Flotilla 66 Newsletter - Summer 2017

NORTH OC WATCH FLOTILLA 66

THE NORTH ORANGE COUNTY WATCH

the official publication of District 11SR, Flotilla 66
Volume 10, Issue 1
Summer 2017 (Released June 2017)

Photo 1 by J. Thio- On 6 April 2017, Joel Kaplan, FC, congratulates Irwin Reisman on
40 years of service in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Now, is that dedication or what?

Table of Contents 2
3
Great Times at the Flotilla 66 Change of Watch
Letter from the New Editor 3
Events (Late 2016 through April 2017) 4

Veterans Day 2016 in Yorba Linda 5
Onboard the Haunted Ship: The 2017 District 11SR Training 6
Conference 7
Join Us for Vessel Safety Checks
8
Port Protection Exercise 11
Dockwalker Training and Outreach: “Honey, Did You Remember to 11
Walk the Dock Today?”
Planes of Fame Air Museum

A Couple Awards
New Members

Editor: Jeremy Thio, [email protected], (714)-333-7232

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Great Times at the Flotilla 66 Change of Watch

By Jeremy Thio

At the Flotilla 66 Change of Watch (CoW) on 4 December 2016, we celebrated the
accomplishments of 2016, while also looking forward to upcoming goals of 2017.
New and returning elected and appointed staff of Flotilla 66 were sworn in. Our
guest speaker, John Aden of Flotilla 62, gave a passionate, inspiring speech
highlighting the extraordinary role that members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary
play in rescuing boaters in distress and preventing tragedies at sea.

Please welcome our new staff officers!
1. This year, Heather Shanahan takes over the much-coveted position of FSO-IS

from Steve Sherman, who remains our SO-IS.
2. Larry Ledoux, a member who transferred

into our flotilla last year, takes over as the
FSO-MT from Clint Wells.
3. James Noll takes over as FSO-NS from
Ramon Evans.
4. Clint Wells takes over as FSO-OP from
James Scherler.
5. Guy Smutz takes over as FSO-PV from
Brian Tankersley.
6. Last, but not least, Jeremy Thio takes over
as FSO-PB from Frank Gonzales.
We take pride in knowing that no FSO
position in Flotilla 66 remains vacant for long,
as may be the case with other flotillas. When
one FSO leaves, someone else rises to take his
or her place. That is the hallmark of a
winning team!

Photo 2 by J. Thio- Clint Wells, IPFC, thanks each of Flotilla
66's FSOs from 2016 and welcomes the incoming ones for 2017.

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Letter from the New Editor

By Jeremy Thio

To the Members, Families, and Friends of Flotilla 66,

It is a pleasure to serve as the new flotilla staff officer of publications
(FSO-PB) this year. I am taking over the role from Frank Gonzales, whose
dedication and professionalism to the North OC Watch earned us several awards
in previous years. As this is my first time as FSO-PB, please be kind and
gracious. I am doing my best to highlight our accomplishments as a flotilla and
our members’ unique talents. Please excuse any delays in getting this newsletter
out to you. The information in this edition covers late 2016 through April 2017. I
am glad to have Joel Kaplan and Brian Tankersley serving once again as our
flotilla commander (FC) and our flotilla vice commander (VFC), respectively,
and I am glad to have the continued support of the rest of you, as well. Without
your contributions to the Coast Guard Auxiliary, this newsletter simply would
not exist. Feel free to send in your articles and photos by e-mail to me at
[email protected].

Yours truly,
Jeremy Thio, FSO-PB

Veterans Day 2016 in Yorba Linda

By Mike Shanahan
Edited by Flotilla 66 Staff Writers

Yorba Linda, CA – Flotilla 66 participated in the Veterans’ Day ceremony at the
Yorba Linda Veterans Memorial Park. The November 11th ceremony honored
the men and women who have fallen while serving our country. This year, a
Battlefield Cross was added to the memorial. After the invocation by Pastor
Frank Orizo, a two-time Purple Heart USMC sergeant and the fine presentation
by keynote speaker Colonel Wayne Scott, USAF-Retired, there was a roll-call for
the fallen heroes from Orange County from 2003 to the present. With the calling
of each name, the bell of honor was rung by Flotilla 66 member Heather
Shanahan. (The ceremonial bell was donated to the Yorba Linda Veterans’
Association several years ago by Flotilla 66.) Sadly, to the Gold Star Walkway
were added the names of two more recently killed in action. The ceremony also
included the presentation of colors by a military color guard, bag pipers from the
Los Angeles Police Emerald Society Pipes and Drums, a wreath presentation by
the American Legion, and the playing of Taps. Besides this Veterans Day
service, an annual Memorial Day event also honors Gold Star Families, who have
lost loved ones serving our nation.

