20-20 Vision SEMPER PARATUS. A Publication of USCG Auxiliary Division 20, 5th Southern Region Vol. 15 No. 05 May, 2017

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1 20-20 Vision A Publication of USCG Auxiliary Division 20, 5th Southern Region Vol. 15 No. 05 May, 2017 From the Helm Web Site Wayne Mulligan, DCDR As we near the half-way point in another year, I have been noticing that some flotillas, and in fact, the division, are having problems finding members to step up to leadership positions WHY? Flotillas have to turn down Public Affairs events because of lack of support by members WHY? Some flotillas are presenting a minimal schedule of Public Education classes because of the lack of qualified instructors WHY? Some flotillas do not have any Operational Facilities or qualified crew or coxswains WHY? I recall last year at D-Train, then Chief of Staff, now Commodore David Adams gave a presentation on WHY. You might ask how someone could talk for an entire presentation period on a seemingly simple three-letter word. His talk was inspired by a book by Simon Sinek titled WHY. I often reflect on that presentation and wonder WHY, why do we have so many new members who have received a positive PSI and yet, in some cases, after a year have still not completed their Mandated Training to be able to advance to IQ or BQ? Why do we have so many members who are either comfortable with never being seen at a meeting or if they do attend, never volunteer to support any Flotilla activities? I wish that all members (myself included) would ask themselves WHY. Why did I join the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary? Was it possibly to save lives by teaching Boating Safety Courses, performing vessel safety checks, or becoming a program visitor? Was it because of prior military service and the desire to continue to serve our country in support of the Auxiliary s mission to support the Gold side by performing watchstanding or supporting the active duty personnel by cooking, or in one of the myriad other areas where we can be of service? I ask all members to ask themselves, WHY. We all had our reasons for joining. The main answer to WHY should be that we want to make a difference in making the waterways safer. SEMPER PARATUS Agenda Pledge of Allegiance Introduction of Guests Minutes of Last Meeting VCDR Remarks Staff Reports Flotilla Commanders Reports DCDR Remarks Presentations/Awards Open Forum Old Business New Business Adjourn Officers for 2017 DCDR Wayne Mulligan VCDR David Fort IPDCDR Heinz Rister SO-CM Thomas Wiggins SO-CS Melissa McLauren SO-DV Alvin Powell SO-FN Benjamin Reed SO-FS Vacant SO-HR Thomas Labuda SO-IS Elliott Roberts SO-MA Benjamin Reed SO-MS Vacant SO-MT Karl Mielenhausen SO-NS Barbara Pohlman SO-OP Fred Jelinek SO-PA vacant SO-PB Donald Lindberg SO-PE Steve Mathusek SO-PV Filippo Pagano SO-SR David Fort SO-VE Wayne Mulligan FCs for Tom LaBuda Heinz Rister Thomas Wiggins Bill Flynn John Anderson Fred Jelinek

2 Nantucket and Cushing Decommissioning Ceremony The event was so special... made us feel so proud of those who serve our country. Sharon White On Wednesday, 9 March 2017, the Coast Guard Cutters Nantucket and Cushing were celebrated at a decommissioning ceremony at Station Fort Macon in Atlantic Beach. Coast Guard members past and present who were crew members aboard the Cushing and Nantucket were at the ceremony, along with dozens of community members who came out to honor the legacy of the two Coast Guard ships.the cutters are two of many that are in the process of being decommissioned for a newer, slightly larger ship, called the Fast Response Cutter. Attending the ceremony from Flotilla were Sharon and Bob White, FSO-DV. Bob got to know the crew of the Cushing through a former neighbor who was a crewmember. Bob served as a one-day cook for the Cushing crew when they traveled to the Azalea Festival in Wilmington NC. Bob and Sharon White played Mr. and Mrs. Claus for the Cushing crew and their families for a Christmas Party. It s a relationship the Whites have enjoyed Sharon White, Bob White, BM2 Jonathan Wesley Kwedar, Mrs. Donlyn Kwedar with children Payton and Parker 2. Celebration cake 3. Far left: Steve Mathusek, Far right: Bob White [Submitted by Dave Tolley, photos by Dave Tolley and Sharon White] Division 20 Meeting Schedule for February April June August Picnic 1100 Fort s 7 October December 1000 All meetings will be held at the River Bend Town Hall, in the Town Council Chambers beginning at 1000, with the exception of the August meeting/picnic. [Submitted by Wayne G. Mulligan, DCDR]

