May 9, 2008
To all Members from the Division
Commander
Spring has sprung as they say.
The shrink-wrap is coming off the boat and the cat is spending
more time patrolling the dock in search of a sunny spot to nap.
The latest news is that I am no longer the Division 5 Captain.
I am the Division Commander. Walter Belushko is now the Division
Vice Commander. A change was made to Auxiliary titles to align
us with the gold side. For example, a Coast Guard Commander
has three stripes on his shoulder boards. An Auxiliary Division
Captain had three stripes on his shoulder boards. The District
Vice Commodore is now Chief of Staff, which makes sense because
he is in charge of the District staff officers. Rear Commodores
are now District Captains. Flotilla Commanders are still flotilla
commanders.
Division 5 is gearing up for the 2008 patrol season. I hope
you are all attending your flotilla meetings and keeping up
to date on our activities. Our importance to the Coast Guard
increases all the time. I meet a lot of the officers and enlisted
men and they are always telling me how much they appreciate
our help. We need every member to be involved in one or more
of our programs.
A new initiative this year is Paddle Smart, a program to reach
canoers and kayakers. In the past, our VE and PE efforts have
been directed to power boaters and sailors. However, looking
at statistics for on the water mishaps, it turns out that 39%
of drownings involve canoers and kayakers. And 90% of them were
not wearing a lifejacket! We have already had one Paddle Smart
event, a booth at the 2008 Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak
Race on April 27. We have another event in Framingham on June
8. If you have some experience with canoes and/ or kayaks give
Ray Ellis a call. Ray is the Division 5 PaddleSmart Coordinator.
His phone number is 978-663-7784. Your flotilla should also
be planning some events in support of Paddle Smart.
Vessel Examiners can be involved in Paddle Smart as well. Canoes
and kayaks can now be inspected and awarded a decal. Contact
you FSO-VE for information.
If you have an interest in the Auxiliary aviation program, the
District ADSO Aviation Training, Eric Wickberg will be giving
a short presentation on Air Operations at the Division meeting,
22 May at 1930 at ISC Boston.
Herb Kugell, our SO-PB, passed away on Tuesday, May 6. He was
a valued member of Flotilla 53 and a true asset to the Coast
Guard Auxiliary. And he was a good friend. We will miss him.
Herb was in the process of creating an E-Newsletter for the
Division. Would anyone like to take that over?
Jim Healy
Division Commander 5
617-568-9908
