Mr and Mrs Bert Haines

Only four years ago Auxiliarist Bertram Haines of Flotilla 51, Riviera Beach, FL, retired from active Auxiliary duty, but he still occasionally attended monthly flotilla meetings.  On Saturday, November 21,2005, he turned 100 years of age.  Little did he know when he arrived at the regular flotilla meeting with his wife on his arm that he was to be recognized.  The meeting featured “Bert's Century Celebration.”

In attendance were over 100 Auxiliarists and civilians who braved the evening's showers to pay their respects and show their appreciation.  Men and women alike, dressed in tropical blue uniforms, replete with all the bells and whistles, some from the active duty, also in their tropical blue uniforms, turned Newcomb Hall at Riviera Beach into a ballroom suitable for an American patriot.

Many notables tendered special honors. Congressman Mark Foley came up from Washington to congratulate Bert for his service of 31 years to the Auxiliary.  Admiral Brian Peterman sent his personal Challenge Coin along with his thanks; and with praise of his own.  CDR Kevin Crawley, Director of Auxiliary, D7, presented Bert with a citation from the Admiral.  

Captain James Maes, USCG, of Sector Miami presented a formal letter "suitable for framing," along with his Challenge Coin, a token of very special meaning to the giver and more so to the recipient.

From left to right: Congressman Foley, Mayor Brown, Aux Haines, CAPT Maes, CDR Crawley

Senior Chief Leavy of Station Lake Worth presented Bert with a surprise gift on behalf of the Station personnel.  Capping the honor presentations, Auxiliarist Rhonda Hebert and Edward Maclaren presented Bert with a beautifully crafted plaque commemorating his service to Flotilla 51.  The Mayor of Riviera Beach, Michael Brown, was there, as was Auxiliarist Gene Kahn, Rear Commodore East.

For those of us unaware of what the Challenge Coin represents one need only go back to World War I, when a coin given as a good luck token saved a downed American pilot from being shot as a German spy by proving that he was an American.  This practice evolved into a formal practice adopted by all services and this coin is now proof of the holder's value to his service.  Formal rules state that if a donor is presented (challenged) with the coin by a recipient and does not show his own, he must buy a round of drinks for all present. This is now part of Coast Guard lore.

In 1970 Bert left Philadelphia, where he worked for Ford Aerospace for 35 years, and moved to Florida.  He joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary in 1971.  Over the years he has served in many capacities.  After being elected Flotilla Commander in 1979 he went on to become President of the Flotilla Commanders Association of Division 5.  He was a flotilla staff officer for 11 years and division staff officer for 19 years.

-SK