United States Coast Guard Auxiliary 7th District Breeze Volume LVIII Number 1 Spring 2012

http://www.cgaux7.org/ Is the offi cial publica on of the UNITED STATES COAST GUARD United States Coast Guard Auxiliary 7th District District Commander h p://www.cgaux7.org/ RADM William D. Baumgartner, USCG Volume LVIII Issue 1 Spring 2012 Director of Auxiliary District 7 CDR Jose’ Quinones District Staff Offi cers Opera ons Training Offi cer Auxiliary Sector Coordinators CWO2 Ursula Walther Preven on Department ASC Sector Charleston Lyle E Le eer ……...... DSO-MS U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY Reginald B. Hollar Frank R. Lann ….………...... …..…DSO-MT Ronald D. Foreman……………...... ….DSO-PV District Commodore David M. Wall....……..……...... ……..DSO-PE ASC Sector St. Petersburg COMO Walter Jaskiewicz William S. Griswold……..…...... …..…DSO-SL Donald C. Hoge Chuck Kelemen ……...... …………DSO-VE District Chief of Staff John Tyson ASC Sector Jacksonville Response Department David C. Cawton David Cawton …………………...... DSO-NS Immediate Past District Commodore Cecil Christopher..…………..…...... DSO-AV COMO Donald L. Frasch ASC Sector Key West Harry S. Reynolds…..…...…...... …..DSO-CM R. Dewey Jackson Dudley Davis ...... ……………...... …...DSO-OP District Captain North Jerry Henderson.……...... …..QE Coordinator Robert Weskerna ASC Sector San Juan Logis cs Department District Captain West Osvaldo M. Ca nchi David Has ngs....…...……...... ……...DSO-CS Melvin Manning Susan Z. Has ngs……...……...…...... DSO-IS ASC Sector Miami Constance O. Irvin...…………...... ….DSO-PA District Captain East William V. Tejeiro Dorothy J. Riley…. ……………...... …DSO-PB Judith Hudson Angela Pomaro .…..…...…...... ….…..DSO-HR Terry Barth ……………...…...... ……..DSO-MA Richard J. Leys………...... …………....DSO-DV Division Commanders 2012 Other Division 1……...... …………………Angel Benero Lillian G. GaNun …….……………...... DSO-SR Division 2….…...... …..……...... Loren R. Emery II James Roche ...... …...….…..……...... DSSO Richard Petrucci...………...... ……..….DFSO BREEZE is the offi cial and educa onal Division 3….…...... ….……….. Samuel E. Duda Division 4………...... William J. Sorren no, Sr. Andrew Anderson…………...... ….…….DSO-LP tool of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 7th Division 5……….…...... …….... Gary P. Barth Phillip Poole ...... …………...... ….……....D-LL District and is intended as a publica on Division 6……...... ……….……. Thomas R. Walker James Mayer...... …………...... …..…DSO-FN to keep the membership apprised of the Division 7…...... …..…...….. J. Michael Shea Richard Leys………..….………...... PPDCPA ac vi es of the Auxiliary. All ar cles and Division 8……...... Paule e Parent COMO Donald Frasch...... Plan Coordinator photographs submi ed must be consistent Division 9……….....…….....….. David C. Crockwell Thomas Brickey ...... …District Materials Center with the policies of the Coast Guard and Division 10…………...... …..Warren M. Wilson the Auxiliary and may not be returned. Division 11……...... ………….. Jimmy R. Ryder District Administra ve Assistant & Aide Electronic submissions are encouraged. Division 12…………...... ……….Vito W. Giardina Carolyn R. Hooley ……...…...... D-AD Personal informa on of members is Division 13……………...... Jeff ery A. Bronsing Elaine J. Cornell ……………………...... D-AA protected by the Privacy Act of 1974. Division 14…….……...... ……John Hadley Barbara Jaskiewicz...... D-AA The use of these rosters, addresses Division 15………...... ……………….. Craig Elliot Gwendolyn Leys ...... ………...... Advocate and telephone numbers on any Division 16………...... …... Lee E. Elvins computer or online service including Division 17……...... ……....…..... Cal D. Motes the Internet is prohibited by the Act. Comments are encouraged and may be sent District 7 Directorate Chiefs to Dorothy Riley, Editor (District Offi cer- Publica ons) at: do [email protected]. Logis cs Ar cles in the BREEZE may be reprinted James Dennen, DDC-L provided credit is given and a copy is sent to h p://d7materials.org/index.php the above Editor and Publica ons Offi cer. Preven on The center is now open David M. Fuller, DDC-P Monday & Thursday 1000-1600 Do not send changes of address to the You can reach the center by phone BREEZE. You can obtain a change of Response during these hours at: member informa on report (7028) from Donald A. Zinner, DDC-R (727) 535-2593 your Materials Offi cer and submit it through channels. Volume LVIII Issue 1 Spring 2012 1

The offi cial publication of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary 7th District

In this issue...

2 From the Bridge: Commodore Walter Jaskiewicz 18 Coast Guard Cu er Eagle’s 75th Anniversary Cruise 3 From the Bridge: John Tyson, DCOS Jerry Janaro

4 From the Bridge: COMO Donald Frasch, IPDCO 22 Patrol Puzzlements Barbara Burchfi eld 5 Around District 7 24 Air Sta on Miami Makes History 6 District Captain North Diane Riggan Robert Weskerna, DCAPT-North 26 Guardians for the Angels 8 District Captain West Kevin Koehl Melvin Manning, DCAPT-West 27 Tiger-6: Auxiliary Air Coastal Patrol Assists 10 District Captain-East Downed Aircra in the Bahamas Judith Hudson, DCAPT-East Lourdes R. Oliveras

11 U.S. Navy to St. Croix Auxiliary 28 Remembering Pearl Harbor Doug Armstrong Dorothy Riley Photos by Brian Lichtenstein

12 District Directorate Chief-Logis cs 30 Keeping a Secret James Dennen, DDC-L Constance O. Irvin R.I.P.: Is this the fate of Auxiliary Newsle ers? Dorothy Riley 31 Man Overboard! Photos by Brian Lichtenstein 14 District Directorate Chief-Response Donald A. Zinner, DDC-R 32 Auxiliary Assists in Annual “Paddle Florida” Event District 7 Opera ons: Auxiliary Assists in 2012 Patricia Gross Interna onal Associa on for Disabled Sailing World Championship 34 USCG Sta on Sand Key – Keys of Success Program Frank Wondolkowski and Larry Keller Karen L. Miller

15 District 7 Opera ons: Teamwork 35 Riding Along with a Breeze Brian Lichtenstein Judith Hudson

16 District Directorate Chief-Preven on 36 Blackthorn Remembrance Ceremony David M. Fuller, DDC-P Dorothy Riley Think Green: Coast Guard’s 2011 Innova on Expo

17 Flo lla 14-5 Proves that Eff ec ve Innova ons Can be Simple! Helen Russe e 2 U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary District 7 Breeze From the Bridge

Commodore Walter Jaskiewicz District Commodore D7 Uncommon Strength Unwavering Service members U.S. Coast Guard Reserve) that is nine pages Although it is only a few long. We have indeed come a long way as we are now weeks into the new year, a separate entity and our current Auxiliary Manual is it has been busy for all of 700 pages long! us. N-Train in Saint Louis (Jan. 22-29, 2012) once again One thing that has not changed through all of these provided great training in years is the dedication and the spirit of our members many offi ce positions. who continue to meet and accept the many changes and day-to-day challenges. Our Coast Guard missions On the subject of training, I recently returned from St. off er increasing support opportunities such as the Thomas, U.S Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico where outstanding Auxiliary Chef Program, the Interpreter John Tyson, District Chief of Staff , and Dan Stewart Corps, and Incident Command System Qualifi ed McIntyre, Assistant District Staff Offi cer-Member Responders to name just a few. District 7 is a leader Training instructed a full day of Leadership Training in thinking “out of the box” to conceive new support to the recently elected leaders of Divisions One and missions. The numerous talents and skills of our Sixteen. Att endees included staff offi cers as well members are our greatest resource. Those talents and as other members who volunteered. Bringing this skills are now being entered into a database using our training directly to each of our divisions has proved new Skill Set Software. This database will allow online to be extremely benefi cial and has improved district access to information about member’s skills, trade, support to our members, which in turn increases our location, and availability in a timed response situation. credibility in executing our Coast Guard missions. As I enter my second year at the bridge, every day I’m Last year I had the honor of att ending two seventy- amazed at the spirit of service our volunteers provide. year fl otilla anniversaries. Two more are scheduled No words can describe my appreciation for all that you this year. The history of these fl otillas is something of do.Ω which we should all be extremely proud. I have a copy of the fi rst Auxiliary manual that is titled, “Information Semper Paratus, and Advice for Coast Guard Auxiliarymen” (now COMO Walter R. Jaskiewicz, DCO 7

PUERTO RICO—The District 7 Flo lla Leadership Road Show was off ered in Puerto Rico Jan. 22, 2012. From le : Commodore Walter R. Jaskiewicz, District 7 Commodore; Angel M. Benero, Division 1 Commander; Gregorio Maysonet, Staff Offi cer-Naviga on Systems, Division 1; Luis Irizarry, Staff Offi cer-Opera ons, Division 1; Jose Rivera, Staff Offi cer-Communica ons Division 1; John D. Tyson – District 7 Chief of Staff ; and Lourdes R. Oliveras, Assistant District Staff Offi cer-Public Aff airs- South D7, also from Puerto Rico. U.S.C.G. Auxiliary photograph Volume LVIII Issue 1 Spring 2012 3

