are unnecessary. Additionally, the Coast Guard developed new training requirements, spent more money on safety equipment and made changes to the navigational aids in and around Tampa Bay. Ω

Right: Members of the Coast Guard Pipe Band play Amazing Grace at the conclusion of the Blackthorn Remembrance ceremony. They are Stephen and Be y Rogers, members of Flo lla 36, Boca Raton, Fla. Photo by D. Riley

Spring 2012

Cap ons Facing page: A Guardsmen from Sector St. Petrsburg places a single rose bearing the name of one of the cu ermen who died in the tragic collision of the USCGC Blackthorn thirty-two years ago this day, Jan. 28, 2012, at the foot of the memorial. Photo by D. Riley Above le : Jimmy Ryder, Division Commander 11; Jon Nicholls, (Flo lla 11-7); Melvin Manning, District Captain-West; and Frank Sposato, (Flo lla 11-1) at the Blackthorn Memorial Remembrance Ceremony on Jan. 28, 2012 in St. Petersburg. Photo by D. Riley Above right: Sector St. Petersburg Honor Guard fire a salute to their fallen shipmates. Photo by Auxiliary member, Deborah A. Mallory, Public Aﬀairs Oﬃcer, Air Sta on Clearwater

Top: TAMPA, Fla.—Members of the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary a ended the Annual Salute to the Coast Guard on January 26 at the Propeller Club, Port of Tampa. Three Coast Guard units received the pres gious awards, the USCGC Vise, Coast Guard Sta on Sand Key, and Coast Guard Sta on Fort Myers Beach. Vice Admiral Robert Parker, Commander Atlan c Area/Commander, Defense Force East is in the center, with CAPT Sheryl Dickinson, Commander Sector St. Petersburg on the le . Also shown are CAPT John Turner, Commanding Officer, CG Air Sta on Clearwater; CWO4 Morgan Dudley, Commander, Sta on Sand Key; CWO J. Kerner, Commanding Officer, Sta on Fort Myers Beach; and the Commanders of each unit receiving the award, except for the commander of the USCGC HAWK who was on duty. CWO4 Morgan Dudley included Auxiliarists as part of the Sta on Sand Key con ngent. They are Mel Manning, District Captain-West; Don Hoge, Auxiliary Sector Coordinator St. Petersburg; and Jim Ryder, Division 11 Commander. Photo by Auxiliarist Deborah Mallory, POA Air Sta on Clearwater Right: CLEARWATER, Fla.—COMO Walter Jaskiewicz, District 7 Commodore, presents the “Flo lla Leadership Prac ces” module of the District 7 Flo lla Leadership Road Show on Saturday, Feb. 11, at Clearwater Air Sta on. The Road Show introduces leaders to performance measures and shows them how to create flo lla ac on plans. The concepts presented are not the typical flo lla management fare and should be of interest to all elected and staff officers at every level. Photo by Do e Riley