HEARTLAND GUARDIAN. For Our Members, By Our Members

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1 HEARTLAND GUARDIAN For Our Members, By Our Members Volume 7 July 2014

2 Stock Photo TABLE OF CONTENTS WELCOME OTO FRASCELLA Page 3 DIVISION SPOTLIGHT Page 4 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Page 5 SAVE THE DATE Page 6 DAYTON AUXLAMS Page 7 and 8 ALUM CREEK OHIO Page 9 and 10 PUBLIC AFFAIRS MANUAL Page 10 THOUGHTS ON THE 75TH Page 11 ARTICLE POLICIES Page 12 Cover Photo: Fourth of July Fireworks seen through the fireworks smoke at The Point in Pittsburgh. The Point in Pittsburg is the confluence of the Allegheny and Monongehalla Rivers and the source of the Ohio River. 2

3 WELCOME MR. FRASCELLA Please join the Heartland Guardian Staff in welcoming Chief Warrant Officer Four, Nick Frascella to District Eight Eastern as our new Operations Training Officer. Mr. Frascella has relieved CWO Four, Phil Pinto of his duties due to Mr. Pinto s transfer to a new assignment. Mr. Frascella can be reached at our DIRAUX office and his bio follows. Chief Warrant Officer Four Nick L. Frascella United States Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Nick Frascella was born and raised in Northern Ohio before enlisting in the Coast Guard in He has served aboard the following cutters: USCGC POINT CHICO, Bodega Bay, CA; USCGC AMBERJACK, South Padre Island, TX; USCGC KANAKKEE, Memphis, TN; Commanding Officer, USCGC HUDSON, Miami Beach, FL; Commanding Officer USCGC KANKAKEE. His shore tours include Coast Guard Station Belle Isle, Detroit, MI, Coast Guard Station Lorain, Lorain, OH, Coast Guard Motor Life Station Hatteras Inlet, Hatteras, NC, Coast Guard Group Ohio Valley and Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley, Louisville KY. Chief Warrant Officer Frascella is currently serving as the D8ER Auxiliary Operations Training Officer, Louisville, KY. 3

4 DIVISION SPOTLIGHT! DIVISION The Point in Pittsburgh 04 July 2014 DIVISION SEVEN PARADES FOR 50,000 ON FOURTH OF JULY Article and pictures by Norman C. Arbes, DCDR and ADSO-PB It is comforting for a Division Commander when the members of his division cover so many bases in a single day. Division 7 made its presence known in both Operation and Outreach missions on the Independence Day holiday. Norman Arbes, Division Commander, said I can only express my gratitude to those who volunteered their time and talents on the biggest mid-summer holiday of the year. I also want to thank these member s families for endorsing the members working the various missions while planning your family gatherings around the Auxiliary member s schedule of participation. The Fourth found two facilities under orders for patrol in the Point Pool fulfilling requests made and obligations filled to Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh by John Franko, VDCR and Division Operations Officer. Members traveled to Canonsburg to participate in the largest Independence Day Parade in the state of Pennsylvania and one of the largest in the country. The town of Canonsburgs claim to national recognition is having a law on the books declaring Today is the first day to set out your chairs and claim your spot for this year s Canonsburg Fourth of July Parade. The crowd that lined the streets the entire two mile length of the parade route was estimated at over 50,000 people. The parade lineup was Greg Knippel s Comms Unit, Thom Spagnol s Public Affairs Unit towing the float and bringing up the rear (photo above), Wayne Stawartz and Amy Cushanick in the Sammy the Otter Unit. The Sammy Unit again was a parade stopper having to stop for parents to take pictures of their kids in front of Sammy (photo right). 4

