U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Public Affairs
PRESS RELEASE
Date: January 29, 2008
Contact: Anthony Turner
Public Affairs Officer
562-577-0343
anthony.j.turner@uscg.mil
http://www.news.auxpa.org/
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Welcomes Americans Looking to Answer President’s Call to Service
WASHINGTON, President Obama has called the nation to service. Members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary have been answering that call for nearly 70 years.
Auxiliarists have answered America’s call following the attacks of September 11, 2001, the aftermaths of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike. Most recently the Auxiliary, America's Volunteer Guardians, were on the waterways in the Capital region in support of the Presidential Inauguration.
Although none of the “Miracle on the Hudson,” rescuers included Auxiliarists, some of the rescuers did included the Officers of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department’s (PAPD) LaGuardia Airport Marine Unit. Those police officers were trained by the men and women of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, through the Small Boat Course for Local Law Enforcement (SBCLLE), a program run through the Office of the Director of Auxiliary, First Coast Guard District Southern Region.
According to Auxiliarist Wayne Spivak, SBCLLE Program Manager and Chief Instructor “the Auxiliarists who have been a part of this program are proud that they were part of the rescue effort of Flight 1549 ).” To date the Coast Guard Auxiliary has trained over 100 PAPD Police Officers, working with them in an intensive two-week classroom and on-the-water program.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard created by an Act of Congress in 1939. The Auxiliary supports the Coast Guard in nearly all of the service's missions.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary is a perfect fit for those American’s looking to answer the President’s call to service. Membership is open to U.S. citizens, at least 17 years old, and able to pass a basic background check. There is no upper age limits or height/weight restrictions, although for operational activities, members must be physically able to perform certain tasks.
For more information on how to become one of America's Volunteer Guardians visit http://join.cgaux.org/
###
To unsubscribe please visit news-l-unsubscribe@list.auxpa.org
