Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Loop Still On Hold



Our last posting was on Friday November 15 after our trip exploring the St. Johns River. I suppose it is way past time for an update as Nan Ellen has been bugging me for months to get the Blog up to date. As you will read, we have been very busy in the last 9 months and there was NO time for Looping.

Thanksgiving 2013 was our first holiday after the passing of Nan Ellen’s mother Ethel, and it was an emotional and difficult time for both of us.

After Thanksgiving, it was time to start planning for Christmas, and soon we began the process of decorating the house. It actually went faster this year as I chose to participate at a higher level since Nan Ellen did not have her mother to help. They enjoyed the process and it just was not the same without Ethel. We celebrated by ourselves at home and it was very different and somewhat emotional without Ethel.

Just the two of us this year

Our tree and nutcrackers

To start December, we participated in the Kennesaw GA Santa Parade to welcome Santa and his helpers. We always dress up in our warm “Gumby suits” which are actually Mustang Survival suits for cold water conditions. We wore “non-regulation” headgear while waving to the crowd along the parade route.

Our "float" in the Kennesaw Santa Parade

The guest of honor with his real reindeer
I made one trip to Miami in December for an Executive Committee meeting at Coast Guard Air Station Miami at the Opa Locka airport. We drove on this trip and made a stop on the boat in Jacksonville to break up the trip in half. We use the boat as a floating Condo when Coast Guard business takes us to Florida as it is only a 6 hour drive from home and makes for a shorter trip anywhere in Florida. After the Miami EXCOM meeting, we drove back up to Coast Guard Station Port Canaveral for the Division 17 Change of Watch – one of my Divisions. Then it was back to Jacksonville for a couple of days before heading home.

Station Canaveral Logo
Because we planned a trip to Indy in between Christmas and New Year’s Day, we took down most of the decorations right after Christmas. It felt odd with the timing, but Nan Ellen did not want any decorations up on New Year’s.

We made our usual trip driving to Indianapolis to visit my mother and my brother a couple of days after Christmas and simply got lucky with the weather. Although cold, we missed a MAJOR snowstorm that stuck a few days after we left. Had it hit while we were there, we certainly would have been stuck there several days until it was safe to come home. We went after Christmas to coincide with my Mother’s 80th birthday. My sister and brother in law drove in from Rochester NY to help us celebrate along with other family and friends. A great time was had by all.

Birthday Girl Milestone

The Fuller Clan

Before we knew it, it was New Year’s Day. After gorging on football all day long, it was time to fall back into a pattern of normalcy for us – whatever that means! The Atlanta Boat Show was first on our list of calendar events for the Auxiliary.

Atlanta Boat Show Crew
Next up was the Division 2 Change of Watch at Dobbins Air Base with CAPT Rodriguez (Sector Charleston Commander) as our guest of honor. Our home Division Change of Watch is a little different than any other as we have a large contingent of members who are in the Coast Guard Pipe Band. It is always a real treat to have them play a few tunes for us as entertainment and to kick off the festivities. I think it was the first time CAPT Rodriguez had experienced an Auxiliary Change of Watch like this!

COW Cake
CAPT Rodriguez with Pat McMenamin, Nan Ellen, and Dave
The Atlanta Detachment of the Coast Guard Pipe Band
Shortly after, it was off to Savannah where I helped teach a Leadership workshop at Coast Guard Air Station Savannah.

Entrance to Air Station Savannah on Hunter Army Airfield
Helicopter Pre-flight preparations
Next up on the calendar was a trip to Jacksonville to attend the 100th Anniversary celebration of the US Power Squadron. Nan Ellen and I wore both our Auxiliary uniforms and our Power Squadron uniforms on different days at the conference. I was involved in teaching and certifying the first 18 US Power Squadron Program Visitors in their organization. This is a Coast Guard program that reaches out to marine dealers and anyplace people might want to pick up boating safety information. The Auxiliary has been performing this duty for several years and now the Power Squadron has joined the Auxiliary to help spread the word. I also represented the 7th District Auxiliary as the senior Auxiliary officer present.