5 MEMBER SPOTLIGHT! PATRICK BROWN Division Eleven Flotilla Five Patrick Brown has recently relocated to Nashville TN through a merger with his employer, PSAV. Originally from New York, Patrick began his career in the hospitality/ technology field in 2003 by launching an in-house technology division at the nations first executive conference center in Tarrytown, New York. The success of the first location led to considerable growth and Patrick s regional began to expand. Prior to relocating south he oversaw a region comprised of 16 locations that spanned from NYC to Buffalo New York and included parts of Connecticut. Patrick considers himself very luck to have been afforded the ability to fulfill a long time dream of moving to Nashville. Since moving south, Patrick s region has grown to include 29 field offices throughout Tennessee, Alabama and southern Kentucky. When not in the office, Patrick, an avid NASCAR and Baseball fan, can be found relaxing in his recliner catching up on a race or Mets game. Patrick has been a leadership & management instructor since 2007, holds a BS degree and a CTS (Certified Technology Specialist) designation. Patrick is excited to begin his Coast Guard Auxiliary Career and is eager to become qualified and involved in operations and leadership opportunities throughout the organization. Patrick has been in the Auxiliary since April of this year and has already qualified as Instructor, Vessel Examiner, and Program Visitor. On June 22 while out pleasure boating my local marina called and asked that as a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary to investigate a report of three barges that had broken away from their moorings. After heading back up river and investigating the situation - indeed three barges had broken loose and were floating down an alternate channel blocking it from recreational traffic. Due to the hazard to recreational boaters it was decided that we should provide a safety perimeter until the barge company could get personnel out on their equipment to retrieve the barges. After about 30 minutes the barge company had personnel on the river to retrieve the barges. SEMPER PARATUS (Even When Off Duty) Article DeAnne Rodenburg DCDR-24 Photo Heather Bridges

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7 AUXLAMS IN CENTRAL OHIO Gerlinde Higginbotham DDC-L AUXLAMS is a five day course and is the first course in a series in the CGA Leadership Training Continuum. There were two weekend sessions held in Dayton Ohio, hosted by Loren Gannon DCDR 6. Auxiliarists from the Eighth Eastern and Ninth Western Districts participated COMO Carol Urgola, AUXLAMS Instructor, seated far right, executes a series of scenarios with Auxiliary members using leadership techniques throughout AUXLAMS. Auxiliarists: Tony Norman ( ); Loren Gannon ( ); Karen Kowalewsky ( ); Harry Archer ( ); Earl Reives ( ). Photo: Gerlinde Higginbotham (National Photo Corp). Photo Right: Peter Urgola, AUXLAMS Instructor, takes a small breakout group through the Strategic Leadership and Group Development module after viewing the movie, Twelve O Clock High. In order to allow interaction students were broken into two groups. Auxiliarists pictured are (Left to right): Corey Bolon ( ); Tony Norman ( ); Loren Gannon ( ); Matthew Meyers ( ); and Mort Mullins ( ). Photo: Gerlinde Higginbotham (National Photo Corp). (continued on page eight) 7

8 AUXLAMS (continued from page seven) Loren Gannon DCDR 6, (photo below) receives an award from AUXLAMS Instructors, Peter Urgola and COMO Carol Urgola for service above the call of duty. DCDR Gannon had a tough job of setting up two weekends (June and July 11-13) of AUXLAMS classrooms, lodging and meals for course participants. Kudos to Loren, a job well done. Photo: Gelinde Higginbotham (National Photo Corp). THE GRADUATES Pictured left to right are: Standing, David Black, Auxiliary Guest; Karen Kowalewsky ( ); Harry Archer ( ); David Basile ( ); Philip Voyles ( ); Corey Bolon ( ); Matthew Meyers ( ); Tony Norman ( ); Earl Reives ( ); Loren Gannon ( ). Seated left to right: Mort Mullins ( ); S. Baird Pfahl ( ); Thomas McQueen ( ); Eric Piper ( ); and Gerlinde Higginbotham ( ). Photograph by Peter Urgola, AUXLAMS Instructor. 8

