First and Foremost - US Coast Guard Auxiliary, First District ...

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By Benjamin D. Pride, ADSO-PB Photo provided by Sherry Kisver, DCAPT SECNY-S
When the icy winds of January rattle through the trees, I have found that there is no better place to
snap you back to the balmy days of boating season, than among the gleaming hulls and inspiring exhibits
of the New York National Boat Show.
On Sunday, 23 JAN 2011, my wife, Jane Pride, SO/PA, Division 14 and I, the contingent from Flotilla
14-6, had the opportunity to attend the show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center, man the Public
Affairs Booth and distribute materials to the show attendees. This was the last day of the First
Southern District’s PA Program at the Boat Show, and I was astounded by the Auxiliary turnout and
the activity that was taking place at the event.
Between the hours of 1000 and 1400 on 23 JAN, we had the privilege to work with 10 other dedicated
volunteers from three other flotillas.
Populating the booth were Mr. George Wirthmann, Flotilla 20-4, Ms. Elizabeth Lund, FC, 14-4, Mr.
Jack Lund, DCDR, Division 14, Mr. Gregory Kisver, ADSO/OP, 1SR, Ms. Sherry Kisver, DCAPT, 1sr
South, Mr. Steve Kisver, PDCAPT, 1SR South, Mr. Joe Brutto, FSO/SR, Flotilla 14-4, Mr. Mike
Garone, VCDR, Division 14, Mr. Charles Merrill, Flotilla 18-6, and Mr. Michael Hines, SO/HR, Division
5.
The Booth table was overflowing
with PA materials, offering the public
outreach literature on a myriad
of general Boating Safety and Coast
Guard Auxiliary topics. Among the
10,750 pamphlets and brochures
that were brought to the weeklong
event were: “Officer Snook”, “Global
Maritime Distress Safety System”,
“2011 Your Guide to Towing”, “A
Boater’s Guide to the Federal Requirements
for Recreational Boats”,
“America’s Waterway Watch
(Decals)”, “Join the Coast Guard
Auxiliary”, “You’re in Command”,
“Harbor Watch – Do Your Part to
Keep America Safe”, “The True
Story of Inky the Whale (Coloring
Books)”, “Help Us Protect the Marine Environment”, “US Coast Guard Station New York Operation
Clear Channel”, and others.
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