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Onboard the Haunted Ship: 2017 District 11SR Training Conference

By Jeremy Thio

Photo 3 by D. Haas-Ghost Ship Princess Photo 4 by J. Thio- Sharon and Joel
Anne, Pirate Ramon, and Undead Groom Kaplan rule the dance floor.

Jeremy haunt the Queen Mary’s Ballroom.

As far as I know, this was the first time that our district had its annual
District Training Conference (A.K.A. “D-Train”) onboard the Queen Mary in

Long Beach. Friday Fun Night in the grand ballroom was such an extraordinary
surprise! The orchestra played timeless hits from all music genres, as lively,
energetic dancers swung the night away. The theme of the night was “The
Haunted Ship and Her Skeleton Crew,” and I have to say that some of the

costumes were silly, while others were downright freaky. Last, but certainly not
least, was the delicious food provided by both our Auxiliary chefs and active
duty chefs from Sector L.A./L.B. I couldn’t resist getting seconds! The
workshops at the conference were very informative and intriguing, as well. The

material store once again returned to the conference, thanks to Desiree De Liser
and her dedicated volunteers. A lot of work went into all of it. My condolences
to anyone who missed D-Train this year!

Photo 5 by F. Gonzales - From left to right: Captain Rochester, Ramon Evans, Anne
Evans, and Jim Haas pose for an MDA/UPV awards picture.

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Join Us for Vessel Safety Checks!

By Jeremy Thio and Frank Boice

Performing vessel safety checks (VSCs) is a friendly way to interact with
the boating public and potentially prevent boating accidents on the water. As
most of you know, Flotilla 66 performs the most VSCs out of all the flotillas in
the nation year after year. I can hardly count the number of VSC events I have
done so far in 2017 with Mr. Frank Boice, and I am sure many of you feel the
same way. What a pleasure it is to be part of the winning team! Whether you
attend school, have a job, or are retired, taking the time out of your busy
schedule to join us at a VSC event is a great opportunity to go out and see the
boating world. You can count on good fellowship, as well!

Photo 6 by J. Kaplan-
Jeremy Thio affixes a VSC
decal to a Duffy boat on 28
February 2017.
Here are some statistics from one of Mr. Boice’s recent FSO-VE reports:
As of March 31, 2017, Flotilla 114-06-06 had
- Over 1,000 VSCs performed
- 17 active, fully qualified Vessel Examiners
- 10 active, fully qualified Vessel Examiners who have fulfilled their 2017
minimum VSC requirements
- 2 active, fully qualified Vessel Examiners who have exceeded 120 VSCs for
2017 (Boice – 288 and Kaplan – 141)
- 2 additional active, fully qualified Vessel Examiners who have exceeded 100
VSCs for 2017 (Tankersley – 118 and R. Evans – 117)
- 1 additional active, fully qualified Vessel Examiner has exceeded 60 VSCs for
2017 (Thio – 96)
- The flotilla has nine members who have been awarded the RBS device.

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Photo 7 by J. Thio- We are always adding more vessel examiners! Heather Shanahan
receives her VE certification letter from Joel Kaplan on 6 April 2017.

Port Protection Exercise – San Pedro

By Anne Evans
Edited by Jeremy Thio

We had a great day as victim actors for Photo 8 by unknown- Victim actors
Ramon and Anne Evans participate
the Port Protection Training Exercise on 7 in the Port Protection Exercise.
March 2017 in San Pedro, CA. Ramon was
(pretend) burned at the (pretend) terrorist

bombing outside the Catalina Express
Terminal. Anne was a (pretend) shock victim
with facial abrasions inside the terminal.
Several other Auxiliary members assisted as

moulaged actors (Moulage is the act of
applying makeup to resemble wounds.),
including Bert Blanchette, Immediate Past
District Commodore, and Ron Hecker from

Flotilla 12-07.

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Dockwalker Training and Outreach: “Honey, Did You Remember to
Walk the Dock Today?”

