CHANGE OF COMMAND SECTOR OHIO VALLEY. Saying Goodbye to Captain Timme page 2. Inspecting History. 30 Years of Service SEPTEMBER 2016

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1 District Eight Eastern Region Saying Goodbye to Captain Timme page 2 SEPTEMBER 2016 Inspecting History 30 Years of Service page 6 page 8 SECTOR OHIO VALLEY CHANGE OF COMMAND Louisville On July 15, Captain Richard V. Timme handed over command of Sector Ohio Valley to Captain Michael B. Zamperini as commander of Sector Ohio Valley. Captain Timme leaves us to move on to Washington, D.C. where he assumes his next assignment. We will miss Captain Timme and at the same time we welcome Captain Zamperini to our area. Captain Zamperini most recently served as Deputy Commander of Coast Guard Sector San Juan, Puerto Rico where he oversaw 650 Active Duty, Reserve and civilian men and women serving in the eastern Caribbean. Captain Zamperini, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has many awards including two Meritorious Service Medals, three Coast Guard Commendation Medals, and a host of other awards. Welcome Captain Zamperini and we look forward to serving with you! Story by Randy Ventress DCOS Photo by USCG Petty Officer 3rd Class Lora Ratliff Rear Admiral David R. Callahan, Commander of the Eighth Coast Guard District looks on as Captain Richard V. Timme transfers command of Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley to Captain Michael B. Zamperini during the Change of Command ceremony on July 15th, 2016, at the Muhammed Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

2 Captain of the Port Remembering Captain Timme, in His words and Ours In His Words Captain Richard Timme has a long history of involvement with District 8 Eastern Coast Guard Auxiliary. While commanding the coasties at MSU Pittsburgh he began creating friendships with the Auxiliary members within his AOR. He worked closely with the response boats for training on water and off. During then Commander Timme s command, beginning in 2009 he built a close working relationship between the active duty and Auxiliary. He encouraged them to work alongside the RBS s for training and team building. They worked together ensuring the AUX crews had all the equipment needed to fulfill the same water safety patrols as the active duty and reserve. He helped facilitate the usage of the boat house thus ensuring they would share the space and work out of the same facilities. After working with the Pittsburgh group for three years new orders came down to the then commander of MSU Pittsburgh. It was time to move on. The auxiliary could read what CDR Timme wrote in the Captain Of The Port Newsletter as he was preparing for his new assignment, Time and tide wait for no man, or so the saying goes. Three years has gone so fast, and we find ourselves at that time of the year when those of us in the blue suits are talking to moving companies. This was a quote taken from the last article he wrote for the newsletter. CDR Timme did not move far geographically, his next assignment was a year of Senior Service School at the National War College in Washington, DC. After attending classes for a year, his assignment brought him back to District 8 Eastern at Sector Ohio Valley in Louisville, Kentucky as Captain of the Port, Officer-in- Charge of Marine Inspection, Federal Maritime Security Coordinator, and Federal On-Scene Coordinator, he oversaw Coast Guard Port Security, Law Enforcement, Waterways Management, Marine Investigations and Inspections, and Marine Environmental Protection in Western Pennsylvania and the West Virginia panhandle. While serving at Sector Ohio Valley, CAPT Timme once again made the Coast Guard Auxiliary a part of his operations. In his first speech given to the Auxiliary at Fall D-Train 2013 at Cadiz, Kentucky he addressed the group during the general session he told the members of his desire to encourage all members of the auxiliary to continue with the missions of Boating Safety Classes and all public education. He expressed the need to make this message a priority for us. The message included the need to work together and get to know each other. He was recently asked what his thoughts were concerning our role as volunteers supporting the Coast Guard, this is what he wrote The day to day contributions of the Aux is what makes them the force multiplier for the operational commander, i.e. boating safety classes, courtesy exams, patrols, etc. They were absolutely key to our boating safety missions and marine event planning. Commodore Schal (left) and Captain Timme award the departing Nathan Giles, Administrative for Eighth Eastern, a special plaque commending him for his outstanding service to the Auxiliary, 2015 Spring D-Train. Continued on page 3 2

