2008 Auxiliarist of the Year

Ms. Marilynn Leonard of District 13 Flotilla 42 based in Sequim port Angeles, Washington

Congratulations to Ms. Marilynn Leonard of District 13 Flotilla 42 based in Sequim port Angeles, Washington! She has been selected as the 2008 Auxiliarist-of-the-Year.

Ms. Leonard enrolled in the Auxiliary in June 2006 and immediately became an active participant demonstrating tremendous enthusiasm and devotion to duty.

She completed an extremely challenging battery of Auxiliary qualifications including vessel examiner, recreational boating safety program visitor, instructor, and two public affairs schools in her first year as an Auxiliarist.

Moreover, in the short time since her enrollment Ms. Leonard has dedicated over 5,400 hours of service across several Auxiliary mission areas.

Ms. Leonard has provided extensive direct support of Coast Guard operations, strategic planning, and maritime domain awareness programs. She has worked on a wide variety of area photo mapping projects used by many federal and state agencies, and she has been an integral part of leadership councils for both the District and Air Station Port Angeles.

Ms. Leonard now focuses much of her volunteer activity as the assistant public affairs officer for Air Station Port Angeles, providing full time public affairs support for the unit.

She also serves as manager of the Citizens’ Action Network (CAN) team for the Straits of Juan de Fuca, WA, a unique organization that provides the Coast Guard with invaluable maritime domain awareness by closely monitoring regional coasts and waterways.

Displaying outstanding initiative combined with remarkable commitment to recruitment and diversity, Ms. Leonard spearheaded establishment of an Auxiliary flotilla detachment in Forks, WA. As detachment leader, she created a comprehensive unit training program and personally recruited seven new members including key regional native American tribal leaders.

“I applaud Ms. Leonard for her exemplary performance and spirit of service,” wrote Rear Admiral Brian Salerno, USCG, Acting Deputy Commandant for Operations.

She will be recognized during ceremonies at the Auxiliary National conference in Chicago, IL on 29 August 2009.

The following Auxiliarists were finalists for selection and are congratulated for their outstanding performance and achievement: Mr. Daniel J. Garcia, Flotilla 21, D9-ER and Mr. Eleazar Escorihuela, Flotilla 74, D7 7

~GJA