2023 WD-09

September 2023
Issue 03

CONTENTS
FSO-CS
SO-DV.............................................................................................................................................. Page 03
FSO-FN
FSO-IS.............................................................................................................................................. Page 05
FSO-PA............................................................................................................................................. Page 06
FSO-PB............................................................................................................................................. Page 07
FSO-PV............................................................................................................................................Page 08
Blessing of the Fleet.......................................................................................................................Page 08
Coast Guard Picnic......................................................................................................................... Page 09
District Meeting St. Louis................................................................................................................ Page 10
Uncle Sam.......................................................................................................................................... Page 11
Publication Deadlines
Articles sent no later than
2350 hours on:
1 March
1 June
1 September
1 December
Wing Dam is a quarterly publication for the members of
the Eighth Western Rivers Region, Flotilla 34 in Electronic
ONLY format and published on the flotilla web site.
Reprints of articles or pictures may be used in other
publication without written permission provided proper
credit is given. Your feedback and contributions would be
greatly appreciated. Please send your comments, articles
or feedback to: Barbara Rhoades, FSO-PB. Address and
email available at AUXOFFICER.
Page 2

Flotilla Staff Officer-CS
Barbara Rhoades
Nothing new to report. I will try to add a couple of new pictures
that Marilyn has sent in the next week or so.
Staff Officer-DV
Desiree Reinken
EDITOR’S NOTE: This came down from the division to share
with all members.
Hello everyone, Happy August! Please see the August diversity dates below!
August 1: Lughnasadh
This official Irish holiday and Gaelic festival marks the beginning of the important harvest
season. During this time, grains are gathered to bake bread and fruits are preserved to be
canned and used for the rest of the year.
August 4: Barack Obama’s Birthday
Born in 1961, the 44th president was the first African American elected to the office of President
in the United States in 2008. Some of his accomplishments include ending the Iraq War,
signing the Affordable Care Act, and implementing consumer protection acts.
August 9: International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
This day celebrates all indigenous people across the world and promotes understanding,
respect, and preservation of their traditions and cultures. It was first celebrated in 1995.
August 15: Feast of the Assumption
The Assumption is celebrated by Christians as the day when the Virgin Mary’s body ascended
to heaven after her death. There is a tradition of blessing the summer harvest on this monumental
holy day of obligation.
August 18: Lord Krishna’s Birthday
Lord Krishna is one of the most powerful incarnations of the Hindu god Vishnu. He is known as
the god of tenderness, love, compassion, and protection. His birthday is celebrated annually
with a festival.
August 26: Women’s Equality Day
This important day marks the adoption of the Nineteenth Amendment, which prohibits states
and the federal government from preventing women from voting. In 1972, President Nixon
issued the Proclamation for the first official Women’s Equality Day.
August 31: International Day of People of African Descent
A day designated by the United Nations to celebrate the contributions, achievements, and
cultural heritage of people of African descent worldwide. It aims to combat racial discrimination
and raise awareness of the challenges they face in society.
I know that summer is coming to an end. However, here is a list of fun activities around MO for
the rest of the month!
Continued on Page 4
Page 3

Continued from Page 3
12 Fun Things To Do In Missouri In August 2023 & Sunflower
Fields
https://travelinmissouri.com/things-to-do-in-missouri-in-august/
12 best festivals and events in Missouri in August. We’ve also included our favorite sunflower
fields. The is the best list of what to do in Missouri in August! travelinmissouri.com
Here are some fun August recipe
Make Irish Potato Candy The Star Of Your St. Patrick’s Day Spread
No spuds here. www.delish.com
https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a42641025/
irish-potato-candy-recipe/
Fried Green Tomatoes
It’s unthinkable to pass up a
plate of fried green tomatoes in the South, and it’s easier to learn
how to make this Southern recipe than you think. Get the recipe
for classic fried green tomatoes.
www.southernliving.com
https://www.africanbites.com/malva-pudding-chocolate/
Malva Pudding (Chocolate)
Malva Pudding Chocolate -A Decadent traditional South African Dessert that
you just have to try! Rich, Moist, Chocolaty and Oh so easy!
www.africanbites.com
Have a wonderful day,
Desiree Reinken, MSN, APRN, NP-C
SO-DV
Page 4