From the Bridge

John Tyson District Chief of Staff

Is Our District Making Progress? The answer to that question depends upon whom you and analysis to help units ask. Most of us would like to believe that the Seventh evaluate progress against District Auxiliary is making progress every day. After goals. all, doesn’t the District Gold Side leadership tell us that we do an outstanding job of serving our two primary To emphasize the customers, the Coast Guard and the recreational importance of leadership boating public? But do we reallyeally knowknow we are “making“making pracpracticestices iinn iimprovingmproving progress”? the district’s performance, CommoCommodoredore JasJaskiewiczkiewicz iiss presently leading a series Commodore Jaskiewicz andd members of the District of workshops to hehelplp uunitn leaders develop skills in Executive Committ ee addressedessed tthathat question earearlyly strategic andand action planning,plan team building, and last year. After carefully reviewingeviewing AuxdataAuxdata entries performance measurememeasurement.n Workshops for offi cers in for missions during the previousrevious several years, the Divisions 1, 7, 11, 15 anandd 1177 were held in early February, Executive Committ ee concludeduded tthathat ouourr didistrictstrict iiss iinn and six more workshops aare scheduled for the coming danger of “standing still.” AAndnd as many of us know, weeks. AAlthoughlthough these wworkshops focus on the needs organizations that “stand still”ll” are really falling behind. of fl otilla and division offi cers, they are, when space permits, open to any mmemberse who aspire to hold Commodore Jaskiewicz respondedsponded quicquicklykly to tthathat an elected or staff offi ce iin the future. Any member assessment, however, by formingorming an OOrganizationalrganizational who feels they can benefi t from learning these skills Performance Team (OPT) to consider ways to improve shshouldould ccontactontact ttheirheir FFlotillaloti Commander or Division the district’s performance andnd to recommend specifi c CCommanderommander foforr ththee dadatete and location of the nearest actions for improvement. worworkshop.kshop. He also directed the use of thee ““AreAre We Making Progress AAlthoughlthough data from ffuture AWMPAL surveys, as Leaders?”(AWMPAL) surveyrvey tool to get input from aalonglong witwithh ““dashboarddashboard ddata” provided to units in district and division leaders.rs. TThehe AAWMPALWMPAL survey measurement charts will certainly help fl otillas and is used by many organizationsons to measure workforce divisions to achieve eff ecectiveness,t the Seventh District perception of criteria impactingacting the organization’s AAuxiliaryuxiliary hhasas a llongong wawayy ttoo go to achieve a sustainable, performance. Those criteriateria incincludelude lleadership,eadership high level of leadership practices. Like the active duty strategic planning, customer focus, measurement, Coast Guard, our district’s objective is to ensure our analysis, knowledge management, workforce focus, sustained dedication to performance excellence in all operations focus, and results achieved. The Coast our mission activities. So stay tuned; you will hear Guard uses the AWMPAL survey to ensure its resources lots more about these matt ers in the months and years are aligned correctly; to improve communication, ahead. At the least, you will hear more about them productivity and eff ectiveness; to achieve strategic until we can say without hesitation, “Our district is goals and to determine the winning units for the really making progress.” Alexander Hamilton Award. Like the Seventh District Auxiliary Commodore’s Cup, the Hamilton Award Semper Paratus Ω recognizes the best performing Coast Guard units. The tabulation of data from the district’s AWMPAL survey confi rmed the Executive Committ ee’s earlier assessment that District Seven was in danger of “standing still.” It also highlighted areas that require urgent att ention, including training unit leaders in action planning skills, and greater use of measurement 4 U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary District 7 Breeze

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

I’d like to spend Director of Auxiliary. A strong legal background, with a few minutes the ability to understand fully the legislative process updating you on and language will be a requirement for the position. some of the signifi cant This action should insure that the Auxiliary knows the accomplishments that direction of boating safety legislation being considered came out of N-Train by all states and that this information gets to the this year. Although appropriate Active Duty leadership. St. Louis in January isn’t exactly what State Liaison Offi cers (SLO) will now focus on the I’d consider a prime Boating Law Administrators (BLA) of each state. When venue for any event, it was sunny and 40 degrees on anyone asks me what is the expectation for the State Monday morning. That inspired my fellow Deputy Liaison Offi cer position, I respond that the SLOs best National Commodore from the Pacifi c area, COMO friend should be their state’s BLA. The BLA is the one Marie Scholle, to take advantage of the perceived “heat responsible for implementing a state’s boating safety wave” by sitt ing outside, soaking up the warm noon laws and programs. These administrators are clearly sun in a short sleeve top and light slacks. Of course, vital to the success of our RBS activities. We can not COMO Scholle is from Fairbanks, Alaska, where it was aff ord to have anything other than a dedicated and -35 degrees when she left for St. Louis. The teasing was focused partnership eff ort with the BLAs if we intend endless! to save lives. Regardless of the weather, the Recreational Boating An additional benefi t of this new direction is to improve Safety Board can look back on a couple of signifi cant our partnerships with each Coast Guard District’s accomplishments. First, the National Board voted to “Boating Safety Specialists” (BSS). Each CG District has approve a new Program Visitor Ribbon (PV) for our only one BSS, who is also responsible for working with members who participate in that program. The present the District’s BLAs. We can help these BSSs in their ribbon for a PV member consists of a Vessel Examiner eff orts. As a case in point, District Eight includes twenty (VE) ribbon with a gold star att ached. The original belief fi ve (25) states in its Area of Responsibility (AOR) — was that one must fi rst be a VE to become qualifi ed as an area in the center of the county that extends from a PV, which is simply not the case. In fact, a PV must the Gulf of Mexico to the Canadian border. Although understand all of our Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) vacant for several months, the BSS position was just programs and activities to eff ectively guide Marine fi lled this week, and our SLOs will signifi cantly help Dealers in delivering the right boating safety messages the new BSS as he develops his working relationships to the boating public. Creating a new “identity” for with the BLAs. In this case, we can “bring the Coast the PV program should encourage more members to Guard” to the BLAs. participate in this critical part of our overall RBS eff ort. By developing eff ective relationships with the Coast How about you? Guard and the states and working together as a team, Secondly, the Board voted to separate State Liaison and we should be able to have the best possible Recreational Legislative Liaison offi cers into two distinct groups. Boating Safety activities. The Legislative Liaison people will focus completely From even this one example, I hope you can see the on what is happening in State Legislatures related to importance of what we are doing and the advantage boating safety and will pass that information both up of even seemingly minor changes. We absolutely through their Parallel Staffi ng Chain and directly to must look for every way possible to achieve Mission the District Commodores and State Liaison offi cers. Excellence in our primary mission – bett er Recreational The Parallel Staffi ng chain will now work through Boating Safety. Would you like to help?? the Department of the Chief Counsel and his team. Selection for the legislative position will be made by Semper Paratus Ω the Chief Counsel, the District Commodore and the Volume LVIII Issue 1 Spring 2012 5 Around District 7

FORT MYERS, Fla.─89 year old Dorothy Kurtz, one of the fi rst 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 Offi cer-Public Aff airs, D7

TTAMPPA, Flaa.— The Boonny Sea is eed off at tht e ddock in fronnt of Secttoor St. PeP terssbuburg’s Preevev n on DDepaartment in Tamppa on Jann. 288 duuring the GGaspara illa Pirirate Invaasioon. Onn the Boonny Sea are RRaymond PPaayysour, coxswwain, Harrryry Kama beris ana d DDick Petruccci, trainees; annd creewmwmeme beb rs Williiama BBecke and BBrraaxton Ezzell, all frrom Flolla 81, andd Tom Joohnson aand Fred Kermmodee from FlFlo lla 85. NNext to the Bonnnie Seae is Miisss Maarla froom FlF o llaa 72, the Auxiliary Patrool Coommaand vesessesel foor ththe evvent wwith coxswwain Rick Short andn creewmw eme beb rs Naathanniel Hall froom Flolla 72, andd Clil ff oro d MMarn annd Tim Teahan from Flo llaa 79.9 A Coaastst Guau rdd Reesps onsse Boat is ed off beb sisidede theh m.m Phhototo by Fred KKermode. Bacackggroounu d iimagge byby Geeorrge Pappabeiss, Flo lla 74 6 U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary District 7 Breeze District Captain North Robert Weskerna, DCAPT-North

LOOKING BACK LOOKING AHEAD By this time, we’ve all About six years ago, Philip Merrill, who then served as fi nished our Change Prevention Chief, arranged a workshop for a number of Watch season. As of us at a District Conference. The Coast Guard sent we look forward to an instructor to teach us the Franklin Covey Seven new initiatives and the Habits for Managers; concepts like “Begin with the End excitement that comes in Mind,” and so forth. This pencil isn’t as sharp as with the calendar rolling it used to be, but I recall three catchy quotations for over, let me take a managers (from about a thousand) that came out of moment to congratulate that experience. These three actually mean more to me all divisions on their now that I’ve been in this job and several others since successes in 2011. In that workshop. Here is what I recall: particular, the northern Divisions, 2, 4, 10, 12, 14, and 17, enjoyed a terrifi c and 1. Trivial matt ers take up more time because we know more district-leading 2011, with an overall performance increase about them than important matt ers. How true this is! of 9 percent over their 2010 record. Of the six Sectors in D7, 2. If you are good, you will be assigned all the work. If you that’s Sectors Charleston, Jacksonville, Key West, Miami, are really good, then you will get out of it. I’m thinking St. Petersburg, and San Juan, the three divisions that serve of the defi nition of leadership…infl uencing others to Sector Charleston had the greatest increase in service hours accomplish goals. over 2010. Congratulations to the members of Divisions 2, 10, and 12 for this effort. Of course, Thoreau said that “It’s 3. You get what you measure for. ‘Turns out number three not enough to be busy. The question is, what are we busy is the biggie, and starting this spring, you’ll have cause about?” Considering what the records show, each of you to give some thought to this concept. should feel proud of your contribution to District 7 in 2011. The numbers were very close. By the time you read this, many of you will have experienced either Flotilla Leadership Training Just a little photo recognition before I take a look ahead. On version 2012 or have had a presentation by your local December 17, 2011, Division 14 held their Change of Watch District Captain (north, west, or east) on the Malcolm dinner. Baldrige analysis and measurement of organizational