9 LEARNING ABOUT CAREERS ON THE WATER THROUGH COAST GUARD DAY AT ALUM CREEK Story by: Vicki Schuler, FSO CM 18-7 Photos by: Curt Pratt, SO-PB, FSO PA 18-7 June 24, 2014, is a day one group of high-schoolers won t soon forget. For many of them it was their first time stepping on a boat of any sort. Before they got on the boat though, they spent the morning and early afternoon listening to a variety of speakers discuss career opportunities focused on or around the water. These students and their counselors were taking part in Central State University s Summer Transportation Institute. This is a four-week summer program for the high school students. They learn about different careers on the land, in the air, on the water, and in fields dealing with energy. Each week includes a field trip to see in -person a representation of those careers in action. Coast Guard Day was the field trip destination for their water week this year. Led by project director Gorgui Ndao, the students embarked upon their journey from Wilberforce, Ohio, to Alum Creek Marina in Delaware, Ohio, to participate in the Coast Guard Day session. The summer program and associated field trips are something to look forward to for many of these kids, who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Leading the 13th annual event for the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, was 8th District, Eastern Region Flotilla member and past Flotilla Commander, Jay Garcia. Also representing the Auxiliary from Flotilla 18-7 were members Curt Pratt, Frank Jackson, and Vicki Schuler. After brief introductions and program overview, the students were introduced to self-styled, Officer John. John Vargo, (photo right) with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, introduced himself and then handed everyone a goodie bag. However, there was meaning behind the printed message Are You Next? on the bag. He explained to students that it meant don t be a statistic and always expect the unexpected. More to the point he said Don t become a victim of drowning because you didn t wear your properly fitted life jacket. He had the students try on different life jackets and showed them other objects that they could hold on to should they fall in without a life jacket on. In showing them the different buoyant objects, he told them to be a hero. How can you be a hero? Mr. Vargo asked, Reach or throw: If you can reach the victim either with your own body or extending another object like a pool noodle or an oar, do so. If you cannot reach them, then you can throw any of these objects at them to hold on to until you can get closer and reach them. A spare tire with its metal rim can support up to 8 adults until they can be reached. Helping him with these demonstrations was his long-time assistant, Dick Armstrong. Officer John went on to describe the purpose of Alum Creek and the dam that is a big part of Alum Creek. He ended his session with students by describing the myriad of available jobs at USACE and how many were open to civilians, too. (continued on page ten) 9

10 Coast Guard Day (continued from page nine) Next up was Ryan Trout, (photo left with Jay Garcia) an Ohio Department of Natural Resources Investigator and State Watercraft Officer. While standing next to his patrol boat for the day, he talked to the students about patrolling for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, and how he also teaches and performs Public Relations duties for his agency including doing events such as this one. He also mentioned his path to becoming an ODNR Officer, which included going to college, lots of different instruction, and attending a couple officer training academies. I knew I wanted to be an ODNR Officer when I was 12, said Officer Trout, We were out on Buckeye Lake for the 4th of July festivities and an ODNR officer stopped our boat. It turned out that everything was OK. But I knew then that s what I wanted to do, so I set my mind to it and here I am today. He then let the kids, a couple at a time, on to his boat to look around. Curt Pratt was up next. He talked to the students about the role of the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Mr. Pratt, a certified Vessel Examiner for the Coast Guard Auxiliary, gave them a fundamental course on vessel safety examinations and then took them in groups to put their new-found knowledge to the test. He and Auxiliarist Frank Jackson, had each group look over a vessel, using the real USCG Auxiliary form, to determine if the boat would pass a real inspection from the Auxiliary. After breaking for lunch and then some final boating safety instruction, the highlight of the day came for the kids. Divided into two groups, they descended upon the waiting pontoon boats that had been secured for the afternoon. The experienced operator of each boat then took the kids on the ride of their lives. After a little cruising, the operators on each boat then stepped aside and carefully watched as each student took a brief stint behind the wheel. Things were cut short, unfortunately, when an unexpected storm started to come through the area. Embracing the Coast Guard s motto of Semper Paratus, the boats returned to shore without incident. FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICERS (And Publications Officers Also) In May the Public Affairs Directorate rolled out a new Public Affairs Manual. This is a very useful tool for not only PA s but PB s as well. This Manual as well as much more can be found on the Public Affairs Directorate link to the National website at: 10

