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Saturday Morning General AssemblyArticle & photos by Mel Borofsky, Editor, SITREP |
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| Rear Admiral Sally Brice-O'Hara |
Saturday Morning, August 23
National Commodore Steve Budar reconvened the assembly at 0800. A quorum was confirmed.
The keynote speaker of the morning, Rear Admiral Sally Brice-O’Hara, USCG, was introduced. RADM Brice-O’Hara is the Deputy Commandant for Operations, USCG, Coast Guard HQ, Washington, DC. She oversees the strategic integration of operational missions and the optimization of policy development and mission execution consistent with the Service’s national priorities. She previously was the Commander of the Fourteenth Coast Guard District where she managed more than 12.2 million square miles of the central Pacific Ocean.
Following her greetings, RADM Brice-O’Hara said, “the Coast Guard Auxiliary has always been a vital part of my 33 years of Coast Guard service.” She complimented NACO Budar for his motivation and she congratulated the newly elected National Board. She urged them to “be connected, integrated and communicating with the Coast Guard as we move into the future.” “The future is bright for us,” she said.
Even as we move into the modernization process, “continue to do the things that you do, we and the boating public need your services. The Auxiliary is the reminder to the public that boating safety is always needed on the water,” she said.
She congratulated the Auxiliary recruiters who helped the population of the organization rebound over the past few years. She also congratulated the spouses of Auxiliarists who support and encourage; “they are a very special part of our noble service,” she said.
She thanked the Auxiliarists who “stepped up” to be Auxiliary Sector Coordinators. “They are important to the stability and continuity of the Sector. They know the geography… and many important persons in the area,” she said.
While discussing “Operational Readiness” she described the Auxiliary as being a major part of the team. “They can be counted on, whatever the hazard, anytime, any place,” she said.
The Auxiliary is moving forward in the Coast Guard’s modernization process. “You have realized the need to insure that you are organized regionally with the Coast Guard, already starting to conform to the terms and rank (of office) used in the Coast Guard,” she said. “Our efforts are not being done in haste; everything is being done very thoughtfully so that we have a new organization that serves us all well. It is strengthening the unity of command, it is the right way forward and it has the approval of the Commandant and the senior flag officers,” she said.
She emphasized that “change is a reason to learn- keeping us nimble,” she said.
RADM Brice-O’Hara said that she was pleased the active duty Coast Guard now includes recognition of Auxiliarists in their national recognition program. An Auxiliarist is recognized along with the officers and enlisted personnel during the annual ceremony in Washington.
Mr. Malcolm Dunderdale, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary presented a demonstration of an in-home electronic training tool for coxswains and boat crews of his organization. At a cost of $300,000 the patented system was very impressive; it featured the “dashboard” of an operating vessel in computerized “real time.”
Included in the display were a radar screen, GPS, chart plotter and VHF radio. When operated at home, the system computer keeps track of an individual’s progress, weaknesses and failures. The scenario played out simulates many variables, ones that a coxswain could experience in everyday on the water missions. As with other simulators, emergencies and weather variables are programmed into the software. Students are tested a various intervals and are not allowed to progress unless they can demonstrate satisfactorily vs. given standards.
The assembly loudly applauded the Canadian effort and the demonstration prompted many bits of conversation during the break.
Mr. Jeff Hoedt of the Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety, USCG HQ, gave remarks concerning the use of Life Jackets and the impact of their usage on boating statistics. He specifically described a few surveys that were set up to monitor life jacket usage. He said that his office was encouraged by the statistic that while the number of recreational boaters has doubled over the last ten years, the fatality rate has decreased from about 1,700 per year to less than 700. He credited “public awareness through educational programs like those offered by the Auxiliary.” He announced that The Office of Boating Safety is now merged with the Office of Auxiliary at HQ and is under the direction of the Chief Director of Auxiliary, CAPT Mark Rizzo.
Commodore recognized the National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) for fifty years of service to the boating public and continued support of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Accepting the award were Ms. Ruth Woods and Mr. Virgil Chambers of the NSBC..
Greetings and comments were offered by Ms. Ruth Woods from BoatUS on the works of the National Safe Boating Council. She was joined by Mr. Virgil Chambers, the organization’s National Director in presenting the NSBC’s “Safe Boating Hall of Fame” award to Commodore Carolyn Belmore (D1-NR) for her many years of distinguished service to the boating community and service organizations. Auxiliarist William Griswold (D7) received the same honor at a NSBC ceremony earlier this year (see Past Featured Story on SITREP). It was the first time that two individuals from the same organization were recognized and inducted into the Safe Boating Hall of Fame.
Additional awards were presented, which will be covered in a separate article in SITREP.
Ms. Anne Brengle, President of the Coast Guard Foundation offered remarks describing the ongoing functions of the Foundation. She described the many projects that date back to the early days of the Coast Guard. The fund raising projects provide funds for their Coast Guard family benefits. Many of their projects benefit the youth dependents of active duty Coast Guard. She added that she was pleased to add the Auxiliary to their list of partners following the signing, yesterday, of the letter of intent.
Mr. Dante Laurino, Chairman of the National Search and Rescue Competition (NSAR) presented an overview of the competitions to be held October 2 to the 5th at Cape May, NJ. There will be seven competitive events, similar to those used in the past at the International competitions.
Another time honored tradition followed, the recognition and presentation of a special gift to the Commodores who has completed their terms of service. Each Commodore was recognized separately and each had an opportunity to comment and offer thanks. NACO Budar, as he presented them with their life membership certificate, thanked them and offered a “job well done” to each.
The retiring Commodores (COMO) are:
COMO Thomas Venezio, District 1-SR
COMO Robert Amort, District 5-NR
COMO Stephen McElroy, District 5-SR
COMO Allen Brown, District 7
COMO Thomas Mallison, District 8-ER
COMO Jackson Gumb, District 8-WR
COMO William Crouch, District 8-CR
COMO Victor Connell, District 11-NR
COMO Robert Sternzenbach, District 11-SR
COMO Bruce Miller, District 13
COMO George Berkley, District 14
COMO Michael Robinson, District 17
There was no old or new business to come before the Board and the meeting was adjourned.
~HRW