Auxiliary Pays Respect to Fallen Heroes on Memorial Day

Article and photos by Kay Lori, Commander Flotilla 75, D7, Ruskin, FL

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The Auxiliary Honor Guard

Flotilla 75, Ruskin, Florida, participated in the first flag raising at the local Riverside Club on Memorial Day.  Contacted by Auxiliarist Marvin Bayles of Flotilla 72, who recently moved to the community, five Auxiliarists attended the ceremony to represent Team Coast Guard.

Mr. Bob Russell, President of the Riverside Club Homeowner's Association, requested the members, who attended in uniform, raise the flags in honor of our fallen heroes.

Auxiliarists Bayles and Guy Mandigo started the ceremony with the raising of the American flag during which the national anthem was played.  Many of the community residents, members of the association, sang with heartfelt appreciation while the flag was raised and then lowered to half mast.  This follows the tradition of rendering honors to those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice.

Patrick Costello, Vice Commander of Flotilla 75, with Auxiliarists William Zimmerman, Walter Wagner, and James Smyth then proceeded to raise the flags from the five branches service; Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force flags.  The Fifth Flag had its own place of distinction, that being the Coast Guard flag, which was flown over the club’s new marina.

~DW