3 MESSAGE FROM Captain of the Port Continued from page 2 The Commodore The Captain was also asked what some of his best memories were while serving his time with District Eight. This is what he wrote What I enjoyed the most, and recalls most clearly are the D-Trains and Changes of Watch that I attended. Organizational culture matters. It s the bonds of fellowship, and camaraderie that are built at these gatherings that sustain us through the hard work of training, qualifications, recruiting and all the other hard parts. I really valued those opportunities to meet with people, but also to participate in the ceremonies that create the sense of belonging that is our reward for being in uniform. So, what I m saying is that attendance at Change of Watch, D-Train, N-Train are hugely important to the morale of our Aux, as well as the skill and proficiency of the members. It was my honor and pleasure to be a part of those for my time on the rivers both in Pittsburgh and at Sector Ohio Valley. In Our Words This Auxiliarist has many memories of Captain Richard Timme at the D-Trains and Change of Watches. The first time meeting him was during a D-Train, he arrived after RADM Cook to the training, he introduced himself as we stood on an outside porch. He entered the space and filled it with not only his stature but with his deep voice and never ending charm. As an attendee you were likely to find him setting a class to acquire the information and knowledge, or in the hospitality room getting to know everyone. He never met a stranger and he never let anyone pass him without a kind word. At the same fall D-train he entered the room were the banquet was to held that Saturday evening, upon entering he noticed right away the lack of people help, and the stress level in the room as it was being prepared for the evening s grand events. After a discussion with the few people setting up he found out a very special award was to be given out that evening and after several conversations many of the Auxiliary members who should be getting the award were not on the list, Captain Timme went into action to ensure every deserving member got a certificate, ribbon and recognition. He then ensured the proper folders were delivered from MSU Paducah and RADM Cook personally signed the certificates. After that assistance he offered to help decorate the banquet hall. For the next Four D-Trains an invitation was sent to the Captain of the Port, Sector Ohio Valley. He attended the next couple accepted our invitation to speak at the Commodores Banquet, he always knew what our district statistic were, what our accomplishments where and he was always willing to assist in getting the participants the recognition so greatly deserved. You never knew where he would show up during the training, be it the classroom, the general session head table, the hospitality room or just setting in the front lobby; he always encouraged us through his support of attendance and participation. Change of Command MSU Paducah CAPT Malcolm (Rob) McLellan leaving Paducah, CAPT Richard Timme in the middle and CDR Sawyer taking over command at Paducah He also enjoyed participating in the many Change Of Watch s he was invited to and was able to attend.. As a volunteer for the Coast Guard it is always an honor to have an active duty representative present, having a Captain participate in your event is an honor. Participating in the pomp and circumstance, where your dress blues or white, making sure your shoes are shined and your ribbons are checked takes on a different meaning when you know the Captain was coming to deliver words of encouragement and support. The Captain not only attended the Auxiliary Change of Watches he also attended the many Change of Commands for the Gold side. One of the many he officiated was when District Eight Eastern said good bye to another supporter of the Auxiliary, CAPT Rob McLellan Continued on page 4 3

4 Captain of the Port Continued from page 3 at MSU Paducah. Before the ceremony many active duty, reservists, auxiliarists and honored guests were mingling, as Captain Timme moved around the room, he greeted many by name, knowing he had only met them a few times. The camaraderie he mentioned earlier and his thoughts on how much he valued the opportunities to meet with people showed every time he attended an event large or small. During his time leading our district he encouraged each of us to do the best we could and give as much as we could. He is leaving the district knowing the number of on water missions have increased while the number of facilities has decreased. This phenomenon is due to his leadership encouraging the good changes in communication between the response teams at the MSU s, MSD s and other CG Units. He saw the future need as many of the RBS s would and did leave the AOR; so the district was faced with still supplying safety zones for the many events on the water for the recreational boaters. He saw a need for more PATCOM support for the auxiliary because many permitted events requested safety support from the Coast Guard. The partnerships formed under his watch and leadership has changed the on water response crews and coxswain in the district. Captain Timme had one last thing he wanted to share with our district, let me close with his last words to all of us, All the best to you, and thanks for making my time special out there. Take care of the new guy! Story by Geri McKee ADSO-PB Photos Geri McKee and H William Smith ADSO-PB Lynch Joins the Guardian Staff The Heartland Guardian is excited to announce that David Lynch has joined the staff as an ADSO from Division 7. David is a career EMT/Firefighter at an ambulance service about an hour North East of Pittsburgh, PA. Also trained as a swift water rescue technician, David serves as the departments Rescue Captain, overseeing their water rescue and wilderness search & rescue teams. David joined the Auxiliary after being contacted by a local Flotilla member who had seen him at the Pittsburgh Regatta and asked if he would be interested. Having had some schooling for journalism, he wanted to resurrect his Flotilla s newsletter and was appointed the FSO-PB. He is now currently serving as the Division 7 SO-PB as well. EDITORIAL STAFF Curt Pratt DSO - PB Division 18 Bill Smith ADSO - PB Division 12 CONTRIBUTORS Joe Kleri, DCDR Lora Ratliff - USCG Randy Ventress - DCOS Diane Gilman ADSO - PB Division 11 David Lynch ADSO - PB Division 7 Geri McKee ADSO - PB Division 8 4

