Art onboard Ghost with old nametag.

Flotilla 11-1, Clearwater, Fla., had a wonderful opportunity to help a one-time member celebrate his 81st birthday. Mel Manning, Flotilla Commander of 11-1, received an email from Jean Field, whose father, Art Austin, would be celebrating his 81st birthday.

As Jean wrote in her email, "…I am attaching a photo of my father, Art Austin, who was an active Auxiliarist in Flotilla 11-1 in the 1970’s. He still has the many Search & Rescue (SAR) awards on his office wall. I remember attending his Aids to Navigation classes and Marine Engine classes as a young girl and spending many a weekend upstairs in the radio room at the Clearwater Marina."

"The reason I am writing all of you is to request a favor for my father’s birthday surprise. This weekend is Dad’s 81st. He is an active, spry man who fools many for his age. The past two months he has lovingly cared for my mother after her surgery, and for his birthday I hoped to give him a day on the water."

Jean also included a picture of her father aboard an Auxiliary facility proudly standing in his uniform of the day – tan! This was a regatta patrol and had an active duty member aboard. The facility was even flying a Coast Guard ensign.

This one email is all it took. After securing permission, Flotilla 11-1 swung into action. Besides needing two facilities to work the Ironman Challenge that morning, Flotilla Commander Manning was able to choose from three volunteer facility owners/coxswains. Ed Kasper, along with his wife, crewmember Teresa Kasper, crewmember Florence Sloan and trainee Helen Prokopchuk took Art and Jean aboard Auxiliary facility Ghost.

They performed their normal safety patrol, including a stop over at Station Sand Key, something they didn’t do in the 70’s. After the patrol, Art sent a letter to Ed praising his boat handling skills and for making it such a wonderful birthday present.

While the members of 11-1 are focused on completing the missions of the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary, they still retain their humanity and give a former member the thrill of a lifetime.