Coast Guard auxiliary hosts change of watch ceremony

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 12-09 based at Coast Guard Station Indian River held a change of watch ceremony and holiday dinner at a local restaurant Dec. 13.

In a long-standing service tradition, Sector Delaware Bay officers and Station Indian River Inlet Auxiliarists took part in the swearing-in ceremony and awards presentation.

Auxiliarist officers sworn in were: Mike McGuire, flotilla commander; Chick Anderson, flotilla vice commander; Roy Zimmerman, flotilla staff officer public education; and John Krempa, flotilla staff officer recording secretary and financial officer.

New members sworn in were Michael Golden, Debbie Timblin, Phil Giusto and William Pettigrew.

Officers George Ruff, Chick Anderson and Roy Zimmerman were recognized for their accomplishments and service. 

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the Coast Guard. Its members participate in carrying out noncombatant and non-law enforcement missions. Comprising a Coast Guard active-duty commander, a chief warrant officer, a Coast Guard civilian administrative specialist and two Coast Guard petty officers, the auxiliary program has a dedicated group of more than 1,500 volunteers who serve the area office at the Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay in Philadelphia.

As an additional force multiplier for the region, auxiliarists assist in waterways and in the air, providing more than 15,000 hours of direct operational support to the Coast Guard. The opportunity to serve includes food service, patrols, safety, administrative efforts and much more.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is always inviting volunteers to serve the country, with honor, respect and devotion to duty, as the Coast Guard motto commands. Sea Scouts are also part of the network that lets teens work alongside with the auxiliary. To learn more, go to cgaux.org or contact the local organization by emailing chickanderson@gmail.com.