5 MESSAGE FROM The Chief of Staff Paying it Back Robert Fulghum wears many hats and in his seventies he is still working on what he wants to be when he grows up. Mr. Fulghum has been a teacher, professional artist, a working cowboy, salesman, photographer, parish minister, and bartender, to name a few. He has also dabbled in writing, publishing books of introspect, not only of himself, but Life in general. One book he wrote was It Was on Fire When I Laid Down on It and one of the stories he shares in this book is about an experience he had while on International travel. Mr. Fulghum was travelling home from the Far East, and while waiting on his flight he was sitting next to a young lady that was tensely occupying her chair. He noted that the young lady had obviously been travelling for awhile and her backpack showed signs of the hard travel, yet bulged with mementos of seeing the world. He noticed tears starting to stream down her face and he imagined that she was leaving friends behind or giving up on her adventure to go back to college. In the ensuing conversation, Mr. Fulghum found that she was indeed reluctantly going home from her adventure. She had run out of money, so she had spent two days waiting in the airport on standby, with very little to eat. To compound everything, she had lost her ticket. Several people there in the waiting area got caught up in the moment with her and offered to get her a meal, and Mr. Fulghum offered to go speak with the airline. When the young lady stood up to go with them, she turned to pick up her belongings and she let out a scream. There was her ticket! She had been sitting on her ticket for hours, she had found her ticket to her objective. Recently I had the pleasure to attend our National Training Conference, and as I usually do, went to the restaurant and had breakfast, long before the first scheduled session. A young man, a Vice Flotilla Commander came by and asked if he could join me, we were the only two there at that time, so I did invite him to sit down. I asked him how long he had been in the organization, how he liked the office he was holding. The young man had been in about a year and a half and he loved being a leader. He of course asked me the same questions and except for the length of time in the organization, we shared a lot of the same answers. He then asked me if I had any advice I would pass on to him. I suggested to him that he take all the leadership courses he could. The young man had already finished AUXLAMS A and B. Then he asked, Anything else I need to do? I told him then that he was already doing what I would suggest. He gave me a quizzical look and I answered, Networking is a very valuable tool to a leader. Leaders can learn so much about their own areas from listening to others talk about theirs. I suggested he do as he was doing at that moment, and get out of his comfort zone. We are all sitting on our own tickets. As leaders, at times, we may stumble on which direction to take, which decisions to make. At times like these we may need to shift our position, move around a little, and get outside our comfort zone. Having a mentor, as the young lady in the first part of this story did (Mr. Fulghum) is the right thing to do. The young VFC maybe at the time did not realize it but he was being mentored himself. Being a mentor sometimes just by listening, can give a member insight into where he or she may want to go next. The young lady, just by moving out of her seat, had a change of scenery. The young VFC just by chatting over coffee was able to see his position in a different light, I am sure because of further questions he asked. Mentoring is important and could make the difference of a new member staying beyond a year or two in our organization or not staying. I can say without a doubt that if you, the reader, had not had a mentor at some point early on, you would not have stayed. Let s pay it back, mentor someone. Randy Ventress 5