Continued on page 7

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.—The Division 14 Change of Watch. From le : CDR Stephen Love, Commanding Offi cer, 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 Issue 1 Spring 2012 7 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 Offi cer- Member Training, and his very able assistant, Dan McIntyre, Assistant District Staff Offi cer- Member Training, both experts on the Malcolm Baldrige (MB) Criteria for Performance Excellence, have put together a show that you should fi nd 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 att empt 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 bett er.” 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 8 U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary District 7 Breeze District Captain West Melving Manning, DCAPT-West

Team West commenced and divisions’ main goals for the year and Auxiliary 2012 with three new preparation for the Republican National Convention, division commanders: as well as issues common to all the divisions. Mike Shea, Division 7 Commander; Paulett e The initial presentation of the Commandant’s Parent, Division 8 Performance Excellence Criteria, also known as the Commander; and Dave Baldrige Award and Hamilton Award, was reviewed Crockwell, Division at the meeting and will be presented at all divisions 9 Commander. They, early in the year. This program is designed to provide along with Craig a systematic way to improve management practices at Elliot, Division 15 all unit levels. Commander, and Jim The last weekend of January provided beautiful Ryder, Division 11 weather for several events in the West that, in essence, Commander, make up the outstanding elected bridge defi ne our Auxiliary. First the Propeller Club of the of the Gulf Coast of Florida. The District Captain and Port of Tampa sponsored a Salute to the Coast Guard. the Division Commanders, with their Division Vice Several Auxiliarists, representing three divisions, Commanders, the Auxiliary Sector Coordinator and att ended the presentation of awards ceremony, which the Auxiliary Liaison Offi cers att ended the fi rst 2012 included an inspiring keynote speech by Vice Admiral District Captain/Division Commander meeting at Robert Parker, Commander Atlantic East/Commander, Sector St. Petersburg in early January. The Commander Defense Force East. of Sector St. Petersburg, CAPT Sheryl Dickinson, joined the meeting to give her perspective on both Sector Shortly thereafter, on January 27, Admiral Robert Papp, programs and Auxiliary participation. Several focus Commandant, United States Coast Guard, formally topics were discussed, including the west region’s 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 offi cers a end the fi nal 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. Volume LVIII Issue 1 Spring 2012 9

Continued from page 8 City at a ceremony held in downtown Clearwater. provided “booty” of beads to throngs of revelers along Clearwater is one of only twelve Coast Guard Cities the parade route. Division 7 was the primary Auxiliary nationwide, and the only one in Florida. It’s also the support unit. fi rst city so designated by Admiral Papp since he was appointed Commandant. Hundreds att ended the event On a more somber note, also on January 28, the 32nd at an outside pavilion, including civilians, veterans, Annual Service of Remembrance of the loss of 23 Coast and Coast Guard, including Auxiliarists. Along with Guardsmen’s lives in Tampa Bay on January 28, 1980, Admiral Papp, Mayor Frank Hibbard and numerous took place. The sinking of the United States Coast federal, state and local offi cials, as well as Coast Guard Cutt er Blackthorn and att endant loss of life was Guard dignitaries, participated in the event. The Coast the greatest peacetime casualty in Coast Guard history. Guard City designation is authorized by Congress Several Auxiliarists from throughout the west coast to recognize the outstanding support a community of Florida att ended the Memorial Service, along with provides to Coast Guard personnel and their families. members of the Coast Guard, family members, and The Coast Guard Band Brass Quintet, the Coast Guard guests, at the Blackthorn Memorial Park at the north Honor Guard and the Coast Guard Silent Drill team end of the Skyway Bridge. Vice Admiral Robert Parker made the event exceptional. delivered the memorial address during the service, which included a fl y over by a C-130 and two MH-60s, January 28 witnessed the Gasparilla invasion of the a three-gun salute by the Coast Guard Honor Guard, city of Tampa. Several Auxiliary facilities, with crews and music by the Coast Guard Band Brass Quintet. from Divisions 7, 8 and 11, supported the Coast Guard units that escorted the Jose´ Gaspar pirate ship Looking ahead, the west region is expecting an across Hillsborough Bay and up Seddon Channel to exceptionally busy and challenging year. Among our downtown Tampa. Hundreds of boats and thousands primary challenges will be the Republican National of people also participated in the annual event. Convention, taking place in Tampa in August, which On land, after the “invasion,” a multi-fl oat parade 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 Aff airs Offi cer, Air Sta on Clearwater 10 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 offi cers are participating in the District Leadership Training. As I visit the diff erent 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 fl otillas and divisions. Change and progress have become the norm. All divisions have been oriented to Organizationala i atio al PePerformance 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 Angel Benero, Commander Division 1 Puerto Rico provides a safety performance measures work. I think we will be zone for a Coast Guard search and rescue demonstra on at the amazed at the improvement in our collective 2012 Expo-Nau ca Boat Show at the Ponce Yacht and Fishing Club in performance at the end of 2012 now that we are Ponce, Puerto Rico. Photos by Jose F. Toro, member of the Division 1 focused, know where we are going, how we are Public Aff airs team. going to get there, and can see our progress as we to their responsibilities. Division 13 holds training go. sessions before or after their division meetings, with In most divisions, not only are members availing some conducted by the active duty Coast Guard. All themselves of the Leadership Training conducted by are eff ective in keeping current with changes and our district leaders, but they are adding additional increasing our knowledge base. training that divisions themselves have identifi ed as We just fi nished the boat parade season with Auxiliary areas where we can improve. Division 5 held a day- facilities providing directions and security for these long training session in December to prepare all 2012 events. St. Croix provided support for an Around the elected leaders for the year ahead. Division 3 has Island sailboat regatt a which lasted two days. Now several diff erent modules of training at every division we are into the season for boat shows. Division 5 meeting for att endees to choose the ones most relevant Continued on page 11 Volume LVIII Issue 1 Spring 2012 11

Continued from page 10 thrust underway to train more Assistant Pollution participated in the three-day Stuart Boat Show with Investigators, and a creative program to retrieve a a static display. Division 6 is preparing to teach part of lobster trap known as the “funnel” from the abbreviated About Boating Safely and Suddenly in ocean fl oor (thus reducing the debris) and recycling Command programs at the Miami International Boat them has been initiated. Puerto Rico fl otilla members Show, in addition to staffi ng a booth for fi ve days. support the Harbor Safety Committ ee, along with the active duty Coast Guard. This committ ee is dedicated The marine environment is also gett ing more att ention to the safety, security, mobility, and environmental these days. In the Keys, Auxiliarists have adopted protection of the community. Ω a section of the main highway to ensure that trash is picked up four times a year. There is a major

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 fl eet 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 conversaconversa on tthreehhree yyearsears aagogo bbetweenettween DDougoug AArArmstrong,msttrong FFlollo llllaa ViVicece CCommanderommandder 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 off er, 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 att itude of representing the Coast the Navy and the Coast Guard. Guard Team can lead to opportunities that were previously unknown – in this case the U.S. Navy Finally, CDR Kalal and his crew arrived in St. Croix off ering to help. By fi nding the right resources in to make the delivery. They were met by Lee Elvins the Auxiliary to guide the process, what started and his greeting party, and CDR Kalal stayed at as a conversation turned into an $80,000 asset Armstrong’s home for the weekend. Once the boat transfer, a great public relations moment, and reached St. Croix, Elvins was responsible for the paper recognition for those involved.Ω work, lett ers of thanks, and the many hours working with Sector Borinquen to make this transfer happen from the Coast Guard to the Coast Guard Auxiliary. 12 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 Offi cer-Publica ons, guest author

