In memory of Coast Guard crew CG-1705

This Friday, 6 NOV 2009, a memorial service will be held at Air Station Sacramento to honor the 7 Guardians and 2 Marines lost in the tragic mid-air collision off the coast of California.
We members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary should all take a minute to remember the sacrifices made by all members of Team Coast Guard, both past and present.

This Friday fly a Coast Guard flag if you have one or fly your National Ensign in remembrance.
The National Ensign will remain at half mast at all Coast Guard Stations until Friday.




Lieutenant Commander Che J. Barnes; age 35

Lieutenant Adam W. Bryant; age 28

Chief Petty Officer John F. Seidman; age 43

Petty Officer Second Class Carl P. Grigonis; age 35

Petty Officer Second Class Monica L. Beacham; age 29

Petty Officer Second Class Jason S. Moletzsky; age 26

Petty Officer Third Class Danny R. Kreder II; age 22.

The names of the missing Marines are Major Samuel Leigh, age 35, and First Lieutenant Thomas Claiborne, age 26.
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Division 16 Picnic - Huge Success

What do you get when you combine a torrential downpour of rain, good friends, and plenty of great food? The Annual Divison 16 Picnic! We had one of the best turnouts in years and thank goodness it was indoors. We had so much rain that day that the county fair was cancelled, but nothing dampened the spirits or the appetites as we enjoyed an afternoon of food and fellowship. This year we were pleased to have 48 people in attendance and we're already making plans for next year.

Coast Guard Launches New Recruitment Campaign

In its first new recruitment campaign since "The Shield of Freedom" in 2002, the Coast Guard has a new recruitment slogan: "Born Ready". Here is a postcard mailer and a video commercial to give you a taste of the new concept.

For more information, visit the Coast Guard recruiting website: http://www.gocoastguard.com/

Honoring Our Coast Guard & Navy Veterans

What an honor it was to play Taps for the memorial service held by the crew of the USS Savage at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. The USS Savage, although a Navy ship, was manned in WWII by an all Coast Guard captain and crew. Three of the veterans attending were Coast Guard and these Navy vets treated them with the utmost honor and respect. After ringing a bell for each of their deceased shipmates the CG vets threw a wreath into the water of the lake behind the pavilion as buglers David Cox USCGAux, and Maj. Andy Addison, USAF (Ret) played Echo Taps. Many Coast Guard Cutters and CG manned Navy ships participated in WWII action.
For more on Coast Guard history go to: http://www.uscg.mil/history/articles/h_AtlWar.asp

Wreaths Across America

This December we will once again participate in a very meaningful ceremony at the Chattanooga National Cemetery called Wreaths Across America. Last year Terry Siler laid the ceremonial wreath representing the US Coast Guard. We will bring this up for discussion at our next division meeting to see how we might want to help out this year. Anyone wanting to sponsor a wreath for $15 each, contact Terry Siler for details.

For more information: http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/

Video from the Aux National Conference in Chicago

US Coast Guard Rear Admiral Sally Brice-O'Hara speaks about changes facing the USCG from USCG Auxiliary on Vimeo.

Use of Weather Radar for Patrols

This time of year a great safety addition to any patrol is the use of internet weather radar. If you are using a land based radio guard or have wireless internet access on our facility, keeping an eye on the radar will help keep you advised on what's over the hill. Here are several suggestions:

Metro radar:
http://www.intellicast.com/National/Radar/Metro.aspx?location=USTN0084

Regional radar (1km loop):
http://www.intellicast.com/National/Radar/OneKM.aspx?animate=true

Southeast loop:
http://www.intellicast.com/National/Radar/Current.aspx?location=USGA0132&animate=true