Flotilla Staff Officer-FN
Auxiliary Unit Bank Reconciliations
Tom Phipps
Auxiliary unit finance
officers should perform a
bank reconciliation each
month. The Auxiliary Unit Accounting System provides a bank
reconciliation page. The reconciliation starts by entering the
bank statement date for the month that the account is being
reconciled. Any deposits that have not been credited to the
account will be entered in the “Deposits in Transit” column. Any
checks that have not cleared the bank will be entered in the
“Outstanding Checks” column.
After entering any deposits in transit and outstanding checks, the
reconciliation will show an amount in the adjusted bank statement
balance and in the current book balance columns. These two
amounts should be the same.
The system will not retain the current bank reconciliation once a new reconciliation is started. The
finance officer should print out and save the bank reconciliation page each month. Then the monthly
bank reconciliations will be provided to the Audit Committee with the other financial records of the
unit.
In addition, the cash accounts page includes a Column H. This column should be used to reflect any
deposits or checks that have cleared the bank since the last bank statement was issued. The finance
officer will enter a check mark in the column. This will assist in completing the bank reconciliation.
Flotilla Staff Officer-IS
Barbara Rhoades
This year has been very light on hours. Several of you have faithfully sent in hours and all flotilla
meeting hours have been entered. We have done both workshops and they have been recorded.
VE hours can still be sent to me for entry.
Finally, if you do not wish to continue in a program, please complete the LOI (Letter of Intent) found
at https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=085&category=8wr-specific. This form will update
your file and prevent any REYR letters being sent for a program you are no longer involved in.
I am missing seven of our members regarding whether or not you have PPE. Be sure to send it so I
can pass it up the chain to complete the request I received.
You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.
C.S. Lewis
Page 5

Flotilla Staff Officer-PA
Kayaking at Drost Park
Marilyn Aten Flotilla 34 has had a Public Affairs Exhibit at the annual Kayaking
event put on by the Maryville Parks & Rec Committee in Drost
Park each summer. We have been invited the last four years to
share boating information to all who participate in this free event.
Area Kayaking associates and clubs along with the Army Corps of Engineers, Team River Runner
and The Alpine Shop provide the Kayaks, paddles, and life jackets to all participants.
Over 200 took part in the hourly sessions to learn about the sport and paddle the lake at Drost Park.
PA Table and Kayaking at Dorst Park. Photo courtesy of Marlyn Aten FSO-PA Flotilla 34
What a wonderful thought it is that some of the
best days of our lives haven’t even happened yet.
— Anne Frank
Page 6

Flotilla Staff Officer-PB
Barbara Rhoades
Articles: They don’t have to be long (note my CS article in this
newsletter) but they tell the members of what is happening in
the flotilla in your AOR.
We’ve all done something in the Auxiliary in the past couple of
months. Have you done something related to boating, the river, fishing, canoeing or kayaking? Any
of these things would make a good article. Did you read something about boats, boating, etc. you’d
like to share?
Think about how to get the word out to boaters about the rules of the road.
Everyone was sent a notice about the monthly 8WR Leadership Zoom on August 28th. There’s always
something new and exciting to learn there which would lead to an article.
Do you have a short story to tell? What’s been going on with your staff position in MT, PE, IS, PA,
DCDR, VCDR, ASC, VE, PV, FN and SR?
Marilyn tells us about her weekend experience:
Here’s my little short story on the Mississippi this Labor Day weekend.
A 30 foot Rinker Express Cruiser had just come about from the Illinois River into the Mississippi
River at the junction buoy. The captain notices a smaller say 16-footer runabout coming
up on his port side with five or six people on board. Suddenly the small boat cuts across the
bow of the Rinder. The Rinder had to cut back the throttle to avoid a collision. Of course, interesting
words were said, but the fact is the smaller boat was not following the rules of the road.
Is it time for more safe boating classes?
I hope this brain-storming has given you some ideas for your next article. Those for the December
Wing Dam are due 1 December, 2023.
Regimental Review April 27,2023.
Photo by: Petty Officer 3rd Matthew Thieme
Page 7