100th Anniversary Flag Display
We were treated to a preview of a new tool that the Power Squadron has invested in – a boating simulator using a special computer, three video monitors, and an Instructor controlling the scenario. We had a great deal of fun with it and I tried to crash into other boats, docks, and the shore. It made realistic sounds of fiberglass crunching, but a simple reset made it all go away for the next driver! We even wore our life jacket when driving the simulator. They also had a full size real boat outside that they use for on the water training. The Auxiliary is studying the feasibility of offering a similar boating simulator, but costs may deep six this project.

Power Squadron Boat Simulator with Instructor Lisa Herndon of the Atlanta Power Squadron
 
In February, we attended the Atlanta Power Squadron Change of Watch and, took care of various doctor and dentist appointments. Basically, we attended to domestic business with not much travel for the month. Those of you from colder climates may laugh at us when we talk about cold winters and snow, but snow is really a rare event for Atlanta. More often, we get ice. As a matter of fact, when we were in Jacksonville for the Power Squadron Conference, Atlanta got hit with a MAJOR snowstorm that we just missed in Jacksonville. It came within about 20 miles of Jacksonville and actually closed Interstate 10 west of I-75 with impassable conditions. We were not so lucky on the second storm that hit while at home in Atlanta and here are the photos to prove it.

BRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!

Where's the sled?

In March, we attended a special Auxiliary member training class at the Auxiliary Flotilla at Lake Lanier GA that dealt with a Marine Safety certification. After completing the class and passing the test, I achieved AUXOP status which is the highest rating you can receive as an Operational Auxiliarist. It is commonly referred to in the Auxiliary as the PHD of Operations. It takes many years of study in several subjects and elective specialties to achieve it. It is probably the second hardest achievement in the Auxiliary. In my opinion, only the Trident certification ranks higher and I am a long way from achieving it. Nan Ellen also passed the same test as me, but now only lacks the Weather specialty to achieve her AUXOP status. She plans to take that class in September at our District Conference in Orlando.

Also in March, it was back to Miami and Opa Locka for another EXCOM meeting and this time I flew Delta since I had nowhere else to go at the end of the trip. This was a non-eventful trip. We had our spring Division meeting and I taught a TCT class (Team Coordination Training – a risk management class) in Atlanta. Several more doctor appointments and annual medical tests took up the remainder of the month.

Air Station Miami Logo

April began with a switch in hats to my Ham Radio Emergency Coordinator role and the move of the Paulding Wellstar Hospital. Our ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Services) group coordinated with the county Emergency Management Agency, Police, Sheriff, Fire, EMS, and the Hospital staff to track the ambulance transfer of all patients from the old hospital facility to the new facility. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase our skills with communications and tracking. We used various ham radio modes including digital and voice communications by using hams on the ground at both the old and new hospital. Our Net controller was off site to keep track of everything and keep the log of all patients and vehicles. Previous to the actual move of patients, we had a full scale exercise using school kids as “patients” being transported so we were able to learn a few lessons before the real move occurred. We did not lose anyone and the move was flawless due mostly to the exceptional planning and the full scale exercise working out the kinks.

In early April, we traveled to Cocoa Beach FL for the Division 17 social. They conducted the social at a local park bordering the Banana River and we cooked hot dogs and hamburgers. After lunch, Nan Ellen and I “borrowed” a PWC owned by the Division Commander and his wife and rode over to the Port Canaveral Locks. It was great to just be social and leave the business of the Auxiliary at the parking lot.

Is there a Qualification in Burger Flipping??????

Port Canaveral Lock with Cruise Ships in background
 
We had an unexpected treat when fellow Auxiliarists Carter Quillen and Diane Eggers brought their Ship of Imagination "Archimedes" to the picnic. It is the world's largest solar powered concrete boat!

20 ton displacement Length 50' Beam 14' All solar power


On April 11, Nan Ellen and I celebrated our 27th Anniversary and instead of a nice dinner out, we decided to attend a Pollution Responder class put on by the Marine Safety Department at Coast Guard Sector Charleston. They came to Atlanta for the class and it was coincidental that it occurred on our Anniversary.

