U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 78, Division 7 WATERWAYS 78 Volume XV, Issue 6 June 2012 Vancouver, Washington Inside this issue: 73 Years Strong From the Commander Awards and Recognition 2 3 The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary celebrated its 73rd anniversary on June 23, 2012. Each year, Auxiliary members volunteer their time helping the Coast Guard and communities across the nation. Around the District 4 Paddlesports America Class Tsunami Debris Reminders Calendar Check the Activities and Events Calendar for important dates 6 7 8 9 As an Auxiliary volunteer, did you know that you share a common volunteer spirit with a number of famous individuals? Actor Lloyd Bridges and CBS News anchor Walter Cronkite were both honorary commodores, helping to promote the Coast Guard Auxiliary and its missions. Other celebrities working with the Coast Guard Auxiliary include Dan Marino, Don Shula, Arnold Palmer, David Hasselhoff, Charlie Daniels, Roy Clark, and many others. There are over 30,000 Coast Guard Auxiliary members in the U.S. and its territories dedicating their time to savings lives, patrolling waterways, educating the public and supporting Coast Guard operational missions. The Auxiliary is 73 years strong because of you, the Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteer. *Excerpts from news release by Christopher Todd, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Affairs.
Page 2 Waterways 78 From the Commander Flotilla 78 s May membership meeting was a celebration. Early in the meeting Deputy Todd Baker served as guest speaker and member trainer. He detailed the facilities and services provided by Clark County Marine Patrol. He discussed vessel exams, important look for s, and how the Auxiliary can interface with the Marine Patrol. Officer Baker teaches the Legal Requirements of Boating chapter in collaboration with our teaching team for our monthly ABS class. At the close of the regular meeting AUX Bob Wilkinson was surprised by a slide show of photos of his life designed to honor his 15 years of service to the Auxiliary. The man responsible for bringing Bob into the Auxiliary, AUX Wayne Monroe, called Bob to the front of the room where he was given his certificate and a jacket embroidered with the Auxiliary logo, Flotilla 78 and 15 years. When the ceremony appeared to be over, and folks thought it time to head to the table to gobble delicious gourmet food brought by AUX Tammie Longpre, a second surprise was revealed. The slideshow continued, this time with photos of George and Gay Sipes. George and Gay earned 25 year certificates and were also honored with similar embroidered jackets. Bob, Gay, George thank you for your steadfast service. Indeed, thank you to all members who have remained dedicated to public service through active participation in Flotilla 78 and the USCGAUX. Six Flotilla 78 members traveled to Newport Oregon to attend a Paddlesports America class taught by paddle craft expert AUX Tom Murphy, Flotilla 54. We are excited about collaborating to develop and deliver a Paddlesports America class in the near future. The Portland Rose Festival 2012 is now in the books. Flotilla 78 members volunteered literally hundreds of hours and professional expertise to contribute to the success of this event. Also, yet again, thanks to flotilla instructors who spent a spring day inside supporting and instructing 20 students at our recent ABS class. To serve a worthy cause, work with good people, solve difficult problems, and to rest assured that your work benefits others is gratifying. Flotilla 78 members; know that your service is acknowledged, valued, and appreciated. Respectively Submitted, Hall Guttormsen Flotilla Commander 78
Volume XV, Issue 6 Page 3 Awards and Recognition District 1st Place Flotilla Program Visits for 2011 Flotilla 78 District 1st Place Flotilla Vessel Exams for 2011 Flotilla 78 District 2nd Place Meritorious Flotilla of the Year 2011 Flotilla 78 District 3rd Place Program Visits for 2011 Warren Cook District 1st Place Public Education for 2011 Gay Sipes District 2nd Place Public Education for 2011 George Sipes VE/RBSV Program Service Award with 'V' Device Warren Cook VANCOUVER, Washington Hall Guttormsen, Flotilla 78 Commander, presents Auxiliarist Warren Cook with an award at the May 2012 regular Flotilla meeting. Warren earned the District 3rd Place for Program Visits in 2011 and the VE/RBSV Program Service Award with V Device. (Photo by Greg Allen)