11 THOUGHTS ON THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY H William "Bill" Smith FSO-PA, SO-SR Quad Cities Flotilla 12-7 I am taking a few moments on this day, 23 June, 2014, to reflect on what it means to be a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. On this date 75 years ago the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary was formed. I am proud to say that 75 years later the Auxiliary is going strong, growing and an important part of what is officially called, Team Coast Guard. I am also proud to be a part of that all-volunteer organization. Through war and peace the Coast Guard Auxiliary has partnered with the active duty Coast Guard to ensure the safety of Americans, and others, when they take to the waters of our nation and beyond. The Coast Guard has never been a large military force. Its mission of ensuring the safety of mariners on the high seas, on lakes and along our Nation s rivers has always been greater than the numbers of active duty personnel available and equipment on hand. Remarkably, the Coast Guard has compiled a record of mission accomplishment that is second to none worldwide. The U. S. Coast Guard is revered by those who take to the sea, and inland waters, as the one outfit to call when lives are on the line or the public s safety is at stake. The number of missions the Coast Guard undertakes continues to expand as the challenges faced grows in a changing world. The motto Semper Paratus (Always Ready) forms the bedrock of the Coast Guard. Those two words are more than a catch phrase, they become the truth for those who make that vow of service to this Nation as members of an elite force dedicated to the public good. That is where the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary stands as well. As civilian volunteers Auxiliary members serve as a force multiplier in support of our active duty personnel. According to the Unit Citation released today by Admiral Paul F. Zukunft, Commandant of the Coast Guard, in the last five years the Coast Guard Auxiliary, performed over 1.1 million vessel safety checks and marine dealer visits, delivered over 540 thousand hours of boating safety course instruction and conducted over 809 thousand hours of public outreach. Displaying superior underway and airborne operational proficiency, Auxiliarists logged over 19.8 million hours of support and patrol missions, saved over one thousand lives, assisted over 20 thousand boaters in distress and prevented the loss of more than 185 million dollars in property. Not a bad record for an all-volunteer force. As an Auxiliary member, I am proud of that record in supporting our active duty personnel. You see my son and nephew are both active duty Coasties. They have a tough job and if those of us in the Auxiliary can make that job easier through standing radio watches, doing vessel examinations, assisting in search and rescue operations and in general doing less demanding, but time consuming jobs that free up the active duty folks for the hard work then so be it. Being a Coast Guard Auxiliarist is missions that for 75 years Americans have accepted with pride. Today the one group of people honored that mission that Auxiliary members most hope to please, the active duty members of the United States Coast Guard. Thank you Admiral Zukunft, our mission is the same as yours, Semper Paratus. HISTORICALLY SPEAKING January 1948 Public Education program launched at the New York National Boat Show First 8-lesson boating safety course developed. 11

12 HEARTLAND GUARDIAN STAFF Left: Randy Ventress, DSO-PB Right: Norm Arbes, ADSO-PB Left: Valerie McQueen, ADSO-PB Right: Diane Gilman, ADSO-PB Please any of the Staff with questions, concerns, suggestions, articles and photos. (Stock Photos) Submission Requirements for Heartland Guardian The following requirements are suggested for consideration of articles and photos submitted to Heartland Guardian. Photos should be.jpg format and sent as an attachment. Photos should not be imbedded in the article or a part of a social media, such as Flicker, etc. NO cellular phone photos unless the quality of the photo is clear and crisp Credits for photos are required with Name and Unit Photos not taken by an Auxiliary member or copied from outside sources should be labeled as such Please send a caption with the photo, not embedded in the photo itself NO facial photos of minors without proper accompanying release signed by guardian (s) (Public Affairs Manual) Articles should be original unless credit is given to the author and permission has been acquired Articles with photos should be no larger than one page due to space limitations Articles should be noted with name of Author and Unit No Personal Identifying Information will be printed in the newsletter, so please do not submit this. Examples are Member Numbers, Social Security Numbers, phone numbers, addresses, or addresses. If including an address is important to the article, please have member send via United States Postal Service a letter authorizing use of the address to the Staff of Heartland Guardian. Stock Photo 12