“Newslett ers are outdated and a thing of the past.” district, divisions, or fl otillas. “Newslett ers are obsolete.” “The future of news is webpages and blogs.” “We should do away with newslett ers altogether.” News can be found online in many forums, including posting articles in news sections within the Auxiliary’s Most of us have heard WOW II pages, posting statements like these. news on Facebook and Are newslett ers obsolete? other blog sites; creating While the Auxiliary has a free Wiki page — the moved from printed to possibilities are endless. electronically distributed The most recent focus in the newslett ers in PDF Auxiliary is to encourage (portable document the use of Facebook and format) form, others Twitt er. The appeal in this is do not think that this the immediacy of relaying brings newslett ers far information. enough into the age of digital media. The PDFs There are drawbacks to this, resemble the printed particularly as a method newslett ers in layout and of delivering news and content. information to our members. You must fi rst “Friend” or Within the Auxiliary, “Like” a Facebook page in the Public Aff airs. or order to receive its content. ‘A’ Department, has The same is true of Twitt er; forayed furthest into the a member must “Follow” world of digital media in order to receive alerts. with ‘publications’ (used Other drawbacks: loosely here) such as “SITREP”, “Navigator • Once you “Friend” Express” and “Coast your fl otilla or division, the Guard Auxiliary Live: updates posted compete Offi cial Blog of the U.S. with the stream of updates Coast Guard Auxiliary”. posted by other real and Additionally, the A virtual “Friends”. News Department has created both Twitt er and Facebook items can easily get buried accounts. Thousands of Auxiliary members are on beneath your sister shrieking because she received Facebook and many individual Auxiliary units have a bad haircut, Facebook game requests, comments Facebook pages. Many also have Twitt er accounts. on last night’s ball game, and news from other parts of the country that, again, lack local relevance. Do these digital media sites do a bett er job of delivering news and information to Auxiliary members? The last • Auxiliary Facebook pages and Twitt er accounts are ‘tweet’ on Twitt er on Jan. 27 (when this article was not presently monitored for content. Members can writt en) linked members to the lead story on “Auxiliary post inappropriate or inaccurate content. Live”, “Cold Water Survival – The 1-10-1 Rule”, a great • John Q. Public is unlikely to learn about the article about how to survive accidental immersion Auxiliary or our Recreational Boating Safety in icy cold waters. The previous ‘tweet” linked to an programs on Facebook because comments are only article on the District 1SR (New York) Facebook page, linked to those who “Like” or “Friend” us. “Coast Guard Auxiliary Chefs Prepare the Banquet”. While both are newsworthy articles, they are not local • Many members avoid Facebook links because they and have litt le to do with the members within our Continued on page 13 Volume LVIII Issue 1 Spring 2012 13

do not wish to inadvertently download games and att ention. applications built into many confi rmations and requests. • Months between publication dates can reduce the relevance and worth of the articles published. • Many of our members do not have Facebook and Newslett ers published infrequently lack all Twitt er accounts and don’t want one. claims to immediacy and contribute strongly to the argument that newslett ers are obsolete. • News and information is fragmented. One must follow links to various sites to read posts and The advantages and disadvantages of both web news articles. and PDF-based newslett ers are numerous, even without gett ing into related areas, such as software Pages like Facebook and Twitt er may be the wave of the requirements and costs, electronic reading devices, etc. future; but this is now, and who knows what the future holds? Remember “Myspace”? Once the leading social News via Facebook and Twitt er? For fl otilla and media/blog site, Myspace was the rage until Facebook division news, it may be the future, but we are not completely supplanted it. We cannot begin to guess there yet. That does not relieve Publications offi cers what will eventually replace Facebook, but given the from learning, improving and publishing interesting, dynamic history of the Internet, eventually something relevant newslett ers today. It also behooves us to learn will. more about digital media, including social media pages and blogs. Test the waters; publish occasional articles Currently, most members have computers, but, make of interest or schedules of upcoming Recreational no mistake, we still have a large number of members Boating Safety events on your fl otilla’s Facebook or without computers or email addresses. Our members’ other social media page. Ω computer profi ciencies 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 fi les. That is advantageous for Auxiliary newslett ers, most of which are now published and distributed as PDF fi les. A few are released as Word fi les, but, both are delivered right into the members’ e-mailbox. There are other advantages to newslett ers 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 newslett ers 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 surfi ng the web to stay abreast of your unit’s activities! • Newslett ers acknowledge the members’ eff orts and provide historical records. Oops! Because newslett ers are edited and laid out by volunteer members, most of whom have no writing, The cap on for the cover image our 2011 editing, graphic design, or publishing experience, the Fall issue was so completely wrong that we negatives are as real as the positives: must correct it. The member pictured on the cover is Reynaldo (Rey) Rivera-Rosado • Newslett ers are often edited and published by aboard the Auxiliary facility Kamstar1 owned members who use poor grammar and/or do not by Ken Morningstar. The photographer is adhere to Auxiliary guidelines as outlined in the John Sanchez. All are members of Flo lla 74 Publication Offi cer’s Guide and Auxiliary Manual. Brandon, Fla. • Newslett ers can be so poorly designed that they may be diffi cult to read or fail to hold the reader’s 14 U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary District 7 Breeze 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.—The fi rst two weeks of zones. The regatt a was completed successfully with January saw approximately 100 sailors from 13 countries no mishaps. and many of the sailors will be competing come to compete in the International Association in the Paralympic Games to be held off the coast of for Disabled Sailing 2012 World Championship in Weymouth, England later this summer. Charlott e Harbor. The actual racing took place between Jan. 7-15, 2012, and 35 members from two fl otillas Continued on page 15 (Flotilla 98 and 99) participated by providing safety Regatt a 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. Volume LVIII Issue 1 Spring 2012 15

Continued from page 14 down, races a sloop called Positive. He has been racing The 28 members from Flotilla 98, together with seven since 2008 and has already earned second place in the members from Flotilla 99 logged 405 man-hours 2011 North American Challenge Cup, and third place assisting this event. Impressed with the sailor’s skills in the 2011 U.S. Disabled Sailing Championships. and determination, the members got to know some of Given the sailors’ courage, it is no wonder that so them, and Larry Keller (Flotilla 98) appeared to have a many members were willing to dedicate so much time favorite, contestant Joseph (Jody) Hill from Seabrook, to this race Ω 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 16 U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary District 7 Breeze District Directorate Chief-Prevention David M. Fuller, DDC-P Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) is at the very heart In order to accomplish our goals, we must work of what we do for our nation, our states and territories, together as a team. No individual can do it alone. Just and our local communities. It is our primary mission ask Eli Manning of the New York Giants. While he is and the reason for our existence as an organization. undoubtedly a great quarterback and leader, his team won the Super Bowl. The same concept applies to the When you fi rst became a member of the Auxiliary, Auxiliary. you probably joined because you wanted to make a diff erence. We all have various interests that infl uence Each of our areas of responsibility requires interaction what specifi c 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 make a diff erence. member should be a recruiter and help spread the 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 eff orts 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 Offi cers Vessel Safety Check, report a missing or damaged and the leadership of your fl otilla. Aid to Navigation, visit our partners and give them information and literature, facilitate Member Training, You can make a dramatic and lasting diff erence 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 Offi cers also have a direct impact, working that you have made a diff erence, so go get that feeling! behind the scenes and out of the headlines. It is the real reason you joined the Auxiliary. Ω Once you have the initial training to earn one of these qualifi cations, you have the tools necessary to begin to make a diff erence. 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 eff ort to att end annual workshops when they are off ered. They will help to keep you up to date and even sharpen your skill set. One key diff erence 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 eff ec 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 become a professional. to improve recrea onal boa ng safety by iden fying and addressing the areas of greatest need to recrea onal boaters. Photo provided by John and Helen Russe e Volume LVIII Issue 1 Spring 2012 17 Think Green: Coast Guard’s 2011 Innova on Expo Flo lla 14-5 proves that eff ec ve innova ons can be simple! By Helen Russe e TAMPA, Fla.—Think Green was the theme of the A Portable Multi-Modal Communications System Coast Guard‘s 2011 Innovation Expo held October (PMMCS), informally called radio-in-a-box, was crafted 25-27 in Tampa, Florida. USCG, USCG Auxiliary, and and demonstrated by John Russett e and Willem industry exhibitors showcased practices, initiatives Loupatt y of Flotilla 14-5. The box is an inexpensive and products to reduce carbon footprints by decreasing ice chest equipped with power converter and antenna energy needs or dependence on carbon emitt ing fuels. tuner, and the radio is a multi-modal device, consisting As Auxiliarists, that means using minimal resources to of a digital marine and a 2-meter VHF radio. Once do things bett er and more effi ciently. About eighty mounted on its platform – a sprinkler stand from the total exhibits were on display, with a dozen coming local hardware store – the (home-made) external, from the Auxiliary, nationwide. Of those twelve, tunable antenna extends to a height of 26 feet, giving an impressive 25% (three innovations) hailed from the operator access to the nationwide emergency VHF District 7, Division 14. repeater network. The apparatus is designed to expand the scope of telecommunications operators (AUX David Cawton and Walt Reppenhagen of Flotilla14-4 TCOs) during emergency conditions by giving them presented NAMS, Navigational Aids Management multi-modal access to the nationwide VHF emergency System. With assistance from fellow Auxiliarists radio network that links public safety agencies. Elaine Cornell and Chuck Farmer, they developed a computerized tool to manage Aids to Navigation Applying Vessel Safety Check data to yield Boating (ATONS) and Private Aids to Navigation (PATONS) Safety Tactical Information was the third proposal, within the Area of Responsibility of the Aids to originated by John Russett e and Helen Russett e of Navigation Team at Tybee Island, Georgia. The Flotilla 14-5. Both the source (Vessel Safety Check system facilitates identifi cation and documentation of data), and the instrument for compilation and analysis deviations, and submits Aids to Navigation Reports (computer software) are readily available, so no (Form 7054) in real time. It is time-saving, practical additional material resources are needed to implement and highly accurate. the program. Outcomes include: 1.) Identifi cation of recreational boater behaviors and vessel ddefi ciencies to help Public Education programs ffocuso on areas of highest non-compliance and rrisk,i and 2.) Report generation to support aannual follow up in the Vessel Safety Check pprogram. The ultimate goal is to improve rrecreationale boating safety by identifying aand addressing the areas of greatest need to rrecreationale boaters. TThe 2011 Coast Guard Innovation Expo pprovided an opportunity for Auxiliarists ttoo demonstrate their creativity and rresourcefulnesse and gain immediate feedback oon new ideas. Considerable att ention and ininterest came from members of the USCG, other AAuxiliarists, and even industry professionals. TThis is an annual event, so if you have a good ididea that might off er widespread benefi ts, cconsider participating in next year’s Coast GGuard Innovation Expo.Ω