Page 4 Waterways 78 Around the District: Portland Rose Festival By Dana Bergdahl, FSO-PB Portland s annual Rose Festival brings visitors from all around the country to engage in a wide variety of festivities. One of the exciting festivities for visitor is Fleet Week. During Fleet Week, vessels from the United States Navy, U.S. Coast Guard and the Royal Canadian Navy arrive in Portland for a fourday visit where tours are available to the public daily. For over 80 years, Portland has been visited by various vessels. The first ship to visit the City of Roses was the USS Charleston back in 1906 and the Navy has continued annual visits since. In 1924, the Royal Canadian Navy began visiting Portland during the Rose Festival. Upon one s visit to the Tom McCall Waterfront Park, the mast of the USS Oregon can still be seen. The USS Oregon was decommissioned in 1925 but was at the Rose Festival prior to the decommissioning. The Royal Canadian Navy began visiting the Rose Festival in 1924 and continue to bring ships each year. The Battleship USS Oregon visited the Rose Festival in its final tour before decommissioning in 1925. The mast of the USS Oregon now resides in Tom McCall Waterfront Park. This year, the following vessels were present for visitors to tour: United States Navy USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) USS Ingraham (FFG 61) USS Dewey (DDG 105) Royal Canadian Navy HMCS Oriole United States Coast Guard USCGC Alert (WMEC-630) USCGC Henry Blake (WLM 563) USCGC Adelie (WPB 87333) USCGC Invincible II (WLB 52313) Historic Vessels PORTLAND, Oregon A Coast Guard patrol vessel guards the perimeter near the USS Dewey during Fleet Week 2012. (Photo by Jo McCollum, FSO-MT) Sternwheeler Portland PT 658
Volume XV, Issue 6 Page 5 The Coast Guard Auxiliary works directly with the US Coast Guard to escort and patrol during Fleet Week. Security must be maintained at all times during the event to keep the public from entering security perimeters. Division 7 had operations for both AM and PM shifts this year. This not only included patrols on the water, but also shore-side command and volunteers in the communications center. Auxiliary volunteers experienced rain, hail, lighting and debris in the river while carrying out the necessary duties to help make the Rose Festival a safe and successful event. The dedication by Auxiliary volunteers is a true act of proud traditions and worth missions. PORTLAND, Oregon Auxiliary facilities patrol during the 2012 Rose Festival. (Photo by Jo McCollum, FSO-MT) P O R TL A N D, Or eg on Auxiliarists Dan Milina, Carol Bobo and Todd Miller on patrol in the Willamette River during Rose Festival 2012. (Photo by Jo McCollum, FSO- MT)
Page 6 Waterways 78 Paddlesports America Class Taught to Flotilla 78 Members A hand-selected number of members from Flotilla 78 traveled to Newport, Oregon, on June 2, 2012, to participate in a Paddlesports America class which was taught by Tom Murphy, Auxiliarist from Yaquina Bay s Flotilla 54. Mr. Murphy was the first Oregonian to qualify as a paddle craft operator in the Pacific Northwest for the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Paddle craft deaths occur each year in the Pacific Northwest. A paddle craft operator such as Murphy can provide safety patrols on smaller bodies of water where motorized craft are not allowed. Boater safety and education for this community of boaters is an important mission for the Coast Guard Auxiliary. A similar class may be developed for District 7 in the future. NEWPORT, Oregon A paddle craft demonstration is given by Auxiliariist Tom Murphy from Yaquina Bay s Flotilla 54, a qualified paddle craft operator and American Canoe Association nationally certified Coastal kayak instructor. (Photo by Jo McCollum, FSO-MT) Visit us on the Web! Www.flotilla78.org
Volume XV, Issue 6 Page 7 Tsunami Debris In a photo provided by the U.S. Coast Guard the unmanned Japanese fishing vessel Ryou-un Maru drifts northwest in the Gulf of Alaska approximately 164 miles southwest of Baranof Island in April, 2012. (AP Photo/ Petty Officer 1st Class Sara Francis, U.S. Coast Guard) Tsunami debris from the tragic, powerful Tsunami that hit Japan in March, 2011, is rapidly finding its way to the Pacific Northwest coastline. Items can contain invasive species and possible hazardous materials. Auxiliarists are asked to keep an extra eye out for possible debris when visiting Pacific Northwest beaches. There are already hundreds of reports of items, including a boat, dock, trash and a number of miscellaneous items that have already arrived on U.S. shores as a result of the 2011 Tsunami. Tsunami Resources: NOAA is actively collecting information about tsunami debris and asks the public to report debris sightings to disasterdebris@noaa.gov. It is possible that containers with hazardous materials will wash ashore. Don't touch or try to remove the items. Call both the National Response Center at 1-800- 424-8802 and state EMD at 1-800-OILS-911 (1-800-258-5990). If boaters encounter large debris items still in the water, call the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802.
