Saturday, May 9, 2009

National Safe Boating Resolution

Austin, TX
Last May 6 a group of Auxiliarists led by Captain James R. Montgomery, DIRAUX , District 8 Coastal Region Commodore Larry Richmond and District Captain-West Roy L. Pell visited the Texas Capitol to collect National Safe Boating Week Resolutions and Proclamations from the Texas State Government.

State Representative Trey Martinez Fisher from San Antonio, Texas introduce a proclamation making May 16-May 22 "Safe Boating Week in Texas" throught the State House of Representatives.

Senator Leticia Van De Putte from San Antonio, Texas intoduced a resolution through the State Senate Calling May16-May 22 "Safe Boating Week in Texas waters."

Captain James R. Montgomery, DIRAUX, District 8CR COMO Larry Richmond, 2009 NSBW District Chairman, ADSO-PA Daniel Joyce, Division 7 Commander Mike VanderMate and Division 10 Vice Commander Lee Ellershaw were introduced on the Senate Floor and the resolutions was read by Senator Van De Putte.

The Texas House Photographers took pictures of our group in front of the Governor's Public Conference Room led by District Captain-West Roy L. Pell and Distrist State Liasion Dr Chuck Maricle from Division 6, who used his connections in state government to make this happened. The Governos was to busy to join us.

We had lunch in the Capitol Cafeteria and proceeded to the City of Austin to get a proclamation from the Mayor that was arranged by 75 FSO-PA Cody Caughlin. The Mayor was out of town and was represented by Councilman Mike Martinez from the Austin City Council who read the proclamation and took pictures with group.

It was a very successful day for NSBW and a great team effort from a great group of Auxiliarists and Gold side from D8CR.

Frank Dannenberg, Jr. DSO-PA 8CR

Monday, May 4, 2009

Three Rivers,TX May2, 2009
Division 7 had 46 of its members show up for their Vessel Safety Check Extravaganza this last Saturday at Choke Canyon Lake.

It was a sunny, windy day at the lake complete with Bass clubs competing for prices and local catfishermen trying to land a good meal.

Division 7 had set up a number of booths with games for kids and adults and with plenty of safe boating literature. There were visitors from the Gold side with Captain Robert Paulison from Sector Corpus Christi coming by in the early afternoon and enjoying lunch with us before going back to Corpus Christi for a night parade.

On the water we had three Vessel Facilities and one PWC Facitlity patrolling the lake and they closed the day with two SARs and a number of Auxiliarists completing requirements to stay current.

Two new members got to go on patrols for the first time and got hook on the feeling of being a Guardian on the water.

We left the ramp around 4 PM with only 17 Vessel Safety Checks. We had a problem with the Bass Boats in the tournament. They were in a hurry going out to fish and left the ramp fast to weigh their catch. They were the majority of the boat on the lake that day and did not have time to talk safety.

The best of the day was yet to come-BBQ Ribs and Chicken at the Duck Camp! Dona Lore, the organizer of the event, pulled out all of the stops for a great evening of fun, prizes and Blue Grass Music. She had acomodated many of us at the Duck Camp. Some of us had inside rooms with bunk beds and Plasma TVs and outside she had beautiful trailers that acomodate two couples each. She had also arrange special rates for others that preferred a hotel/motel settings for the night.

Frank Dannenberg, Jr. DSO-PA 74 8CR USCGAUX

Over all it was a first class event with a great bunch of Guardians!

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

2009 Fiesta flambeau Parade

Flotilla 74 represented the USCG Auxiliary in the Flambeau Night Parade in San Antonio, TX

Last Saturday, April 25 a team from Fl 74 and their guest of honor, Mr. and Mrs. Jack Granger from DirAux rode one of the flotilla's facility in the 2.6 miles parade route.

The Granger's wore casual attire representing the boating public with three Auxiliarists in their ODUs and their life jackets guarding the boating couple. The towing vehicle was driven by DSO-PA, Frank Dannenberg, Jr. and QE Fred Dayeso from Fl74 was riding shotgun also in their ODUs.

The vehicle had on each back door New Bilingual Magnetic Logos, "WEAR IT!/ PONTELO! and the USCGAUX Magnetic Logos on the front doors.

The theme for the parade this year was "Las Vegas." Two beautiful banners were donated by RED HOT SIGNS of San Antonio and were tape to the sides of the boat with the message,"Do Not Gamble With Your Life! WEAR IT! PONTELO!" A nice life jacket logo separated the Spanish and English message.

The crowd of over 500,000+ expressed their love to the men and women of the United States Coast Guard and the Auxiliary. It was a beautiful evening full of fun and color.

What an easy fun way to take our message to over 1/2 million people in a couple of hours at a cost of around $25 dollars including dinner.

Frank Dannenberg, Jr. DSO-PA 74 8CR USCGAUX

Friday, April 17, 2009

Proclamations for National Safe Boating Week

National Safe Boating Week is right around the corner (May16-22) and we want to extend an invitation for the Dallas District Conference in September to any Auxiliarist, who initiates the issuing of a proclamation or resolution from any government entity that proclaims May 16-May 22, Safe Boating Week in their area of operations.

The proclamations or resolutions for NSBW then must be sent to the NSBW District 8CR Chairman, Dan Joyce by June 15. These proclamations and resolutions will be used on a display at the Dallas Conference in September.

Any Auxiliarist sending in a proclamation or resolution will be sent an invitation to the Hospitality Room at the Dallas Conference.

The Commodore and other District leaders. You will be recognized and thank for your efforts and contribution to the District's effort in this year's National Safe Boating Week Activities.
We will take our pictures with the proclamations and resolutions on display and they will be used for an article on the Navigator.

This is just one way to thank you for your efforts in promoting this year's NSBW. You need to start this Monday because the window of opportunity is closing fast.