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 18 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 NEW YORK HARBOR--The author, Jerry Janaro, and his son, LT Jeff Janaro, Opera ons Offi cer Offi cer, Coast Guard Cu er Eagle, celebrate as the ship enters New York Harbor in August, Coast Guard training vessel 2011. Photo by 1st Class Nyxolyno Cangemi, Public Aff airs Offi cer, United States Coast Guard. for all academy cadets and many Offi cer Candidate Next page: Statue of Liberty raises high the torch of promise behind the rigging of the Coast School trainees since. Guard Cu er Eagle. Photo by Jerry Janaro I was fortunate to be invited Once I was indoctrinated to life aboard and informed aboard Eagle by my son, LT Jeff Janaro, Operations about on board traditions, I got very comfortable in my Offi cer and Navigator, for a one week training cruise surroundings. Life in the wardroom, where the offi cers between New Bedford, Mass., and New York City. Jeff eat and have meetings, is a very special place on Eagle. was the Flotilla 34 Coast Guard Academy Introduction The room is fi lled with museum quality artifacts and Mission candidate in 1999 and att ended the academy from pictures of its early life, as well as gifts from the many 2000 to 2004. To this day, he asks how fl otilla 34 is doing. countries it has visited around the world. Meals were Spending time at sea aboard Eagle was a wonderful delicious and plentiful, with good conversation led by experience. Being able to observe ship operations the Captain, Executive Offi cer, and Operations Offi cer. from my unique perspective as the father of the “OPS On our fi fth day at sea, Eagle sailed within two BOSS” (operational boat outfi t and systems support) miles of the Long Island coast and picked up Janet was extra special. I was invited to att end all navigation Napolitano, Secretary of the Department of Homeland briefs, classes and training sessions for cadets, climb the Security. She and her entourage of six staff members rigging (which I respectfully declined) and generally and six Secret Service detail spent the next two days had no restrictions anywhere on board. As a training on board. The Secretary had never before been aboard vessel, Eagle and her crew reinforce to cadets many of Eagle and was visibly impressed by the majesty the classroom lessons taught during the academic year of the vessel and the professionalism of her crew. at the academy. I was impressed by the rapport between the crew and the fourth class cadets, as these future From the moment that she came aboard, Secretary offi cers learned lessons of the sea from well qualifi ed Napolitano actively engaged in asking questions and enlisted men and women. After a very tough swab talking to offi cers and crew alike. The Secretary’s summer, the fourth class cadets were very happy to be senior aide said to me, “The Coast Guard really hit a aboard and to actually begin their nautical education. home run with this.” They all have four very diffi cult years ahead of them. Continued on page 18 VolumeVolVoolumeumee LVIIILVLVIIIIIIIII I Issuessussss e 1 S Springpripr ng 2012012012 1919

Continued from page18

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 fi nally 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 fi reboat 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 Aff airs Offi cer, United States Coast Guard. 20 U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary District 7 Breeze

By Constance O. Irvin, District Staff Offi cer-Public Aff airs, D7

T he placing of poinsett ia-adorned wreaths on the off Sanibel Island and it was a resounding, “Yes.” graves of thousands of fallen service men and women at Arlington National Cemetery fi rst caught the att ention The fi rst service at sea in 2009 involved 19 boats and of the media and the public when a photo of those about 40 participants. Local law enforcement vessels, wreaths, covered with snow, appeared on the Internet. Auxiliary vessels and a Coast Guard 33-foot Special That photo appeared in 2005, but the project really Purpose Craft-Law Enforcement boat made their started in 1992 when a small company in Maine, the way from the Cape Coral Veterans’ Bridge, down the Worcester Wreath Company, donated 5,000 wreaths Caloosahatchee and out into the turquoise waters, to Arlington for placement on Veterans’ graves. It just three miles off shore from the Sanibel lighthouse. was a gesture that eventually caught the imagination Nancy placed seven wreaths — representing the fi ve of thousands of military branches, one for prisoners of war and those volunteers who missingm in action wanted to place (POW-MIA),(P and the wreaths in cemeteries MerchantM Marines — all across the United intoin the water while States and in foreign a bagpiper played countries; anywhere “Amazing“A Grace,” American Veterans followedfo by a bugler were laid to rest. soundings “Taps.” Eventually, Congress NewspaperN accounts designated December ofo the event resulted as the month to in WAA declaring recognize Veterans RainbowR Memorials with “Wreaths ata Sea, the fi rst fl oating Across America.” WAAW ceremony. Many of our Coast In 2010, the event took Guard Team members anothera turn with are involved in theth involvement of Wreaths Across America (WAA), but Pat McCarn, a ConnieC Irvin, Division member of Flotilla 9-10 Ft. Myers/ Cape Coral Fla., 9, Staff Offi cer-Public Aff airs. She made contact with has the distinction of having established the fi rst the LTJG Michael Mastrianni, Commanding Offi cer of “fl oating” location for a WAA ceremony on water. the Coast Guard Cutt er Marlin, moored at Station Fort Myers Beach, and asked if they could involve the Marlin McCarn and his wife, Nancy, have a boat charter and have some local dignitaries aboard for inclusion business, Rainbow Memorials at Sea. They provide a in the ceremony. One special guest aboard was 89 service, scatt ering ashes at sea. That business led them year old Dorothy Kurtz from North Port, who served to the Auxiliary and to the WAA ceremony in 2009. In as a Coast Guard SPAR from 1943-1946. Mastrianni November of that year, they arranged a Veterans Day not only secured the vessel for the ceremony, but tribute at sea with local marine law enforcement and also had a special Marlin cap embroidered with asked Flotilla 9-10 to escort the vessels. Unfortunately, Dorothy Kurtz ’s name, which he gave to her as Tropical Storm Ida forced the cancelation of that event. she prepared to board the boat. Newspaper and television media, as well as the young crewmembers A phone call to the offi ces of WAA confi rmed that of the Marlin, were fascinated with Dorothy’s stories there were no ceremonies held at sea. McCarn and his about being one of the fi rst Coast Guard SPARS and wife decided to change that and turned their eff orts smiled when she told them how delighted she was toward the WAA event in December. McCarn also with “being paid $21.00 a month for her service.” made the decision to join the Auxiliary because of the courtesy and professionalism Auxiliary members The 2010 event almost didn’t happen. Fog rolled in showed when helping to set up November’s cancelled off the Gulf and, for a time, it was doubtful that the ceremony. He asked the fl otilla if they would help ceremony would occur. The Marlin made its way with the WAA ceremony in the Gulf of Mexico just Continued on page21 Volume LVIII Issue 1 Spring 2012 21

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 Offi cer-Public Aff airs D7

Continued from page20 cautiously out to the designated site and lay anchor. 2011’s Tribute at Sea again involved the Marlin and, this Dorothy Kurtz hung on the rail, eyes searching for time, an honor guard and a group of bagpipers crowded the approaching vessels which would be part of the the rails to watch the noon-time ceremony. Members Tribute at Sea. Suddenly the fog lifted, and a guest of a local VFW stood on the deck, waiting for the signal aboard the Marlin remarked, “Look at that. It’s like to perform a 21 gun salute. Close to 30 vessels carrying something out of a movie!” Over 30 vessels carrying veterans, law enforcement, Coast Guard and Coast over 140 participants appeared out of the fog and into Guard Auxiliary members, handicapped veterans, and the brilliant Florida sunlight. Coast Guard Auxiliary Sea Scouts, circled as the seven wreaths were placed in facilities from Flotilla 9-10 led the way, followed the Gulf in remembrance of those who gave their lives by vessels from Homeland Security, the Sheriff ’s on the high seas to protect and honor their country. Department, local police, Florida Fish and Wildlife, Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and various other agencies. The small gesture of laying 5,000 wreaths at Arlington in 1992 continues to grow. In 2011, over 100,000 wreaths The ceremony began at noon with a minute of silence were laid by volunteers on grave sites all across our to remember the fallen. Following opening remarks by nation and in over thirty foreign countries. But for retired Army Colonel Chaplain Larry Agers, Nancy Pat and Nancy McCarn, “the Coast Guard Auxiliary McCarn scatt ered the ashes of Dennis C. Sander, involvement has aided in helping us continue to honor a fallen veteran who had stood watch at President those who lost their lives at sea during military confl icts. John F. Kennedy’s casket in Washington and acted We are honored to be the fi rst Floating ceremony.” as a pallbearer for General Douglas MacArthur at his funeral. The laying of the seven wreaths followed The message of Wreaths Across America is the burial at sea for Sander, with the bagpipes simple: Remember, Honor and Teach. As Wreaths playing, and concluded with Taps resounding Across America goes to sea, it does just that. Ω across the water. On board the Marlin, CG SPAR Dorothy Kurtz was overwhelmed with emotion. 22 U. S. Coast GuGuardard AuAuxiliaryxilia District 7 Breeze

would not have been ann unusualunuusuall sight,sigghht, excepteexcept for the pairs of shoes that weree nnailedailed to tthehee bbuoy.uooy. Apparently, it is a rite ofof passagepasss age for CitadelCitaaded l cadetsca to swim from the Citadel shorshshorelineo eeline to thethe buoy,buoy, leave a pair of shoes, and swimm baback.ckk. It iiss nonotot a casualcasua swim. However, the high-heeleel shoesshoes tacked to ttheh buoy are clear evidence of theh lladies’di ’ presenceresence iinn 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 Burchfi eld, 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. Gett ing underway at River’s Edge Marina, on the Ashley River, was almost magical this winter morning November 20, 2011, as coxswain Festus Burchfi eld and crew Barbara A derelict jon-boat is ed to Buoy 6A in the Ashley River. Pairs Burchfi eld, Ann Graham and Tommy Timberlake of shoes are nailed to the buoy, reportedly by South Carolina prepared for the day’s safety patrol and training Citadel Cadets who swim from the Citadel shoreline to the aboard “Voyager.” At slack tide, the river was calm buoy and back. and the sun was already warming up past the point of Personal Protective Equipment (jacket) use. What is orange and makes you look up? Rotating duty positions of stern watch, bow watch, radio watch and time at the helm gave each person A now familiar sight, our Coast Guard aviator friends the opportunity to sharpen their skills and maintain fl y directly over us. We wave hello. Coast Guard Air profi ciency. Operational facility “Voyager” has a Station Savannah patrols the South Carolina coastline new Garmin GPS, which was used for training and and provides search and rescue missions with HH-65 familiarization in the use of man overboard, waypoints, Dolphin helicopters. 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 Volume LVIII Issue 1 Spring 2012 23