By Jeremy Thio and Anne Evans

If you have an interest in talking to the everyday boater about
environmentally friendly boating practices, the Dockwalker Program, which is
sponsored by the California Coastal Commission and the California Division of
Boating and Waterways, might be the perfect fit for you. Anne Evans, who
attended the training workshop in April, reports, “The Dockwalker program was
informative and the presenter, Vivian Matuk, was fantastic. I attended Vivian’s
dockwalker introduction at a D-Train a couple of years ago, but this was my first
complete workshop. Each attendee received a certificate of completion.” On
Flotilla 87’s website, Vivian Matuk (2011) states, “Dockwalkers educate boaters
about clean boating practices and distribute educational materials (boater kits)
while visiting marinas, launch ramps, marine supply stores, boat shows and
special events (regattas, opening days, among others); and while conducting
vessel examinations.”

Photo 9 by unknown- Dockwalker class held on 1 April Photo 10 by A. Evans-
2017. Left to right, back row: Ramon Evans, Damaso Ramon Evans, Qualified

Sutis, Al Rajput, Jamie Garau, Abdu Akil, Rick Weiss, Dockwalker, presents
and application pending Aux member Nelson Rodriguez. boater’s kit to James

Front row: Vicki Gamble (The Bay Foundation), Anne Gowans at the Newport

Evans, and Vivian Matuk (instructor). Boat Show on 27 April
2017.

Reference: Matuk, V. (2011). 2011 Dockwalker Training. Retrieved from
http://flotilla87.d11nr.info/dockwalker.html

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Planes of Fame Air Museum

By Frank Gonzales

On the balmy, cloudy morning of April 8, 2017, eight members of Flotilla 66
stood at the doors of the Planes of Fame Museum in Chino, CA waiting to view
the historic exhibits inside. We were not disappointed.

Photo 11 by unknown- The group waits for the museum to open. Back row, from left to
right: Ramon Evans, Frank Gonzales, Irwin Reisman, Cheri Reisman, Brian Tankersley,
Joel Kaplan, and Heather Shanahan. Front row: Anne Evans.

Planes from the earliest years of aviation to World War I, World War II and after,
stood ready for our close-up inspection. In addition, there were military
vehicles, a Nazi “V 1” rocket, a B-17 bomber, a bombardier sighting mechanism,
and much more.

Photo 12 by F. Gonzales- An early Wright brothers-type airplane.

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Photo 13 by F. Gonzales- “Did Snoopy hit the Red Barron?”
Photo 14 by F. Gonzales- A Flying Tiger is ready to roll into action.

Photo 15 by A. Evans- Heather Shanahan in a B-17 Bomber is searching for a target.
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While all of the above appeal to my interest in wartime events, that is, actually
seeing planes I had read about, of greater interest to me was the extensive library
of military history. In the library, Ramon and Ann Evans were on a quest to find
the book 30 Seconds Over Tokyo, the recollection of the Doolittle Raid on Tokyo
during World War II, when Japan learned it was not immune to the USA’s
bombings. As I learned, Ramon’s second cousin, Lt. Denver Truelove,
participated with other US airmen on the raid. Of course, as in all fellowship
events, all “nooks and crannies” were explored, and we ended with a feast!

Photo 16 by R. Evans- Frank Gonzales and Anne Evans take a quick break from the tour.

Photo 17 by F. Gonzales- The day ended with lunch. What a feast!

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A Couple Awards

Photo 18 by F. Gonzales- Both trophies were Photo 19 by R. Evans- On 6 April
presented to Flotilla 66. The one on the left 2017, Joel Kaplan presents Jeremy

came from the Auxiliary’s National V Thio with the long-awaited Diversity
Directorate, and the one on the right came Management 3-Star Award of

from the Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Excellence for work done in 2015.
Division.

New Members

By Jeremy Thio

Flotilla 66 is always adding new members. Last year, we had Joe Campos, Alexis
Jones, Larry Ledoux, James Noll, and Guy Smutz join our flotilla. This year, we
have Richard Le, Oliver Yu, and Sean Welsh as new members, as well as
potential new members, like Nelson Rodriguez. I apologize for any names I may
have missed. Welcome aboard, and let us know how we can assist you in your
Auxiliary career!

Photo 20 by R. Evans- Dr. Sean Welsh receives his membership certificate from Joel
Kaplan.

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