THE COMPASS ROSE. Flotilla 15-3 Change of Watch, December 13, In This Issue: Flotilla Change of Watch, new Bridge Officers and COW highlights

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1 Flotilla 15-3 Ocala, Florida 7th District THE COMPASS ROSE Volume 2, Number 1 January 2012 Charles Truthan, Flotilla Commander Mary Patton, Publications Officer & Editor USCGGAux15.3@gmail.com Flotilla 15-3 Change of Watch, December 13, 2011 In This Issue: Flotilla Change of Watch, new Bridge Officers and COW highlights Photos from the Flotilla COW Flotilla Commander s Column 2012 Flotilla Staff Officers (FSO) list The Flotilla 15-3 Change of Watch ceremony and dinner was held on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at the home of Chuck and Joyce Truthan in the Leeward Air Ranch. Guests included Craig Elliot, Commander, Division 15, Paul Pelletier, Vice Division Commander, Larry Berman, Immediate Past Division Commander, BMC Christopher Hinote, USCG, Officer in Charge (OIC) Station Yankeetown, BM2 Jared Morelli, USCG, flotilla Auxiliary Liaison Officer (AUXLO) and Terri Gannett Hopkins, daughter of founding members, John and Pat Gannett.. After dining on a fabulous buffet dinner of ham and fried chicken with many wonderful side dishes, Craig Elliot introduced the current Bridge Officers and thanked them for their service to the Auxiliary. He then requested BMC Hinote, USCG, and incoming Bridge Officers Charles Truthan and Andrew Render to Andy Render and Chuck Truthan receive congratulations from BMC Christopher Hinote, USCG, OIC, Station Yankeetown. Craig Elliot, Division 15 Commander, looks on. join him for the swearing-in ceremony. Following the swearing-in of the new Bridge, the Flotilla Staff Officers for 2012 were asked to come forward and were sworn in by Chuck Truthan, new FC. LaVonne Robinson, offered some comments on her two-year term as flotilla commander and presented Certificates of Appreciation to the 2011 flotilla staff officers. A special presentation was made to retiring founding members John and Pat Gannett. They received plaques for their 25-plus years in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and their tireless support of the auxiliary and Flotilla 15- Some of the new Flotilla Staff Officers who were sworn in at the COW. Photo Credit: Mary Patton FSO- Photo credit Mary Patton, FSO-PB 3, Ocala. Their daughter, Terri, told several amusing anecdotes about the Gannett s water-borne exploits over the years. Following the awards ceremony, the newlysworn in bridge officers offered their vision of the flotilla s goals for 2012, which included increasing membership and facilities and public education. Buffet desserts were next on the agenda with lots of fellowship and discussion held by individual members. The Change of Watch ceremony was adjourned at or about 10:00 pm.

2 December Flotilla 15-3 Change of Watch Photos 2 New (returning to AUX) member, Bob Seguin, and Andy Render, VFC. Photo Credit: Mary Patton, Eileen Phillips and Charlotte Hendricks enjoying the party. Tyke Phillips, George Hendricks, and Shon Limor John and Pat Gannett receive lifetime achievement plaques from Vonnie Robinson, out-going FC. Shon Limor and Randy Patton Tyke Phillips and Guenther Noder.

3 More Flotilla 15-3 Change of Watch Photos 3 Chuck Truthan, newly sworn-in as FC, remarking upon what he hopes to accomplish in Andy Render, new VFC, stating his goals for Fellowship at the Change of Watch ceremony Enjoying the fellowship and good food. Food table, left, cake, center, and dessert table, right. Photo Credits: Mary Patton, FSO-PB

4 Flotilla 15-3 Certificate Recipients at the Change of Watch 4 BM2 Jared Morelli, USCG and AUXLO to Flotilla 15-3, receives a Certificate of Appreciation from Vonnie Robinson. Joyce Truthan receives a Certificate of Appreciation from Vonnie Robinson. George Hendricks receives a Certificate of Appreciation from Vonnie Robinson. Chuck Truthan receives his Certificates of Appreciation from Vonnie Robinson. Photo: Mary Patton, FSO-PB Mary Patton Receives a Certificate of Appreciation from Vonnie Robinson. Photo Credit: Randy Patton, FSO-HR Tom Spangler and George Hendricks show off their new, smaller, easily portable Free Vessel Safety Check signs.

5 5 Ocala Flotilla 15-3 For more information, please visit our website: Flotilla Commander s Column Who We Are The Coast Guard s philosophy is to be SEMPER PARA- TUS (ALWAYS READY) against all threats and all hazards. The Coast Guard Auxiliary is an integral part of that philosophy and the Coast Guard Forces. We conduct safety patrols on local waterways, assist the Coast Guard with homeland security duties, teach boating safety classes, conduct free vessel safety checks for the public, as well as many other activities. The Auxiliary has members in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa and Guam. Welcome to the beginning of a new year of service to our country and the US Coast Guard and USCG Auxiliary! My two primary goals for our flotilla this year are: 1. Target recruitment activities to the Lake Weir residents, 2. Encourage completion of all Crew member trainees training. The first goal will fall mostly upon our FSO-PA, but, it will rely upon every member, especially VE s while performing VSC s at Lake Weir, to talk up joining the USCG Auxiliary. I d like to see that every member has a supply of pamphlets about joining the Auxiliary. By focusing our efforts around Lake Weir, we can hopefully establish members with assets on the lake. They will then be able to spread the RBS word and this should increase our PE activities for It will also increase assets available on the lake for training purposes, although this will require completion of the second goal in 2012 and then having some of the new crew advance to Coxswain! Accomplishment of the second goal is going to rely upon the continued cross-flotilla training we get with 15-5 s Larry Berman and 15-1 Crystal River flotilla. If you are unsure who to contact, start with FSO-MT Andy Render. He ll get you in direct contact with them! We have a lot of members interested in operations, but not enough facilities to be effective. We also want more members interested in other RBS activities, such as outreach to the schools and public speaking. This will not happen overnight, nor will it occur without the efforts of EVERYONE in our flotilla! If you have suggestions, comments, complaints (with possible corrective actions!) please do not hesitate to contact me! Thank you for your confidence by electing me as FC. I will do my best to not let anyone down. Semper Paratus! Chuck Photo Credit: US Coast Guard Auxiliary Archives Flotilla 15-3 Officers for 2012 Chuck Truthan, FC Randy Patton, FSO-MA Andy Render, VFC Andy Render, FSO-MT Vonnie Robinson, IPFC Andy Render, FSO-OP Shon Limor, FSO-AV Chuck Truthan, FSO-PA Michael Casey, FSC-CM Mary Patton, FSO-PB Chuck Truthan, FSO-CS Samuel Lauff Jr, FSO-PE Vonnie Robinson FSO-FN Dolores Spain, FSO-PV Randy Patton, FSO-HR Joyce Truthan, FSO-SR Dolores Spain, FSO-IS George Hendricks, FSO-VE