We were still on the Ashley River, keeping a sharp college.cgauxnet.us/program/training, is a good place lookout for anything unusual. On this beautiful, to start learning about the eff ects of pollution on marine calm, warm day there were lots of boaters and many environments. fi shermen on the water. Not many life jackets were visible however, upping the odds for danger and Our report to Station Charleston Operations Offi cer of increasing our vigilance. the Day (OOD) included photos sent using Graham’s ‘smart phone.’ It is a distinct advantage to the Coast What is large and fl oats, but can’t and won’t? Guard when they can receive and evaluate photos immediately during an incident or investigation. That would be those unfortunate sailboats that sank last month in a terrible storm and remain sunken near The pollutant did not appear to contain oil or other the channel almost directly across from Coast Guard oily substance, just lots of bubbles adrift in the river. Station Charleston. Station Charleston advised us that the foam was indeed a biodegradable detergent used by a local dredging What is convenient and has ice cream? company to clean the pipes. Station told us that no Our familiarization training of the local area and further action was required, so Voyager departed for facilities included a visit to Cooper River Marina, River’s Edge Marina and wrapped up the day’s patrol. TThe six-hour patrol went by very fast. It was a very interesting and rewarding day oon Auxiliary patrol in the South Carolina ccoastal waters. Auxiliary members ininterested in becoming Boat Crew qualifi ed ccan get started by contacting their Flotilla CCommander or Flotilla Staff Offi cer- MMember Training. You never know what yyou will see!Ω

Le : Cooper River Marina off ers 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 Below: A foamy white substance resembling detergent is holidays), has a well-equipped store, pleasant staff , discharged into the Cooper River from two pipes located at rest rooms, a lounge area, and a covered deck outside. Drum Island. 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 fl oating in the river? Detergent! (Detergent?) We came upon a large fl oating 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 eff ects. 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 htt p:// 24 U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary District 7 Breeze 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 Offi cer–Public Aff airs-East D7 STUART,STUART Fla.—On Fla O a windy i dy November No e be day iin 20112011, straps,st aps got into i to position, positio and a d opeopened ed the cacargo go ramp.ra it took just 19 seconds for the HC-144A Ocean Sentry to get airborne. LTJG Dan Feirman and LTJG The Ocean Sentry circled the airport and surrounding Hans de Groot from Coast Guard Air Station Miami area to gain altitude while the jump team evaluated the guided the medium range aircraft into the partly winds. The airfi eld reported winds at 12 knots, gusting cloudy sky and headed for an altitude of 10,000 feet. to 16; the limit for a safe jump was not more than 17 knots. That day the cargo SGT Kelly Becker prepared to jump fi rst. SGT First Class was light. Onboard GordyG Horvath, was the Coast SSGSS Travis Guard crew, and, Weathers,W and for the fi rst time as SSGSS Jeff rey Inman a commercial venue, wouldw follow a special operations her.he Three large parachute team rollsro of streamers from the U.S. Army. werew tossed out The performance at 2,000 feet to by the Black checkch the winds. Daggers Parachute TheTh team member Demonstration Team maneuvered a few days later aroundar on the would be historic edgeed of the open – not for them, but cargoca ramp to for the Coast Guard. getge the best view Today was practice. forfo watching theth wind’s AMT 3rd Class eff ects on the Stephen Basset and AAMTMT 33rdd CClassl KKareem ell colorfull f l streamers. Cherbini, United States Coast Guard, talked about how signifi cant this day was. It was the fi rst time the SGT Becker rechecked her gear and began to make her Ocean Sentry would serve as a platform for a jump move out to the edge. Becker made history by being the team for an air show. They were excited about the fi rst female chaplain’s assistant to become a member opportunity to be part of it. Also on board were Diane of the Black Dagger’s team. She knelt down, looking Riggan and her husband, Wilson Riggan, Chief of intently focused, and, in a blink of an eye, stood up and Aviation, both members of Flotilla 59 in Stuart. They stepped off the ramp, just as though she were stepping assisted the Coast Guard with the arrangements for off a curb to cross the street. The brilliant red smoke this particular community event and were thrilled to trailing from her boots may have been visible for miles. learn that they would be going along for the practice The team’s jumpmaster focused on communicating run. Bassett gave them the safety briefi ng before with the cockpit crew, however time was gett ing close boarding while waiting for the parachute team. for the others to depart the airplane. They rechecked Soon the fl ight deck checklist was complete, the jump each other’s safety gear as the plane approached 10,000 team was onboard, and the cameras were ready to feet. SSG Inman gave “thumbs up” to the unoffi cial photograph the demonstration team. There would photography team, and the three made their way onto be just one chance to capture this event. Feirman the edge of the ramp. In less than 20 seconds, Horvath and DeGroot received their clearance to taxi from stepped off backwards into thin air, followed by the tower, brought the power up and rolled into Inman and Weathers, and they all spread their arms take off position. After the initial climb out, AMT el to fl y. Each jumper pulled on a thin cord that stretched Cherbini stretched a safety line mid-fuselage, from from their wrist to the canisters on their heels. As they side to side, separating the area for the jump team did so, red smoke streamed out and blazed across from the rest of the cabin. He then att ached his safety Continued on page 25 Volume LVIII Issue 1 Spring 2012 25

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 Page 24: Wilson Riggan, Auxiliary Chief of Avia on, looks out waiting for the opening ceremonies to begin, the jump team the window of the HC-144A Ocean Sentry from Coast Guard fi nished their walk-thru in a grassy area away from the crowd. Sta on Miami during the Coast Guard’s prac ce run with the They then boarded the Ocean Sentry and, within minutes, U.S. Army Black Daggers Parachute Team. the public address announcer drew the crowd’s attention to Above: SGT Kelly Becker, a member of the U.S. Army’s the Coast Guard HC-144A circling above. Black Dagger Parachute Team boards the Coast Guard’s Ocean Sentry before the November prac ce jump. In the Thousands of faces looked skyward, at the gleaming white background is the Ocean Sentry. The cargo ramp is open and and orange Coast Guard airplane as it climbed higher and a jumper is visible just beyond the tail. higher. Cameras caught the cargo ramp opening. and soon one jumper was away, highlighted against the beautiful South maneuvered the plane to perform a low pass fl y-by, in a fi nal Florida sky. With smoke streaming from the jumper’s boots, tribute to Jenkins. The crowd cheered and clapped as the the American fl ag stretched out behind them in the wind, and Ocean Sentry fl ew by. the National Anthem playing over the public address system, the team made for an impressive start. At the close of the air show, the Black Daggers presented the Coast Guard crew with a team photo, nicely mounted, with The announcer told the audience that the Black Daggers the signatures of the entire team. This day would be noted would be presenting the fl ag they had just carried to the in Coast Guard aviation history as the fi rst time the Coast family of one of our nation’s fallen military members. It Guard transported a parachute demonstration team for an air was presented to Mrs. Elizabeth Jenkins, of Stuart, Fla., to show in an HC-144A. It was done with the highest degree of honor her late husband, Navy Second Class Petty Offi cer skill and professionalism.Ω Robert Boyd Jenkins, who was killed in Iraq in May 2004. Meanwhile, in the skies above, the Coast Guard crew 26 U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary District 7 Breeze

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 fl ight 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 fl ight 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 fl ying, the Blue Angels require a fl ight 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 two- mile 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 fl y 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 traffi c around the security zone. The duty was not without its perks, however, as the edge of the security zone was also Auxiliaryxiliiliary supportsupport forfor thethe JacksonvilleJacksonvillille AirshowAiAirshow iincludedncluded the direct fl ight path for the approach of the Blue maintainingintaining safety zones under the Blue AnAngels’gels’ fl ightight path, Angels’ precision maneuvers. It may have been our as wwellell as staffi ngng a ReRecreacrea ononalal BBoaoa nngg Safety booth at the imaginations, but those of us who work on the security show.ow. patrols always feel that the Blue Angels show their appreciation by fl ying over our patrol vessels. Top:p: KKyleyle GeGeorgeoorge aandnd WWhithit ViVickck ffromrom 1414-8-8 aaboardbooara d ththee AuAuxiliaryxix lia Team Coast Guard vessels supporting the show facilityiliittyy CCarlyaarly IIII hehelpedlped mmaintainaintn ain sasafetyafeetyy zzones.oonneess. PhPPhotohototo byy CCrisrir s Vonderheide.nndeerrheeidee. included a 25-foot Response Boat from Station Mayport and Auxiliary facilities from Jacksonville Bo omom:m: (F((FromFrorom llee ) JJohnohohn HaHHadleydlleey 114-8,44-8,8 KKevinevin KKoehloehlh 114-8,4-8, HHSCSCC Flotilla 14-8 and St. Augustine Flotilla 14-7. In addition Thomson,ommsoon,n UUSCG,SCG,G, BBobobb SStrongtrong 1414-8,-8, ETET11 BoBound,und,d UUSCG,SCGG,, iinn frfrontont to supporting the security zone, Team Coast Guard of tthehe RRecreaece rea oonalnanal BoBoaa nngg SaSafetyfety bboothooth aatt ththehe JaJacksonvilleckssonville AAir created a boating safety display at the Air Show. Coast Show.ow. PhPhotootto byby MMarlenearlenee KKoehloehl Guard recruiters and members from Jacksonville 14- 8, Arlington 14-2, St. Augustine 14-7 and Green Cove Springs 14-5 staff ed the display.Ω Volume LVIII Issue 1 Spring 2012 27

