From the Helm They also serve who only stand and wait. -John Milton, English Poet, 1608-1674 And wait. And wait. And wait. Then wait some more… Out of an abundance of caution, the United States Coast Guard- affectionately known as “the “Gold Side” by the Auxiliary- ordered a total stand down in March of 2020. We shortly thereafter learned just how many of us were 60 years of age or over. Most of us! So, we found ourselves in one of the most vulnerable age categories. What a challenge to our patience!
Riley suffered water damage in her home, as did Tony Novellino, Division Commander in which a broken water pipe caused tens of thousands of dollars in damages to his condo. Flotilla 72 St. Petersburg also suffered a broken water pipe which forced the closure of their building for several months and counting. Good news there in that the Gold Side, which owns the building, is going all-out on repairs with the promise of a much improved facility in the future.
Because of face-to-face restrictions the Auxiliary has turned to “virtual meetings” with ZOOM and other platforms. It has been a truly positive experience to feel the joy of Auxiliarists as they were able to reconnect. COVID-19 was a shame- how about Electronic fellowship! Moreover, our that for an understatement? - but it Information Technology professionals hit Division 7 right at the time when have really stood up. Kudos to Tony we were off to a fabulous start for the Hooper and John Robbins. Individualyear. Vessel Examinations, Public ly, our members have greatly expandEducation classes, Partner Visitaed their United States Coast Guard tions and Food Service were all on a Auxiliary knowledge, taking advantrack to set record highs for the year. tage of the lull in all other Auxiliary But then it all came crashing down. activities. With each passing month we hoped Thanks to the direction of Tom to resume our mission to improve Bamford, District Captain-West, we recreational boating safety and, evenhave maintained a high level of close tually, we were allowed to do so, but communication with Sector St. Peunder new restrictions. After years tersburg. Among other things we have of downplaying the effectiveness of learned that positive tests of Coronaonline Public Education instruction versus the Auxiliary’s in-person class- virus were taking place on the active duty side. Fortunately, there have es, we needed to adapt and Flotilla been no deaths. The Division 7 Aux79 Tampa led the way for the Diviiliary had three positive tests as well sion, becoming the “Go To” source for those boaters desiring to improve and all members have fully recovered. their boating skills. One can only marvel at the fact that new member recruitment continues The Memorial Day Weekend finalapace! This bodes very well for the ly found us back on the water with future of the Auxiliary, an Auxiliary that several Maritime Observation Missions, but that was it for on the water will have the highest numbers of cermissions for months afterward. Nev- tified and trained members we have ever seen. Semper Paratus! Ω ertheless, water still played a major role for us in 2020. Auxiliarist Dorothy INTERCOM
Winter 2020
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News and information from the Division 7 Vice Commander
Kevin Buckley VCDR
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