3 Flotilla VSCs for NC Division of Marine Fisheries flynn - barbara.jpg L to R. Ben Crabtree, Bob Leibert, Heinz Rister, Dave Tolley, Bill Mauney, Vern Scott On 10 March 2017, Vessel Examiners from Flotilla conducted vessel exams for the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries. Examining vessels that day were Bob Leibert, Ben Crabtree, Dave Tolley, Bill Mauney, Vern Scott, and Heinz Rister. Bob Leibert, FSO-PB, with a VE crew has been providing this valuable service to the NC Fisheries for many years. The NC Fisheries is a lifeline organization for keeping Morehead City a fishing paradise that draws in thousands of tourists each year. The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries is responsible for the stewardship of the state's marine and estuarine resources. The division's jurisdiction encompasses all coastal waters and extends to 3 miles offshore. It is dedicated to ensuring sustainable marine and estuarine fisheries and habitats for the benefit and health of the people of North Carolina. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla is honored to play a small part in helping the NC Fisheries with their mission. [Submitted and photos by Dave Tolley] A Note to All Flotillas Vision is dedicated to recording the history of Division 20. Please submit articles and pictures of your events, missions, awards, classes, fellowship, etc. so that your part in the division's activities will be recorded. Even if you do not currently have a newsletter or a web site, having a member record your activities is an important part of our mission. Photographs and videos can do much to ensure that the efforts of your members are noted and respected. How will anyone know what your flotilla has accomplished if no one records the activities? Members with cameras are the first step to preserving your activities in support of the US Coast Guard. Such images are also strong tools for recruitment. Flotilla Awards and Activities At the 13 April 2017 flotilla meeting, Tom Labuda, FC, presented Steve Sayko his 7th Sustained Auxiliary Service Award. On 21 April 2017, Flotilla participated in the annual Earth Day event conducted at Sturgeon City in Jacksonville. Approximately students, teachers, and parents from various Onslow County elementary schools attended. Youth-related brochures and coloring books related to preserving the marine environment were provided to attendees, supplemented by friendly dialogue pertaining as to how the Coast Guard family assists in that arena. [Submitted by Steve Sayko] Photographers wanted: Bring a camera to all flotilla activities. SHOW is always better clearer and more concise than TELL. Help capture the history of your flotilla by photographing all our missions and submitting articles and photos to editor Don Lindberg at dlindberg1@embarqmail.com.

4 Flotilla Awards and Presentations Tony LoPinto Instructor Robert Tunney New Member Fran McDougal VE Jason Oliver, Rick Zablocki, Wilson Allsbrook plated. Wilson Allsbrook recognition plaque At the May meeting Andy Anderson, FC, presented members with the awards and certifications listed above. [Submitted and photos by Don Lindberg] Hayley Amanna Kayak Instructor/Guide Flotilla On 6 April, Flotilla 20-02's guest speaker Hayley Amanna instructed members on common misconceptions about paddling in coastal North Carolina waterways. She talked about how outfitters use education and hands-on instructions to help paddlers return home safely after a day out on the water. Hayley talked about different types of safety gear that a kayaker should be equipped with when on a kayak excursion. She also discussed the different types of personalities that are trying their hands at kayaking and paddleboarding. Unfortunately many of these newbies to the sport do not heed proper safety protocol. Hayley s lecture was informative, entertaining, and appreciated by all. Flotilla thanks Hayley Amanna for being our April meeting guest speaker. [Submitted and photo by Dave Tolley]