thet fi xed-wing aircraft crew located the downed aircraft anda its two passengers in an infl atable raft. Tiger 6 proceededp to the plane crash area and arrived at about the sames time as the Coast Guard Jayhawk helicopter and thet Ocean Sentry aircraft. The Auxiliarists were assured thatt their assistance was not needed and returned back tot their original assigned patrol. The rescue helicopter crewc arrived on scene at 12:58 p.m. and safely hoisted thet two survivors onto the aircraft and transferred them tot Odyssey Airport in Nassau, Bahamas for further transportt to Emergency Medical Services crew for medicalm evaluation. The couple, from Birmingham, Alabama,A were not injured in the crash. ThanksT to the assistance of Robert “Marvin” Dailey and DanielD Ochsenschlager, members of the Auxiliary Air ProgramP (AUXAIR) who relayed the downed aircraft informationi to the District 7 Coast Guard Command WESTSOSS ANDROS ISLAND, Bahamas – OOn January 7, CenterC in Miami, these two lives were saved. Ω 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 Above: The occupants of the downed aircra await rescue in distress call from aircraft Cirrus N273EA reporting an in- the ra . The open chute no doubt aided in loca ng the couple fl ight emergency. The pilot reported losing oil pressure and in a vast sea of blue. engine power on their single engine plane and approximately Below: Robert “Marvin” Dailey and Daniel Ochsenschlager, 2 miles west of Andros Island in the Bahamas. members of the Auxiliary Air Program (AUXAIR) pose next to Tiger 6 Auxiliarists requested the position of the Cirrus Tiger-6. plane, ascertained their problem as well as the number of persons and what type of safety equipment they carried. The The author thanks Auxiliarist J.J. Samuelson, AAC, Air Sta on pilot reported two persons, himself and one passenger, and Miami for his assistance in providing the Incident Report as reported having lifejackets and a raft on board. well as the Tiger-6 crew photo and related informa on. 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 fi xed- wing 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., 28 U.Volume S. Coast LVIII Guard Auxiliary Issue 1 District Spring 7 2012 Breeze 28 Background photo: U.S. Navy Archives

By Dorothy Riley. Photos by Brian Lichtenstein

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.—In the early morning including the playing of Taps, participation by hours of December 7, 1941, 353 Japanese fi ghters, a contingent of the Coast Guard Pipe Band, and bombers, and torpedo planes launched in two a wreath laying in honor of those who did not waves from six aircraft carriers of the Japanese survive that day. LT Paul Turner, Commanding Imperial Navy and att acked Pearl Harbor. This Offi cer, Station Ft. Lauderdale, United States Coast event thrust the United States into World War II. Guard, and Commissioner LaMarca jointly tossed the wreath into the waters of Port Everglades. Pearl Harbor Day commemorates the sacrifi ces of U.S. servicemen killed and wounded during The memory of the att ack on Pearl Harbor should the att ack on Pearl Harbor. As in previous years, not be erased by time. In 1941, war raged on both the Broward Navy Days and the Naval Sea Cadets held European and Asian continents, and despite pleas for a Pearl Harbor Day ceremony hosted by Station Fort military assistance from the Allied Forces, our nation Lauderdale. The 2011 ceremony was special in that avoided direct involvement. While the Axis Powers, it was both the 70th Anniversary of that infamous Germany, Italy, and Japan invaded their neighbors, event and the fi nal year of the Pearl Harbor Survivors the United States, offi cially neutral, provided supplies Association. The number of survivors grows fewer to our European partners. All claims to neutrality every year as its members succumb to age. All are evaporated on December 7, 1941, with the att ack now well over eighty and most over ninety years old. on Pearl Harbor. Days later, Hitler declared war against our nation and we found ourselves engaged Two survivors, John Zurli and Abe Stein, att ended in wars across both the Pacifi c and Atlantic Oceans. the ceremony at Station Fort Lauderdale. Also in att endance were members of the Coast Guard In the att ack on Pearl Harbor alone, all eight U.S. Station Fort Lauderdale and Division 3 Coast Navy batt leships in port were damaged, four of which Guard Auxiliary. Broward County Commissioner were sunk. The Japanese also sank or damaged three Chip LaMarca was the keynote speaker. cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship, and one minelayer. One hundred eighty-eight U.S. The ceremony included several touching tributes Continued on page 29 Volume LVIII Issue 1 Spring 2012 29

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 confl ict in human history. It resulted in fi fty 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 30 U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary District 7 Breeze

FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla.—When Station Fort gaining access to BOSN4 Kerner and Rear Admiral Myers Beach commanding offi cer BOSN4 Jeff ery Baumgartner. After the ceremony, the station’s crew Kerner requested that Connie Irvin, Assistant District and visiting dignitaries were in the mess deck, enjoying Staff Offi cer-Public Aff airs, handle the media for the lunch, while a local television station aired the event. station’s presentation of their third Kimball Award, Normally, that would have ended the aff air, had not Kerner had no idea that Irvin would also work behind Irvin launched her covert plan. his back on a special project. After all, this was a simple request; develop a media strategy to get coverage of On past photo shoots at the station, Irvin was the event and maintain control of the media while bombarded with requests for copies of the photos she they were on site. Rear Admiral William Baumgartner, had taken by station personnel. Irvin knew the Kimball Commander District 7, United States Coast Guard, and ceremony would require hundreds of printed photos Capt. Sheryl Dickinson, to hand out to those who Commander, Sector St. received the award. Her Petersburg United States covert plan was simple: Coast Guard, were to be get a commemorative among the invited guests. booklet printed and Irvin set about handling give each member a the media request, copy. Irvin contacted but she also planned a a local print shop, and, “covert operation” which after learning that they no one at the station could print the booklet knew about. at a reasonable price, she contacted all nine fl otilla So, what is this Kimball commanders in Division Award and why would 9 and asked if they earning three consecutive would chip in to fund the such awards merit project. All agreed and both RADM William even Division 9 chipped Baumgartner and in some funds. She made Sector St. Petersburg’s the commanders promise Commander, Capt. Sheryl Constance Irvin presents BOSN4 Jeff ery Kerner one of the photo they would not let “the Dickinson’s presence at booklets published for the individual members of Sta on Fort cat out of the bag.” 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 named after Sumner 3. Photo provided by Constance Irvin 16. Irvin determined to I. Kimball and was have the booklet ready to 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 unifi ed, 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 putt ing the Coast Myers Beach– and it wasn’t the commanding offi cer! 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 prestigious Kimball Award each year. wringing and lost sleep, Irvin picked up the fi nished 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 Volume LVIII Issue 1 Spring 2012 31

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 fl otillas 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 to this group; he just took control of the reins. Sankpill is our steadfast volunteer corps. Our Auxiliary contacted the two other fl otillas in the Keys needed to Shipmates assist the Coast Guard with performing our provide the safety patrol for the entire length of the many challenging maritime missions, with boating Keys and coordinated their assistance. safety remaining as their core function.” Paddle Florida provided us with the GPS coordinates These words are taken from the U.S. Coast Guard for every stop, including their lunch stops. One day, Auxiliary Policy Statement. However, we often overlook we even delivered their lunch to a remote location and paddle craft (kayaks) as part of that safeguarding. then returned to base with the coordinator and their trash. Back in September, I was contacted by Bill Richards, of Paddle Florida, regarding their yearly “Paddle Florida: Due to some unforeseen circumstances, the route The Keys Challenge,” scheduled for January 12-22, had to be modifi ed, but I worked with Richard until 2012. Being a kayaker myself, I jumped at the chance we had a workable schedule and made all necessary to show off the dedication and skills of my new Coast modifi cations, prior to their departure. The Group Guard Auxiliary family. Without hesitation (which in Coordinator advised that the Paddlers would only retrospect might have been putt ing the horse before have cellphones. The Auxiliary knew it was much safer the cart), I volunteered the Coast Guard Auxiliary to use radios, and the Paddlers soon purchased marine services to provide a safety patrol boat to accompany radios to communicate with our safety patrol boats, them throughout the 120-mile journey. Being a new and designated three key boats — the lead boat, the Vessel Examiner, however, I also off ered to conduct roaming “safety/medical” boat, and the chase boat — Vessel Examinations, as well a safety briefi ng by Joe and provided the new radios to these three. Penar, Flotilla Staff Offi cer-Vessel Examination. Prior to Day One, Sankpill issued instructions to all of Bill Richard explained that, with all of the festivities the participating fl otilla members: Bob Hoff man, David celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Flagler Gross, Patt i Gross, Ed Miller and Conrad Sankpill. Train, the goal of Paddle Florida was to have Again, at the end of each day, he issued a report, and 100 paddlers, paddling 100 miles in 10 days, included the other fl otillas, giving everyone an idea arriving in Key West on the 100th anniversary of of any issues that arose that day. I also learned that the arrival of Mr. Flagler and his infamous train. nothing like this had been performed in the Keys, and, For more information, their website, paddlefl orida.org, secretly, I was thrilled to be a part of this truly historic has a great detailed description of each leg of the trip. event. I never dreamt of the complexities involved in Day One, was the most amazingly picture-perfect coordinating such an event. Thank goodness for day for paddling. Fifty-seven paddlers launched their Flotilla 13-8 member Conrad Sankpill! He rose to this ocean kayaks, loaded with safety equipment and gear challenge with ease, grace and professionalism at (oh, I forgot to mention, they camped all along the every turn. He never questioned my off er of support Continued on page 33 Volume LVIII Issue 1 Spring 2012 33 had no idea how many would want to participate. Thanks to Pat Fincannon, David Gross, Patt i 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 affi xed 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. On this day, the crew did provide an assist. One kayak got caught in the trough of a wave and was fl ipped. The chase boat arrived very quickly to lend assistance, but it was obvious that both the cold and force of the water Continued from page 32 had startled the paddler. The Auxiliary vessel quickly way). The mood was fabulous, as this experienced got the paddler aboard the boat, along with his kayak. group of paddlers knew what a rare treat the perfect They managed to drain the water from the kayak, and, weather provided. This fabulous weather was truly after the paddler warmed up, they launched him back, needed, as Day One was a long, 20-mile paddle. On and he was able to safely continue with the group to this day, the Safety Boat was only required to provide Long Key. them with guidance for a safe passage in shallow areas during low tide. From the daily updates received by the Marathon and Key West Flotillas, the group arrived at Fort Zachary Day Two, Safety Vessel Examiners met the group at the State Park on time and without further incident. Florida Boy Scout Sea Base to provide a Safety Briefi ng and perform to Vessel Safety Check of their paddle The number of Auxiliary members who participated crafts and their safety equipment. Joe Penar was was extraordinary! This complicated and complex amazing in securing a suffi cient number of Examiners. eff ort came off smoothly and effi ciently. The dedication We were limited by the daylight hours and really 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 34 U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary District 7 Breeze