Page 8 Waterways 78 R E M I N D E R S Flotilla 78 Members Annual Picnic Flotilla 78 will have its annual picnic on Saturday, July 21, 2012, from 1300 to 1500 at the Coast Guard Base on Swan Island. The picnic will be held on the patio if weather permits or inside the training deck if no sunshine. Don t miss out on a tour of the USCGC Blue Bell, buoy tender, which will be given for those interested starting at 1100. Chicken and ribs will be provided by Flotilla 78 and members are asked to bring potluck dishes as follows: Last name beginning with A through L dessert Last name beginning with M through Z salad Come join other members for an afternoon of fellowship! RSVP to dana.bergdahl@email.wsu.edu
Volume XV, Issue 6 Page 9 Activities and Events Calendar June 23 About Boating Safely Class 0830 (4700 NE 78th St, Bldg. B-1, Vancouver) July 3 Flotilla Staff Meeting 1830 (Peachtree Restaurant, Hazel Dell) July 4 Fellowship Breakfast 0800 (Vancouver Plaza I-Hop) July 4 July 19 4th of July HOLIDAY (No Division Meeting) NO Flotilla 78 Meeting this month (WA Fish & Wildlife Bldg., Vancouver) July 21 ANNUAL PICNIC 1300 (Coast Guard Base Portland) (USCGC Blue Bell Tour @ 1100) July 28 About Boating Safely Class 0830 (4700 NE 78th St, Bldg. B-1, Vancouver)
Semper Paratus Semper Paratus 2012 OFFICERS Page 10 FC VFC IPFC FSO-CM FSO-CS FSO-HR FSO-FN FSO-IS FSO-MA FSO-MS Hall C. Guttormsen Gay Sipes George Sipes Warren Cook Dana M. Bergdahl Karen Harmon Lance Harmon Barry Owens Donald G. Lewallen Todd Miller FSO-MT Joann P. McCollum FSO-NS Wayne A. Monroe FSO-OP Donald G. Lewallen FSO-PA John F. Hilbrands FSO-PB Dana M. Bergdahl FSO-PE Karl Johnston FSO-PV Elizabeth W. Allen FSO-SR Barry Owens FSO-VE Tammie Longpre Know someone fluent in a foreign language? Introduce them to the Auxiliary Interpreter Corps Website The Auxiliary Interpreter Corps lends support to Coast Guard operational, administrative and public affairs missions. http://www.uscg.mil/auxiliary/interpreter.asp Confidentiality Notice of the Privacy Act The disclosure of the personal information contained in this publication is subject to the provisions contained in the Privacy Act of 1974.The subject Act with certain exceptions prohibits the disclosure, distribution, dissemination, or copying of any material containing the home address, home telephone numbers, spouses names, and social security numbers, except for official business. Violation may result in disciplinary action by the Coast Guard and/or civilian criminal sanction. Waterways 78 A Coast Guard Auxiliary District 13, Division 7, Flotilla 78 Publication is authorized IAW COMDTINST 1800.5D & COMDTINST M5728.2C. Published twelve times yearly and circulated to Auxiliary members of Flotilla 78 via mail, electronically and on the Flotilla 78 web site at www.flotilla78.org. Waterways 78 contains news of general interest, suggestions, and information for Coast Guard Auxiliary members. The views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Department of Homeland Security or the U. S. Coast Guard. Material is informational only and not authority for action. Internet release is authorized. Editor Dana M. Bergdahl Department of Homeland Security Coast Guard Auxiliary FSO-PB #78 PO Box 822740 Vancouver, WA 98682 503-828-8222 Photos and articles by the editor unless otherwise noted.