Flotilla Staff Officer-PV
Jeff Blair
After finally getting everything completed for my RBSPV
certification, I have been able to hit the ground running. As
summer nears its end, and fall and winter approach, now is the
time to establish partnerships with marinas and boat dealers
for next year’s summer recreational boating season.
I recently met with representatives of the
marina at New Athens, Illinois, located
along the Kaskaskia River. I had first spoken
with them earlier this year when I met with
members of the Army Corps of Engineers and
the Kaskaskia River Stakeholders Association.
They definitely have an interest in working
with the flotilla and the Auxiliary to promote
recreational boating safety. I mentioned
the vessel exam program and they seemed
interested in that as well.
I have identified several marinas and several
boat dealerships that I will be visiting in the near future.
The marina on the Kaskaskia River at New Athens.
Illinois. Photo courtesy of Jeff Blair.
Not much else at this time, but as we head into the cooler time of the year, I’ll be out working to
get more partners “on board”.
ARTICLES OF INTEREST
Auxiliary @ Blessing of the Fleet
By Marilyn Aten FSO-PA
For years the annual Blessing of the Fleet has taken place on the Mississippi River at the statue of
Our Lady of the Rivers in Portage Des Sioux each summer.
During many of those years, the Coast Guard Auxiliary has participated in the event with the
Division Commander of Division 3 being one of the judges for the best decorated boats. This year,
DCDR Larry Linnemeyer had the pleasure of being a judge. Awards are presented to the five best
decorated boats in a fun and festive ceremony held at Longshots Marina Tiki Bar.
The history of the Blessing of the Fleet goes back over 50 years as the result of the shrine of Our
Lady of the Rivers being built in Portage Des Sioux on the Mississippi River. When the town was
threatened with flooding the towns’ parish, headed by Rev. Edward Schlattmann, prayed together to
the Virgin Mary for the town to be spared from the perils of the rising waters.
Together, they coined the name Our Lady of the Rivers. History says the waters parted and traveled
just above and below the river town without entering it. To pay tribute to their Lady, the town people
and parishioners, Schlattmann, local businessmen and local boaters made a plan for the first
religious fiberglass statue.
The twenty-five-foot Statue of Our Lady of the Rivers sits on a twenty-five-foot base near the river.
It’s the fourth tallest statue of Mary in the world. Over the years it has served as a navigation aide
for the area.
Continued on Page 9
Page 8

Continued from Page 8
The annual blessing takes place at the foot of the statue where the local parish priest blesses the
fleet of boats as they pass by. It’s a highlight of the boating season when hundreds of decorated
pleasure craft and spectators come to the area to celebrate.
The Blessing of the Fleet works with area marinas to organize this event along with the Orchard
Farm Fire Protection District, Rivers Point Fire Protection District, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and
the Con Trios Boating Club to put on this event each year.
DCDR Larry Linnemeyer and Ann Marie Curlee
from Flotilla 3-10 at the Blessing of the Fleet. Photo
courtesy of Marilyn Aten, FSO-PA, Flotilla 34.
FL 34 at the Coast Guard Picinic
By Marilyn Aten FSO-PA
Coast Guard Day was celebrated on Friday, August 4. It’s a day for all Coast Guard members including
Auxiliarists and retired to come together for a big picnic. Once again it was held at Tri-Township
Park in Troy, IL.
Flotilla 34 had several members in attendance including Larry Miller, Marilyn Aten, and Steve Liddy.
It’s always a fun day to meet and greet many of the Coast Guard that the flotilla has had an opportunity
to work with. Our own Steve Liddy is the 8WR District Auxiliary Sector Coordinator or ASC. He
frequently meets with the Sector Commander CAPT Andrew Bender and his staff to learn how the
Auxiliary can assist the Coast Guard at Sector.
Page 9

District Meeting in St. Louis
By Marilyn Aten D-AA
The Eighth Western Rivers Region of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will hold is annual Fall Business
Meeting in St. Louis at the Marriott St. Louis Airport Hotel on Saturday, 16 September at 0900. The
uniform of the day is Tropical Blue or Business Casual.
All members of this 16-state district are invited to attend. This is an opportunity for everyone to meet
district leadership and Coast Guard officers working with the Auxiliary.
We recently welcomed a new DIRAUX, CDR Adam Cenowich who will be
with us at the meeting. Also present will be the OTO, CWO2 Dan Garver
along with a representative from SUMR and the DNACO Atlantic West
Patrick Feighery.
This gives everyone an opportunity to learn about the many Auxiliary
missions going on throughout the district.
Following the Business Meeting the Past Division
Commanders Association, PDCA, will host a lunch.
The program will be the “Thank you for your Service
Quilts” made from Auxiliary uniforms that are no longer
serviceable. As many of you know, our own Barbara
Rhoades has been making these quilts.
After lunch, there will be training on the new Audit Committee Guide. Saturday
evening will be the Commodore’s Dinner with Guest Speaker, CAPT Kristi
Bernstein, Commander Sector Lower Mississippi River.
If you’d like to attend the lunch or dinner you can register for meals at the district website. Click on
Fall D-Train 2023. Welcome to the District 8WR Web Site (uscgaux.info)
With the new day comes new
strength and new thoughts.
— Eleanor Roosevelt
Page 10

The real-life Uncle Sam is actually a meat packer who supplied food to troops
during the War of 1812. The food came in barrels with the initials U.S. but the
troops often joked it stood for Uncle Sam instead of United States. The rest is
history. This picture is known to be the only photograph of the real Uncle Sam
and was believed to be taken somewhere around the 1850s.
Page 11