Division 🍊 News
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DCDR Garry Nelson’s Fall Message to Division 6: You Had a Great Year
Greetings shipmates to the fall 2024 Division 6 newsletter, a collaboration of our division and its six flotillas. First, I want to thank everyone who volunteered and who made our division great this year. Your willingness to devote your time, energy, and talents in support of the Auxiliary allows us to fulfill our missions supporting…
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Rudy Lopez Elected 2025 Div. 6 Commander; Rick Latronico Will Be VCDR
Vice commander Rudy Lopez Jr. has been elected Division 6’s commander for 2025, succeeding DCDR Garry Nelson. Rudy will be assisted by the newly elected vice commander, Rick Latronico. VCDR Rudy Lopez receives his division commander’s shoulder boards from DCAPT-S Wayne Palmer (left) and 2024 DCDR Garry Nelson.Newly elected 2025 VCDR Rick Latronico gets his…
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Div. 6 Auxiliarists Train with Jayhawk Crew From New Ventura Air Station
Photos by Joe Benton / U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary A helicopter crew based at the Coast Guard’s newest air station, at Point Mugu in southern Ventura County, wasted no time in establishing a working relationship with Auxiliarists from flotillas in Orange County as they rendezvoused off Los Angeles Harbor on November 21. The joint training…
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Flotilla 6-8 Summer/Fall 2024 Report
I am pleased to share with you the highlights of our achievements during the months of July through October 2024. Foremost, Flotilla 6-8 showcased remarkable dedication and commitment, accumulating over 3,300 hours of service. This is a true testament to the hard work put in by every one of you. I want to take a…
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Remembering the Loss of USCGC Blackthorn, and Why the Auxiliary Is Important
By Walt Baranger, SO-PB A few days ago while driving on I-275 across Tampa Bay, Florida, my wife and I stopped at the tollway’s Sunshine Skyway rest area on an islet just off St. Petersburg. I happened to spot a flagpole with a faded Coast Guard ensign, so being a good Auxiliarist I decided to…
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VCDR Steve Sherman, Auxiliary’s Resident Polymath, Dies at 77
Steve Sherman, a Flotilla 66 member whose encyclopedic knowledge of arcane Auxiliary matters was built on a foundation of nearly 20,000 volunteer hours in many different Coast Guard fields, died in Orange County on Sept. 24 after a brief battle with pneumonia. He was 77 years old and served 16½ years in the Coast Guard…
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Braving Heatwave, Flotilla 6-3 Staffs Tustin Event
Members of Flotilla 6-3 on Sept. 7 operated a Coast Guard Auxiliary public affairs booth at the Tustin Police Department’s annual open house. The City Hall event featured members of the Tustin police and fire departments, including live demonstrations by helicopter teams, plus motorcycle and SWAT officers. Although a heatwave was pushing the century mark…
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Celebrating 170 Years of Service to Orange County
Three Division 6 flotillas were honored on Sept. 23 with the National Commodore’s Achievement Award and longevity streamers for Coast Guard Auxiliary service totaling 170 years. By tradition, streamers are attached to the ceremonial national flags used at meetings, parades and receptions. Division 6 Commander Garry Nelson presented the awards at Division 6’s monthly meeting…
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Flotilla 66 Supports Mary’s Kitchen
By David Padilla, Flotilla Commander, Flotilla 66 Five dedicated members of U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 66, a community-oriented organization based in north Orange County, generously volunteered their time and energy to support Mary’s Kitchen in its mission to feed the needy. The group arrived early on August 17, eager to contribute to the important…
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Cutter Narwhal Open House Highlights
USCGC Narwhal open house a success;Auxiliarists guide visitors and offer boating safety tips Narwhal’s crew and Division 6 Auxiliarists bring first-hand Coast Guard experience to Orange County residents Meanwhile, on shore… Wrapping up a successful open house…
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Puertas Abiertas: Buque de la Guardia Costera «Narwhal» (español)
Puertas Abiertas:Buque de la Guardia Costera «Narwhal»(en español) Lea el comunicado de prensa en español.
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Volunteers Needed for USCGC Narwhal Open House
Public event scheduled for August 10 at Station Corona del Mar Division 6 members are needed at USCGC Narwhal’s open house on August 10, 2024. Volunteers are needed anytime within 08:30 to 15:00; public hours are 10:00 to 14:45. Narwhal (WPB 87335) is an 87-foot Marine Protector Class coastal patrol cutter commanded by LTJG Annabella…
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6-8 Spring 2024 FC Report
I am pleased to share with you the highlights of our achievements during the months of April, May, and June 2024. Foremost, Flotilla 6-8 showcased remarkable dedication and commitment, accumulating over 2,500 hours of service. This is a true testament to the hard work put in by every one of you. I want to take…
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DCDR’s Summer All-Hands Message: All for One!
Photo by Rudy Lopez Jr./Flotilla 6-2 From DCDR Garry Nelson, Division 114-06 Summer 2024 Welcome shipmates to the new Division 6 electronic newsletter, a collaboration of our division and its six flotillas. This is a great time to be an engaged member of our division. There are so many opportunities to gain training and qualifications,…
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A Hero Among Us
Hard to believe, perhaps, but the war with Iraq was fought more than 20 years ago. John Doogan, FC Flotilla 6-1, tells us of a flotilla member and his port security unit who ventured into harm’s way in 2003: We have had so many members of Flotilla 6-1 that have made a proud that they…
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Old Flames Get a Warm Sendoff
A vexing question commonly asked of Auxiliarists by both recreational and commercial mariners is “How can I get rid of old safety flares?” How indeed? There’s often no easy solution, but flare collection events are periodically held in Southern California. Rick Latronico, SO-PA and member of Flotilla 6-1, explains: On June 22, Flotilla 6-1 set…
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Todd Brandt: “Why I Joined”
This is the first of an occasional series of articles by Division 6 members explining why they joined the Auxiliary. Todd Brandt, Flotilla 66: I have been in Scouting since kindergarten, when my friends and I signed up to be Tiger Cubs. I continued to Boy Scouts, and on to Sea Scouts. I love Scouting…