5 Flotilla PA Booth at the Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium Fountain at Aquarium Bob White showing enviromental display Get Hooked Fishing School: Saturday, 8 March 2017, Flotilla had a PA booth at the Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium. Vern Scott, FSO-PA, and crew Dave Tolley, Bob White, Ben Crabtree, Heinz Rister, Phil Amannna, Bob Leibert, and Mark Sonder successfully completed this important mission to promote a positive image of the United States Coast Guard. Members explained the services that the Auxiliary performs, such as conducting vessel safety checks, offering boating safety classes, and protecting the marine environment. [Submitted and photos by Dave Tolley] * * * Attention All New VEs * * * The USCGAUX National site and Safety Seal.net lists Vessel Examiners by ZIP Code so boat owners can request a VSC. To add your contact information to the site, go to and enter your information at the bottom of the page. Boat owners in your area can go to the site, find examiners in their area, and contact them via . If the majority of our VEs are listed here, we may increase our number of VSCs for the year. New USCG Risk Management Course The Coast Guard is rolling out the New Risk Management class in May The train-the-trainers class was five days long and we not only received the new material but also taught the class. Sue Lowe from Virginia and I were the only two Auxiliarists in the class along with 16 active-duty members from as far away as Guam and Hawaii. We had two folks from Headquarters and one OIC from a local station who gave us the new material and led us through the class before we taught it. [Submitted by Tom Blount]

6 Washington Marine Market On 29 April, Flotilla manned a PA booth at the Washington Waterfront s annual Marine Market. Our booth drew many visitors interested in safe boating, VSCs, and courses. Station Hobucken once again showed visitors a USCG vessel and explained their missions to visitors. Our thanks to Tom Marchisello, Alvin Powell, Robert Tunney, Jason Oliver, and Dale Benson for assisting with the booth. [Submitted by Don Lindberg; photos by Tom Marchisello] Division Anniversaries 2017 April FLYNN: WILLIAM D 13-Apr-12 5 Flotilla VSCs with USPS Collaboration Flotilla held a joint VSC operation with the power squadron at the Great Loop rally in New Bern. [Submitted by Bill Flynn] Recruitment Let s make 2017 a record-setting year for new members. Bring a friend to a meeting discuss the Auxiliary with neighbors get the word out that we exist, do very useful services, and enjoy ourselves in the process. One excellent way to get our message out is to address local service clubs (Rotary, Lions, Elks, Ruritans, VFW, etc.). Our PE classes and PA events are other great sources of new members.

7 Washington, NC, NSBW Proclamation Bill Templeton Joe Sevick Mayor Mac Hodges Andy Anderson Don Lindberg On 8 May, Washington Mayor Mac Hodges, accompanied by the Washington Flotilla and the Pamlico Sail and Power Squadron, signed a proclamation to support the goals of the North American Safe Boating Campaign and proclaim May 20-26, 2017 as National Safe Boating Week and the start of a year-round effort to promote safe boating. [Submitted by Don Lindberg; photo by Lynne Anderson] Flotilla Kids and Water Safety Fil Pagano simulates using a paddle to rescue someone who has fallen off a dock. 2 Fil Pagano gets down to their level to illustrate fitting a life jacket. The stalwart team of Bendicksen, Pagano and Genovese have been hard at work delivering the water safety message to school children in New Bern. Three Water and Kids Safety classes were presented to approximately 285 children on 5 April and another class was given to over 50 on 28 April. This is not only a very important program but is also incredibly rewarding. We have other requests for the presentation but need more members to help. You do not need to have the Instructor certification to participate. Please consider joining the team. Interested members should contact TJ at justdoittjphotos@gmail.com. [Submitted by Fil Pagano; photos by TJ Bendicksen] Report Your Hours It is essential for the good of the Auxiliary and for the good of the USCG as well, for all members to report their hours and missions. Only half of our members file their 7029s regularly. Aside from the flotilla records and the addition to the USCG budget that those hours represent, the mileage as recorded in the Annual Member Letter is usually deductible on income tax. Please file your 7029s regularly everyone benefits. Editor: Don Lindberg (252) / dlindberg1@embarqmail.com Approved for publication 13 May 2017