(L-R) MST 2 Richard McCarson and LT Ashonte Franklin

That afternoon when the class ended, we drove to Savannah to attend the Division 10 meeting the next day – one of my Divisions. After that meeting was concluded Saturday afternoon, it was back to Jacksonville for my meeting on Monday night with a Flotilla in Green Cove Springs FL. Again, we used the boat as a floating condo when in Florida on Auxiliary / Coast Guard business. Then it was back home for more doctor diagnostic tests and Easter before returning to Jacksonville the following week. During our week in Jacksonville, Division 14 Commander Bill Sekeres had arranged a joint fun night at the Jacksonville Suns Baseball Game. There were nearly 100 people in our group comprised of Auxiliarists, active duty Coast Guard, and Power Squadron members. As usual, Bill headed up the Honor Guard and presented the colors before the game.

Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 14 Members at the game
Division Commander Bill Sekeres and Dave
Jacksonville Suns VS Montgomery Biscuits


That weekend, Division 4 – another of my Divisions - had a meeting which we attended at Coast Guard Station Ponce Inlet located in the Daytona area. Our boat got a lot of occupancy in April while we traveled to Florida, but only left the dock once to travel the 10 or so miles upstream (south) on the St Johns River to Doctor’s Lake and Whitey’s Fish Camp Restaurant. Unfortunately, when we arrived, they were closed for lunch on Monday – bummer!!! Division Commander Bill Sekeres was going to meet us there by car, so we left the boat at Whitey’s dock and went up the street for lunch. It was good to get the boat out and run it, but it was very sluggish – obviously a lot of bottom growth and some of it came off on the return trip home to Ortega Landing.

Row, Row, Row your boat


Closed for lunch - BUMMER!!!!!!!!!

In May, we traveled to Camp Sidney Dew near Rome GA to conduct an inspection of the 33 canoes and paddlecraft of the Boy Scout Camp there. We had to endure a bit of dust that had accumulated and more than a couple of spiders that had taken up residence in the building where the canoes and kayaks are stored.

Boy Scout Camp near Rome GA

Nan Ellen completing paperwork with fellow Auxiliarist Paul Kendra

Dave attaching decal to rowboats with assistance from Paul Kendra

Just before Mother’s Day, we went to the State Capitol and had a photo opportunity with Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and First Lady Sandra Deal along with GA DNR and the Power Squadron for the National Safe Boating Week Proclamation.

(L-R) Ed McGill, Dave, Nan Ellen, Governor Deal and First Lady Sandra Deal, CAPT Mike England - DNR, Douglas Towns - Power Squadron

We had another photo op with City of Acworth Mayor Tommy Allegood as he presented our National Safe Boating Week Proclamation.

(L-R) Mayor Allegood, Ron Argo, Dave, Nana Ellen

A week later, the nationally televised Pro Wakeboard Tournament came back to Lake Allatoona (our home port) for the eighth or ninth time. We participated both on shore at the Boating Safety Booth and on the water with our Patrols to control spectators and the wakes of their boats. The weather was nice and we had no incidents for the tournament.

Grabbin' some air
Check out the "readily available" life jackets acting as fenders between the boats

Next up was Memorial Day and our annual trip back to Indy in May to visit my mother and brother and of course to attend the Indy 500. We needed to return home to Atlanta because later that week, I flew from Atlanta to Miami for another EXCOM meeting at Opa Locka.
 
Dave standing in Turn 1 at the Indy 500

Nan Ellen standing in Turn 1 at the Indy 500

Start of 2014 Indy 500
Helio Castroneves and crew in a pit stop

As June started, we planned to do our triennial (every three year) recertification of our Coxswain and Boat Crew qualifications, but a medical issue by one of the boat owners made us reschedule this task for later in the year – perhaps on another lake. Late in the month, we traveled to Hiawassee GA in the north Georgia Mountains on the border with North Carolina for our summer Division 2 meeting (our home Division).

Of course, July 4 always calls for us to participate in the Douglasville GA parade and with it being an election year, the politicians were in full force. I wonder why they put them at the front of the parade?  I think they should go behind the horses (editorial comment). The weather was pleasant and cooperative and a good time was had by all.