SAND KEY, Fla.—Chief Warrant Offi cer Morgan responsibility can be as simple as towing a disabled Dudley, Commanding Offi cer of Coast Guard Station boat to its home port or boat ramp, or as complex Sand Key, initiated a unique program to reward and as executing hours of specialized search patt erns motivate Coast Guard Auxiliarists who successfully specifi cally designed to assist in detecting the boaters accomplish a Search and Rescue incident for the Coast in distress after the sighting of a fl are. Often the Search Guard. Station Sand Key executed approximately and Rescue cases result in helping boaters who are in 200 Search and Rescue cases in fi scal year 2011, and the water because their vessel has capsized or sunk Division 11 Coast Guard Auxiliary members performed and who are in danger of losing their lives. an unprecedented 30% of them. The Keys of Success program has spurred some The two-part program is dubbed Keys of Success. healthy competition among certain members – each of Every member on an authorized patrol in the local them earning eight keys and decals for the period from waters who participates in a Search and Rescue case is May 1 through December 31, 2011. In reality, what the awarded a key painted blue and white and a specially program has done is to put all members on patrol on designed key ring on which to place the Keys of high alert, to encourage them to respond quickly to Success. In addition, the Auxiliary facility that the crew calls-outs for Search and Rescue cases initiated by the was embarked on when they performed the Search and Coast Guard, and to keep a good lookout while on the Rescue case is awarded a special decal, with a life ring water for the more routine disabled vessel cases. and Coast Guard Auxiliary emblem. Captain Sheryl Dickinson, Commander Sector St. When asked if the Keys of Success were responsible for Petersburg, has been pleased with the results of the the high numbers of rescues performed by the Coast Keys of Success program. She recently visited Station Guard Auxiliary, Dudley responded, “Regardless of Sand Key and held a special ceremony to place the fi rst the reason, the Auxiliarists in Division 11 saved lives decals on two of the Auxiliary facilities: Ed and Teresa that were in danger on our seas and assisted numerous Kasper’s Ghost and Karen Miller’s Broad on the Bow. boaters in distress. The Keys of Success is one way the CWO Dudley followed suit the next week and placed men and women of Coast Guard Station Sand Key can the Keys of Success decals on Louis Davis’ Sea Bear. recognize the Auxiliary’s outstanding eff orts.” Division 11 members cover the waterways on the The Search and Rescue cases in Sand Key’s area of central west coast of Florida from Aripeka in the north to John’s Pass in the south; the ssamea area protected by USCG SStation Sand Key. There are lolocal Auxiliary units in Hudson, NNew Port Richey, Tarpon SSprings, Dunedin, Clearwater anand Madeira Beach. Ω

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 Offi cer CWO Morgan Dudley in the background. Photo by Jim Ryder, Division Commander 11 Volume LVIII Issue 1 Spring 2012 35 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 fi fteen-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 briefi ng 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 well- to 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 oof times, someone has almost run over an aalligator on the fi rst leg of the ride while it is still light. TThere is nothing like learning about our enenvironment and having fun! Ω

A Park Ranger from Everglades Na onal Park briefs the riders on the terrain and off ers some necessary do’s and don’ts to keep everyone safe and make the ride more enjoyable. Photo by Judith Hudson 3636 U.U. S.S. CoCCoastast GGuarduard AuxiliarAuxiliaryy DistrictDistriictt7 7 BreeBreezeze

By Do e Riley, District Staff Offi cer-Publica ons D7

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—On the evening of January he fi rst heard about the collision. As the Admiral 28, 1980, the USCGC Blackthorn left Tampa Shipyard pointed out, the average age of today’s member of the to return to her homeport in Galveston, Texas. The Coast Guard is thirty years old, which means that most Blackthorn never made it home. At 7:21 p.m., the ship where not born when this tragedy occurred. Since the collided with the tanker SS Capricorn just beyond the average age of Auxiliarists is considerably higher, even Skyway Bridge and quickly sank. The Coast Guard fewer Auxiliarists survive who remember fi rst-hand responded immediately to rescue the survivors, as the events of that day. It is an event that should be did members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Divisions remembered. Not only did it constitute the greatest Seven, Eight and Eleven, who kept the channel clear loss of life in a single event by the Coast Guard in and set up safety and security zones around the wreck. peacetime, but also it changed how the Coast Guard trained its command level offi cers and senior enlisted Every year, on January 28, both Sector St. Petersburg members for command duty afl oat. and Sector Houston-Galveston hold a remembrance ceremony to honor the 23 Coastguardsmen who The Blackthorn tragedy sent shockwaves throughout lost their lives that day. The annual ceremony in St. the Coast Guard. It was unthinkable that a sturdy buoy Petersburg is held at the Blackthorn Memorial, located tender would sink within minutes, and even more at the northern approach to the Skyway Bridge. This disturbing that nearly half of its crew would drown. year’s guests included Vice Admiral Robert C. Parker, Subsequent investigations by the United States Coast Commander, Atlantic Area / Commander, Defense Guard Marine Board of Investigation concluded that, Force East; and Rear Admiral William D. Baumgartner, while the captains of both the Blackthorn and the Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District. Several Capricorn were at fault, primary responsibility rested members of the Auxiliary also att ended, including with the captain of the Blackthorn. Melvin Manning, District Captain-West; Casey Jankowski, former Rear Commodore-West (now “The board determined that the cause of the casualty was called District Captain-West); Jimmy Ryder, Division the failure of both vessels to keep well to that side of the 11 Commander; and Paulett e Parent, Division 8 channel which lay on their starboard (right) side.” While Commander. concurring with the marine board’s determination of the cause, the Commandant emphasized, in his Vice Admiral Parker delivered a poignant address. He “Action,” that the failure of the persons in charge of both is one of 90 members of the Coast Guard remaining vessels to ascertain the intentions of the other through who served at the time of the tragedy and vividly the exchange of appropriate whistle signals was the recalled his personal whereabouts and response when primary contributing cause. Additionally, Admiral Continued on page 36 Volume LVIII Issue 1 Spring 2012 37

Continued from page 36 Cap ons Facing page: A Guardsmen from Sector St. Petrsburg places a Hayes pointed out that att empts to establish a passing single rose bearing the name of one of the cu ermen who died agreement using only radiotelephone communications in the tragic collision of the USCGC Blackthorn thirty-two years failed as an adequate substitute for exchanging proper ago this day, Jan. 28, 2012, at the foot of the memorial. Photo whistle signals. by D. Riley “The collision occurred in the evening of January 28, Above le : Jimmy Ryder, Division Commander 11; Jon Nicholls, 1980, near the junction of Mullet Key and Cut “A” (Flo lla 11-7); Melvin Manning, District Captain-West; and Frank Sposato, (Flo lla 11-1) at the Blackthorn Memorial Channels approximately three-quarters of a mile Remembrance Ceremony on Jan. 28, 2012 in St. Petersburg. from the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay. The Photo by D. Riley vessels collided nearly head on, and as a result, the Above right: Sector St. Petersburg Honor Guard fi re a salute to port anchor of Capricorn became embedded in the their fallen shipmates. Photo by Auxiliary member, Deborah A. port side of the Blackthorn. The momentum of the two Mallory, Public Aff airs Offi cer, Air Sta on Clearwater 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 offi cers 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 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 Offi cer, CG Air Sta on Clearwater; CWO4 Morgan Dudley, Commander, Sta on Sand Key; CWO J. Kerner, Commanding Offi cer, 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 fl o lla ac on plans. The concepts presented are not the typical fl o lla management fare and should be of interest to all elected and staff offi cers at every level. Photo by Do e Riley