Chesapeake Chatter Division 23 5SR CDR J. David Block, new Director of the Auxiliary; CWO Heath Smith, new OTO; Lorraine Colletta 2019 D5SR Auxiliarist of the Year; and Phil Wentz, SO-OP, Lifetime Achievement Award U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Volume 12 Issue 2 Summer 2020 Chesapeake Chatter Division 23 Volume 12 Issue 2 Summer 2020 Judged 5SR Runner-Up Division Publication for 2018 Special Thanks Division 054-23 Phil Wentz, 2019 D5SR Lifetime Achievement Award Our outstanding Coast Guard Auxiliary Volunteers of Division 054-23 have Mr. Wentz’s life has been defined by service, shown a high-level of resiliency and beginning as a boy in the Sea Scouts. He then professionalism by maintaining the highest levels served in the US Navy aboard the USS Saratoga, of dedication and devotion to duty. one of the Navy’s first aircraft carriers. Following his active duty service, Phil joined the US Coast One of the most difficult orders that we have Guard Auxiliary in 1974. He has served as Flotilla received was to stand down from normal Commander, coxswain and SO-OP. He is currently operations. Our Auxiliary members conducted serving as AQEC for Sector MD-NCR where he themselves with the highest level of honor and manages the qualification examiners (QEs) for the followed the orders with no exceptions. boat crew program. He has been engaged in operations for the duration of his Auxiliary service Marie and I appreciate your hard work and and constructive attitude during these very difficult includes times. Our Auxiliary members represent the best over 767 that this great country have surface to offer. patrol hours, Thank you for all you do. 2,567 Willie Witters Division Commander administrative support hours and 4,220 operational support hours, most of which were as a watch stander at Sector Baltimore. In total Phil has logged 14,170 mission hours which averages to 300 hours per year for 45 years of service. Phil exemplifies the core values of the U.S. Coast Guard on a grand scale. He is the embodiment of honor, respect and devotion to duty. He is the backbone of his Flotilla and an inspiration to all his shipmates, especially the younger members. He remains devoted to duty despite any obstacle thrown his way, whether it be the limitations that come with age, or even the passing of his wife after many decades of marriage. 2 Chesapeake Chatter Division 23 Volume 12 Issue 2 Summer 2020 Judged 5SR Runner-Up Division Publication for 2018 2020 Board & Staff Table of Contents DCDR: Willie Witters VCDR: Marie Squillace Wentz receives Lifetime Achievement Award……..2 IPDCDR: John Fewer Welcome CDR Block, New DIRAUX……………………...4 23-1 - Annapolis HAZWOPER Training Update……………………………….4 Margaret Butler, Flotilla Commander Welcome Aboard CWO Heath Smith…………………..5 David Sire, Vice Flotilla Commander Blood Borne Pathogen Training…………………………..5 23-2 - Solomons 81st Anniversary message…………………………………..6 Lawrence Butts, Flotilla Commander Awards………………………………………………………………..7 Earl Kaufman, Vice Flotilla Commander 23-3 – West Annapolis COVID-19…………………………………………………………….7 Joseph Espino, Flotilla Commander New Members…………………………………………………….8 Roy Culley, Vice Flotilla Commander New Vessel Examiner Shirt Available…………………..8 23-4 – South River Michael Whitman Crosses the Bar……………………...9 Michael Whitman, Flotilla Commander Hurricane Preparedness…………………………………….11 Bruce Petro, Vice Flotilla Commander Interpretive Buoy System………….………………………12 23-6 – Drum Point Auxiliarist of the Month…………………………………….12 Steve Birchfield, Flotilla Commander Moving Beyond Simple Tolerance……………………..13 Tom Hardisty, Vice Flotilla Commander 23-7 – Herring Bay Christopher Jensen, Flotilla Commander Paul Manicone, Vice Flotilla Commander 1 October 2020 Division Staff SO-AS—Michael Taylor Articles and pictures are encouraged and appreci- SO-CM - Jim Welday ated. Please email to the editor: Connie Cosgrove SO-CS - Wendy Norwitz SO-DV - vacant at [email protected] SO-FN - Michael Taylor SO-FS - Ron Hillarad SO-HR - Dave Keyser This publication is reproduced by Division 23, USCG SO-IS - Ronald Hillard Auxiliary at no expense to the US Government. SO-MA -Christopher Jensen SO-MS - Ronald Price Telephone numbers and addresses of members are SO-MT - Ray Feller protected by the Privacy Act of 1974. As a matter of SO-NS - Jeffrey Conopask policy, rosters of names, addresses and telephone SO-OP - Phil Wentz numbers shall not be made available to the general SO-PA - Le Roy Culley public or any outside organization. Privacy of all SO-PB - Connie Cosgrove rosters shall be safeguarded and the page clearly SO-PE - vacant labeled. The publication of these rosters, addresses SO-PV - Christopher Jensen and telephone numbers on any computer on-line SO-SR - Mark Campbell service including the Internet is prohibited by the SO-VE - Kirby Garland Privacy Act of 1974. 