Our "float" in the July 4 Douglasville Parade

July 4 crowd along parade route

The following week, it was time to get back on the road for Auxiliary business and first up was Charleston SC for the Division 12 meeting. As the meeting concluded, I felt faint and passed out momentarily. Another Auxiliarist broke my fall and saved me from going headfirst into a glass display case that would have cut me up badly had I fallen into it. He sustained a cut on his hand, but only required first aid on scene. They transported me to the hospital by ambulance and the doctors poked and prodded and tested me continuously for several hours. They could not find anything wrong, but wanted to observe me overnight. The next morning, the doctor released me and said that I likely ate something that did not agree with me and said to follow up with my doctor when I returned home. I have not had a recurrence of this episode. That morning at the hotel, I ate ½ of a waffle and drank what I thought was decaf coffee and both of these are not part of my normal diet. I had been experiencing abdominal cramps in the 30 minutes or so before I passed out. The doctor reassured me that he could find nothing wrong and he saw no reason to cancel my trip. So we continued the trip to Jacksonville, but a day later than originally planned. On Monday, I attended a meeting at Coast Guard Sector Jacksonville with CAPT Allen and his staff for their monthly Auxiliary briefing. He had several new members to introduce as they rotated out assignments and stations during May and June so we had an opportunity to put a face with the name.

Sector Jacksonville Logo

Then it was on to Orlando and a special meeting of the EXCOM where we decided on a strategy for the remainder of the year and put together an action plan to try to accomplish an important goal.  Then it was back to Atlanta for a week before heading back to Jacksonville again for a special Division 14 meeting. I had the distinct pleasure of presenting a plaque to honor the 50 years of Auxiliary service of member Bob Strong. Bob remains active by teaching Public Education classes, and conducting Vessel Examinations. He performed the facility inspection on our boat earlier in the year. Amazingly, Bob has 51 years with the US Power Squadrons!

Bob Strong 50th Anniversary of Service to the Coast Guard Auxiliary

To round out the trip to Jacksonville, we were able to take our boat on patrol on the St. Johns River with two other local Auxiliarists. Our patrol area for the day was the security zone directly in front of Naval Air Station Jacksonville. We had to chase off a boat that was net casting inside the security zone. Otherwise, it was an uneventful but VERY hot day. It was good to actually use our boat on patrol away from our home waters and we plan to do it again when our schedules permit.

John Hadley, Scott Thomas, and Dave re-hydrating after the patrol on the St Johns River
As August began, we were back home in Atlanta to kick off AMLOC (Auxiliary Mid-Level Officers Course) that was sponsored by our Division at the Clay National Guard Center on Dobbins Air Base in Marietta GA.


As I mentioned earlier, we had to postpone our requalification check rides for Coxswain and Boat Crew due to one of the boat owner’s medical issues so we made arrangements to perform this task at Lake Sinclair on another Auxiliarists boat. Because I had not practiced on his boat, we made a trip to Eatonton GA (2 ½ hours away) to get some stick time and to practice the tasks we would be required to perform during the Qualification Check Ride and Recertification. During the following week, we had a refresher of the shoreside tasks required. These include plotting positions on a chart, determining magnetic headings, converting to true headings, measuring distance, and various problems computing speed, time, and distance where you know two of the three variables. A week later, we returned for the actual check ride. Everyone passed OK and we are good to go for another three years. Whew!!!! Additionally, the week prior, I passed the NAVRULES exam required of all Coxswains every 5 years. This is the exact same test you must pass for a Coast Guard Captain’s License and is the significant barrier to obtaining your Captain’s License or Coxswain rating. This was my third time (initial and two re-qualifications) passing the exam during my time as a Coxswain in the Auxiliary.

As I write this, we are preparing to go back to Orlando, this time for the Auxiliary National Convention where we will celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Auxiliary. Nan Ellen will be taking a in depth class to become a Public Affairs Specialist which may be her next Auxiliary role as she does not plan to run for higher elected office (my position as District Captain).  




I am running for District Chief of Staff and if successful, I would serve in this position for two years while attending ASOC (Auxiliary Senior Officers Course). This is basically a two year program to prepare you to become District Commodore (Auxiliary equivalent to a one star Admiral). Usually, at the end of those two years, you are then elected by your peers to District Commodore where you serve for two years. This election will take place in September, also in Orlando at our District Conference.

Our future Loop plans are still up in the air right now and would certainly be postponed if I am successful in my quest to become District Chief of Staff.  I hope to be a little more current with updates for the rest of this year. Nan Ellen plans to incessantly bug me and will try to hold me to it! Stay tuned for more later.

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