6 Auxiliary Inspects a Piece of History The 33 long Patience is a replica flat bottom boat the early American pioneers would have used to travel in the early days of our county. Elizabeth, PA The boats of pioneer times were much different than those of today, as John Castronovo, FSO- VE recently found out, when he was asked to perform a Vessel Safety Check on a 33 replica flat bottom boat. Rinker Buck, the award winning author of Oregon Trail, is departing from Elizabeth Pennsylvania, sailing to New Orleans, via the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, on the replica flat bottom boat Patience, as a research project for an upcoming book on the life of the early pioneers from Western Pennsylvania. Mr. Buck is intending to write about how flat bottom boats helped settle the west, according to Capt. John Cooper of Tennessee, who built Patience. These type of boats carry the most in shallow waters, said Cooper, making them great for traveling the rivers and were also called floating lumber yards, as the pioneers would tear the boats apart when they reached their destination and use the wood to build their new homes. The Patience is the twenty-third flat bottom that Capt. Cooper has built since It took three months to build and weighs in at nine tons, or about 18,000 pounds. It is 33 long and 14 wide with a draft of ten inches. Patience is built like the early pioneers would have done it inside and out, from rough cut oak and poplar, with a few exceptions. Cooper built this boat on beefed up pontoons filled with marine grade foam and it s equipped with electricity for Mr. Buck s convenience. It can also be powered by a 115 horse power Mercury outboard, cleverly concealed on the stern. Capt. Cooper asked for a Vessel Safety Check because he likes to register his boats in the state they are built in and make sure they comply with all Federal and State safety regulations. Replica boats built by Capt. Cooper have also been used in a Louis and Clark Expedition re-enactment, which carried 13 people from Alton, Illinois to Memphis, Tennessee. That boat was powered only by the arms of its crew, with oars. In fact, there was quite some excitement when the expedition reached the Chain on the Mississippi River, as the boat was swept out into the current, away from the lock causing the crew to frantically row against the Continued on page 7 6

7 Inspecting History Continued from page 6 Posing for a quick picture after the work is done are (l to r) Scott Mandrell, John Castronovo, FSO-VE 07-03, Rinker Buck and John Cooper. current to get back into the lock, so they didn t go over the chain. Thankfully, they made it without incident! According to Wikipedia, the Chain of Rocks Lock, also known as Locks No. 27, is a lock situated at the southern end of Chouteau Island near St. Louis, Missouri on the Upper Mississippi River. Its associated dam is just downstream 3 miles (4.8 km) southeast on the Chain of Rocks canal. The canal and locks allow river traffic to bypass a portion of the river that is unnavigable in low water due to an anticlinal exposure of bedrock in the river a chain of rocks. The Cumberland Wildlife Foundations Save the Eagles campaign, was responsible for starting Capt. Coopers, flat boat building adventures, after they ask him if he could build them a replica boat. Capt. Cooper, who worked as a marina and boat dock builder, constructed the Double Eagle, a 38 flat bottom, that was used by the Foundation to raise money to help save the Golden and Bald eagles. Hence the name. As of this writing, Capt. Cooper has begun work on hull #24, which he expects to complete in the coming months. For more information on Capt. Cooper and Rinker Buck s adventure, please use the following links: and Story and Photos by David Lynch ADSO-PB Auxiliarists Participate in Ribbon Cutting Ceremony The members of Flotilla 11-07, Clarksville/Fort Campbell were extended an invitation to attend the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the New Veterans Home in Clarksville, Tennessee. It was with great pleasure a few members of Flotilla were able to attended. The ribbon cutting ceremony officially opened the Brigadier General Wendell H. Gilbert home on January 11, Governor Bill Haslam offered brief remarks followed by representatives from the State Assembly, Clarksville City and Montgomery County Mayors with closing remarks from Ed Harris, Executive Director of Tennessee Veterans Homes. Representing US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla were Fred Gilman, VCDR Div. 11, Diane Gilman, FC 11-07, Irv Staats and friends of Auxiliary Flotilla This is the first Veterans Home in the State of Tennessee to be built using the new federally mandated cottage floorplan to offer veterans and/or spouses a home-like environment. The 108-room facility seemed more like a vacation spa with its library, physical therapy resources, barber shop and salon, bistro, large dining and walking areas and several options for recreation and entertainment. Immediately following the ribbon cutting, attention was directed to unveiling of the Doughboy statue. The statue was first dedicated by the City of Clarksville in As its inscription says it has always stood as a monument to Montgomery County s World War I soldiers and sailors. Doughboy is made from limestone known as Alabama or Georgia marble, the rifle is a bronze casting of a 1917 Enfield. It resides at the center of the Veterans Home entrance. Story by Diane Gilman ADSO-PB 7

