“Life’s a Beach for a Coast Guard Auxiliarist”

Volunteer members of the USCG renewed their oaths.

By Christine Schubert

Photos By Bonnie Amenita

2011 Change of Watch
Eaton's Neck Division 22

16 January 2011
Huntington, New York

Amid a cold, crisp but sunny afternoon at the Huntington Yacht Club, the 2011 Officers of Eaton's Neck Division 22 were sworn in with many auxiliarists receiving recognition and awards for their services to the Auxiliary. Master of Ceremonies, Bob Borneman lead the afternoon's program as guests overlooked the partially frozen, snow capped landscape of Huntington Harbor. This backdrop, not too long ago, saw many of our Auxiliarists patrolling Huntington's waters or participating in the crew program.

Present from the United States Coast Guard was Eric J. Doucette, Commander, Sector Long Island Sound, Response Department Head, and Steve Pollock, Commander of Eaton's Neck Coast Guard Station. They both spoke of the invaluable services Division 22 Auxiliarists have volunteered over the years to Coast Guard Station Eaton's Neck and the local communities of Huntington.

John Knipper, Commander (DCDR), highlighted the support of our Division to Coast Guard Station Eaton's Neck during 2010, such as galley crew, young seamen tutoring program, and carpentry/woodworking. Commander Knipper outlined some of his goals for 2011 which includes expansion of our Watchstander Program, AUXOP classes and participation in Air Ops.

Vincent T. Pica, District Chief of Staff (D1SR) who had a number of Change of Watch ceremonies across Long Island, stopped by and spoke about our Division's invaluable contribution to the waterways of Huntington. District Chief of Staff Pica expressed concerns over being at war simultaneously, ". . . as a major financial crisis has beset the country", and ". . . for [these] very grim reasons this is the Golden Age of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, and that as America's Volunteer Life-Savers, our stock goes up as budgets go down." These comments stress the vital role and services Auxiliarists offer and our increased need during these current, challenging times.

During the awards portion of the program, the following members of Flotilla 22-01 received awards:

1000 Hour Certificates Terry Kinch, Rick Kinch, Zac Steinbrecher, Tony Wuestman

PV – First Place                                Jeff Snyder
PA- First Place                                  Bob Borneman
PE – Second Place                          Terry Kinch
MT- First Place                                Dick Rothamel
Coxswain –Second Place                Dick Rothamel

Watchstander –Second Place        Tony Schwally
Division Appreciation Award           Rick Kinch
Flotilla Person of the Year              Dick Rothamel
All-star Award                                    Tony Schwally
Change-of-Watch Award                  Terry Kinch
Division Commander’s Award         Terry Kinch

CONGRATULATIONS!!

It goes without saying, that all in attendance enjoyed a wonderful, relaxing afternoon socializing with friends and enjoying the comradery being an Auxiliarist has to offer. A heartfelt thank you to Terry and Rick Kinch who worked hard all year long to make this event possible and an enjoyable success for all!

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the all-volunteer branch of the United States Coast Guard, established by Congress in 1939 to assist in promoting boating safety. Today, there are over 30,000 Auxiliary members nationwide.  For more information on Division 22 of the Auxiliary, visitwww.cgali.org. To find a Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla in your area, visit www.cgaux.org/units.htmland enter your zip code.

Divsion 22's objectives include boater education, vessel safety checks, operational patrols on the water and membership growth.