3 Chesapeake Chatter Division 23 Volume 12 Issue 2 Summer 2020 Judged 5SR Runner-Up Division Publication for 2018 CDR J. David Block has assumed the Branch Training Center Yorktown, VA and his last duties and responsibilities of D5SR position as Chief Of Logistics Sector Houston- DIRAUX Galveston, TX before assuming duties as D5 DIRAUX. CDR Block’s military career started in September 1985 when he enlisted in the Marine Corps. Upon CDR Block has worked in nearly every mission area completion of boot camp at Paris Island, SC he under the Coast Guard’s umbrella of attended Assault Amphibian Crewman School at, responsibility, including Search and Rescue, Camp Pendleton, CA. His first assignment was to Maritime Law Enforcement, Drug and Alien the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion at Camp Migrant Interdictions, Recruiting, and Homeland Pendleton, CA, where he made a successful six- Security. month West Pack deployment to the Pacific. After an exhaustive screening process, he was accepted He is married to the former Dorianne Smith and into the Marine Embassy Guard program and was they have a daughter Emily (11). assigned to high profile embassies in Paris, France, Moscow, USSR, and Caracas, Venezuela until 1990 Editor’s note: The above was received through when he left the Marine Corps. He enlisted in the Coast Guard in August of 1993 and upon Update to graduation from boat camp was assigned as a HAZWOPER Recruit Physical Fitness Instructor at Training training Center Cape May. He attended Aviation Machinery Technician “A” School in September USCG Chief Director of 1995 and upon graduation spent the next five the Auxiliary (BSX / years as HH-65 mechanic and air crewman at CHDIR) has decided to Coast Guard Air Stations Houston, TX and Barbers nd stand down the Point, HI, reaching the rank of Petty Officer 2 requirement for First Responder Training Class. In 2000 he was accepted into Officer (HAZWOPER) for Aux operations. Therefore, Candidate School and received his commission in D5SR is also standing down this requirement for February 2001. As an officer, CDR Block served as all members. a SAR Controller at Group/Air Station Atlantic City NJ, Officer Recruiter CGRC Arlington, VA, THANK YOU to those members that have already Deployable Team Leader and Operations Officer at completed the training. Your efforts are much Maritime Safety & Security Team (MSST) appreciated. Galveston, TX, Officer in Charge Coast Guard Ceremonial Honor Guard Alexandria, VA, DCO Michelle Thornton Executive Officer MSST Anchorage, AK, Response Chief Sector Lower Mississippi River, Memphis, TN, Assistant Branch Chief at Boat Forces Training 4 Chesapeake Chatter Division 23 Volume 12 Issue 2 Summer 2020 Judged 5SR Runner-Up Division Publication for 2018 Welcome Aboard CWO Heath Smith Blood Borne Pathogens CWO Heath R. Smith comes to the D5SR Training Operations Training Officer (OTO) position from the National Maritime Center where he served as DCO Message the course approval Branch Chief in the Mariner about the Status Training & Assessment Division (NMC-2). of AUX activities" 17 July 2020 provided information on returning to operations and other CWO Smith has served in the Coast Guard for mission activities. Among other things, there are nearly 23 years. He joined the service in October is now an additional required class for ordered 1994, served four years, and then was honorably patrol missions and active duty/reserve discharged. He graduated from the Oregon interactions (e.g. watch standers): Blood Borne Public Safety Academy and worked for the Pathogens Training (Course #100293). Due date Lincoln County Sheriff’s department in Newport, is 15 Sep 2020. OR until September 11, 2001. He was involuntary recalled back to the reserves and served 10 Course #100293 is available at the AUXLMS months and then he enlisted back to active duty. Website (https://auxlearning.uscg.mil/ His operational assignments include: CGC POLAR Default.asp), in the Coast Guard (Gold) catalog SEA at Seattle, WA; Station Yaquina Bay at under Catalog: COVID PLANORD. The material is Newport, OR; MSO Valdez at Valdez, AK; Station straight forward, though members have Ocean City at Ocean City, MD; CGC MUNRO at experienced problems with the software. The Kodiak, AK; Executive Petty Officer Station Port DCO’s message advises any completion screen Angeles at Port Angeles, WA; Executive Chief shot/certificate or other proof of completion (e.g. Petty Officer Station Neah Bay at Neah Bay, WA; AUXLAMS Transcript) must be kept by each Operations Chief CGC ACTIVE at Port Angeles, member. A copy of each document must be WA. provided to your FSO-IS for entry into your AUXDATA II training record. A copy of each may He is authorized to wear the Boat Forces also be requested by an Order Issuing Authority. Operations Insignia and permanent Coxswain and Other guidance from DSO-MT recognizes Cutterman pins and his personal awards include: problem, recommends screen shots, and suggests Coast Guard Commendation Medal, five Coast there will be improvement. Guard Achievement Medals, and two Commandant’s Letters of Commendation. It seems to matter what web browser you use to access AUXLMS – I’ve had best result, not perfect, CWO Smith was born and raised in Idaho and is using Firefox (free download, if you don’t have it) married to the former Christie Rickey from on a MAC.