8 Flotilla Enjoys 30 Years of Service On June 1st, 1986, a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla was chartered with 18 members and named Redstone, The new flotilla was headquartered at the Redstone Yacht Club, meeting at Building 8014 of the Redstone Arsenal near Huntsville, Alabama. Early in its existence there was no way of knowing the bond that would ultimately develop between the U.S. Army garrison at Redstone Arsenal, and the Auxiliary flotilla. In the coming years and decades, a partnership emerged and became stronger that today has become of mutual benefit to both organizations. On July 16th, 2016, Division 24 members came together to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Flotilla at Redstone Arsenal. Bringing current members and retirees alike together for a time of fellowship and memories, Flotilla honored their past and envisioned their future. Attending were retired past members of the flotilla, the Garrison Commander of Redstone Arsenal, Colonel Thomas Holliday, Chief of Safety and Risk Management for Redstone Arsenal Mike Moore, and, Coast Guard Auxiliary Eighth District, Eastern Region, Chief of Staff Randy Ventress. Flotilla Commander and Master of Ceremonies Harold Laetsch, assisted by retiree Tom Kunhart, kicked off the day with introductions. Both Colonel Holliday and Mike Moore lauded the membership of flotilla and let them know how valuable the partnership between the Auxiliary and the Arsenal is. John Mabry gave a short history and rundown of the many accomplishments of the flotilla. Walt Whitacre brought back many memories of events that have happened in the flotilla over the thirty years celebrated. It was noted that three of the original plank members of Flotilla were in attendance. Walt Whitacre, Donna Colonel Thomas Holliday, Chief of Safety and Risk Management for Redstone Arsenal, praised their Auxiliary partnership. Walt Whitacre addresses the assemblage. Whitacre, and Chris Whitacre have been members of the flotilla since the beginning. Special honor was given to them and rightfully so. Thanks to all were offered for their service. Congratulations to Flotilla 24-06, the Redstone Flotilla, for thirty years of service to our country! Story and photos by Randy Ventress DCOS 8

9 District 8 Eastern Region September 15, 2016 September 18, 2016 Chattanooga-Marriott at the Convention Center Two Carter Plaza Chattanooga, TN Book your room by: August 15, 2016 $95.00 USD per night Book your group rate for United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Conference There is something to do for everyone, bring the Family and enjoy our Scenic City!

10 PLEASE LIST ALL ATTENDEES REGISTER NOW: FILL OUT AND RETURN QUESTIONS? Contact Mary Ward: (423) or Print and mail completed form with check, payable to USCG Aux Division 16 to: Samuel Sprayberry SO-FN, 8320 Hamilton Oaks Dr, Chattanooga, TN **payment & registration due by September 1, 2016 (cut off date for meals is September 7th)** D-Train $10.00 = $ Name CG/AUX Office Div. Flotilla Name CG/AUX Office Div. Flotilla Guest(s) Guest(s) Address Friday Fun Night - Family Game Night Attendees: $35.00 = $ Live Band Games/Corn Hole, etc 13years and up (Child care will be available ages 4 and up) Popcorn Chicken with Ranch/Honey Mustard Sauces Mild Wings Chilled Jumbo Shrimp Deviled Eggs w/candied Bacon Chocolate Covered Strawberries Assorted Cookies Commodore s Banquet (Saturday night) Attendees: $45.00 = $ Please mark which choice for all members in your group Total # Entrée Choice #1: Grilled Filet and Roasted Shrimp (Marinated Petit Filet, Smoked Paprika Shrimp) Seasonal Vegetables Sour Cream Mashed Potatoes & Demi Glaze Total # Entrée Choice #2: Atlantic Salmon & Herb Chicken (Herbed Chicken Breast & Baked Salmon) Parmesan Risotto, Roasted Vegetables & a Creamy Spinach Sauce Both Entrée options are served with a fresh garden salad, warm rolls with butter, freshly brewed iced tea, Starbucks coffee (regular and decaf) and dessert Grand Total Due = $ UNIFORM OF THE DAY: Thursday - Civilian Business Casual (NO ODU s)- Board & Staff Friday - Tropical Blue (NO ODU s) Friday Night Fun Night - Civilian Casual Saturday - Tropical Blue or Civilian Business Casual (NO ODU s) Saturday Night Banquet - Dinner Dress White Jacket, Dinner Dress Blue, Blue Blazer/Coat & Tie or Appropriate Civilian (Semi-Formal) For more details go to: