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Commodore Lanz Receives 40 Year Service AwardArticle by David Lynch, Editor, OH-AL-MON Guardian Reprinted in part from USCG Achieves

Butler, PA – Past National Commodore of the Auxiliary, Joseph J. Lanz, Jr, was recently awarded for 40 years of service with the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Commodore Lanz was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on August 11, 1929, where he has been a life long resident. In 1951, he graduated from Allegheny Technical Institute and eventually went into business for himself as the owner of an optical company. Lanz enrolled in the Auxiliary in 1975, having joined as a result of taking a PE class. Over the years he was elected to offices at all levels of the organization. During his tour as NACO from 1993 to 1994, Lanz was responsible, along with his Board, for initiation and partial development of the landmark legislation, Coast Guard Auxiliary Act of 1996, that was signed into law on 19 October 1996, after eighteen months of effort by the Auxiliary and Coast Guard and Congressional negotiations. (Continued on next page)

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Division VII, Eighth District Eastern Region Newsletter May 2017, David Lynch, Editor and Publisher Contact: gsdk9handler@icloud.com

“Seek to understand before you seek to be understood”

Commodore Lanz and Anthony Waters, DCDR

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The national board was also responsible for changing the antiquated Auxiliary penalty indicia mail system to the 'Official Mail' system currently used today. In1993, under Lanz's leadership, the Auxiliary began the Walmart initiative through which many stores in the chain cooperated with local flotillas, allowing use of their facilities for the promotion of boating safety. During Lanz's term, the Board developed and planned N-Train, the yearly training conference that replaced the three Area Conferences as of 1995. Lanz also promoted a greater awareness of the Auxiliary and its programs among the active duty and reserve Coast Guard and its leadership.

Commodore Lanz was the first NACO to be made a voting member of the CG Flag Corps, was awarded the Auxiliary Commendation Medal in 1988 and 2006 and the Department of Transportation Coast Guard Distinguished Public Service Award by Commandant Robert E. Kramek in 1994. Lanz currently serves as the Auxiliary's National Chairman of the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance program. Commodore Lanz is a Korean War era veteran, during which time he served as an Army Signal Corps instructor at Fort Monmouth in New Jersey and was deployed overseas to Paris, France. Commodore Lanz remains active with Flotilla 7-3 in Butler, PA, where he is currently serving as the Flotillas Finance Officer.

Auxiliary Conducts Paddle Safety Seminars at Venture Outdoors

Article by Anthony L Waters, DCDR Photo by Thom Spagnol, SO-PB

Pittsburgh - The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary conducted two Safe Paddling classes at Venture Outdoors. The free two-hour course focused on paddling activities in the Pittsburgh area, specifically paddle craft on the rivers. Topics included life jacket wear, equipment, basic legal requirements, navigable waterways, waterway awareness, trip planning, float plans, and a discussion of safety statistics over the past 50 years.

The Thursday (March 9) night class was led by Anthony Waters (7-2) with 15 people in attendance. The Saturday (March 11) afternoon class was co-led by Bob Brandenstein (7-8) and John Franko (7-2) with 10 people in attendance.

CommodoreJosephJLanz,Jr.

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Top 10 Member Training Ideas Article by David Lynch, Editor, OH-AL-MON Guardian

Even with the boating season upon us, spending some time before, or after Flotilla and/or Division meetings is a great way to ramp up our members training and be Semper Paratus for the various missions that will come our way.

Whether you’re a new member, or have been around the harbor a few times, the Auxiliary offers a great number of interesting training opportunities. Don’t be afraid to refresh your skills even if you’ve taken a class once already. A lot of what you’ll see below is finding a way to kick the same old thing up a notch.

Here are my top 10 member training sessions:

1. Mandated Training. It just must get done. Presenting one of the mandatory trainings before or after a meeting is a great way for members to complete these important classes.

2. TCT Operations Workshop. This is another must get done for operational boat crew and

Coxswains. Now’s the time, before we all get busy planning missions!

3. How to do a better Vessel Inspection. VE’s are one of the biggest ways that our members can have an impact with the Auxiliary. What’s worked well for your members and what hasn’t. Share ideas to make your VE’s a great experience for you and the boat owner.

4. How to do a better Marine Dealer Visit. It’s more than just dropping off a rack of literature. How do you encourage the business owner to promote recreational boating safety and highlight your materials?

5. Instructor Training. This is a three for one and another way members can have a big impact with the Auxiliary. Are any of your members interested in teaching the public about boating safety? Then set up a class and help them get through the PQS. Part of the PQS is teaching a section of a class! Another idea for already certified IT’s is a workshop on how to be a better instructor and make classes more interesting.

6. How to take better cell phone pictures. We all have them, so why not make them work for us. A picture is said to be worth a thousand words and is a great way to promote the Coast Guard and Auxiliary and the great work we do. How can you make your pictures say more and look even better?

7. Boat Crew and Coxswain training. This is probably more of a once a month on a Saturday type of training, but to do patrols, we need to have people qualified to be on and operate our Auxiliary facilities. (Continued on next page)

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8. Communications. Comms are a very important part of coordinating our resources at regattas and other large events. We need members who are qualified to do this. There may also be other opportunities to be a radio watch stander at your local Coast Guard base with the proper training and security clearances.

9. CPR/First Aid. Great skills to have! Local hospitals or your Red Cross can get you certified and will come to you to do it.

10. Interpersonal Communications. A great deal of what I have done in the Auxiliary over the past few years involves talking to people. Sales people, EMS responders and teachers (to name a few) do this everyday and would probably be glad to talk to your group and give everyone some pointers on how to communicate with others. Looking and sounding professional when dealing with the public is invaluable.

11. (Bonus) How to set up and operate a better PR booth. There’s nothing worse than going up to a booth at a big event where there’s a group you want to learn more about and finding no one there and a bunch of pamphlets scattered around a table willy-nilly, being held down by some dirty old rocks. Put together a workshop to come up with some creative ideas on how to display your information and engage with the event attendees.

These are only a handful of ideas to help get your members motivated and training. Every Flotilla and Division will have different needs, but the list can certainly be changed to reflect that, so what’s in your Top 10?

SomethingMissing?I’msurethatthereis.It’sbeenaverybusyyearsofar,withalotofeventsallovertheDivision.

IfwemissedaneventthatyouoryourFlotillawereinvolvedin,oraneventfor2017’scalendar,pleaseemailanypictures(withthenameofthephotographerandpeoplepictured),informationorstoriestothe

editoratmailto:gsdk9handler@icloud.comforinclusioninthenextissue.

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Wearing the Auxiliary Uniform Article by John Franko III, ADSO-OP, SO-OP

As USCG Auxiliary members you have the honor and privilege of wearing the USCG Uniform. Take pride that you are a part of the Coast Guard family and the history that goes with it. One way of showing your pride of the Coast Guard Family is to wear the uniform correctly.

The guidelines for wearing the uniform changes and we must keep up with the new standards. Below is a listing of uniform mistakes that you may see and should be avoided.

• The uniform should be clean and neat when you wear it. When you wash your dress uniforms press it to remove the wrinkles. Use a lint brush / roller on your uniform to remove any lint or pet hair. The dress shoes or boots should be cleaned and polished on occasion.

• Ball Caps are only to be worn in the ODU Uniform. Ball caps shall be of the same material as ODU and say U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Member or officer device shall be a metal device. Sew on devices are not allowed. Embroidered cap ornamentation (acorns and leaves) are no longer authorized.

• Missing devices or tags. The uniform is not complete if you are missing your name tag / tape or member / officer device. It is not acceptable to wear the uniform with missing items.

• Soft shoulder boards are no longer authorized for wear on any uniform. • Location of name tags and ribbons: Name tags and ribbons shall be centered above the

pocket with a ¼” space between the top of pocket and bottom of name tag or ribbon. • Mirrored Sunglasses: Authorized sunglass styles now include frames with a conservative

(unadorned black or navy blue material, gold or silver wire) and lenses shall be black or brown in color (mirrored lenses are prohibited). Sunglasses are not authorized in formation unless the need to wear sunglasses has been certified by medical authorities, or otherwise authorized by the commander / commanding officer due to environmental conditions. Personnel will not wear lenses or frames that are so large or so small that they detract from the appearance of the uniform.

• Under shirts shall be white v neck shirts for Tropical Blue or blue crew neck shirts for ODU uniforms.

• Device locations: All devices have proper locations. On garrison caps the device shall be located 1 ½” up from the bottom of the cap and 2” from the front. Shoulder devices on outerwear shall be ¾” up from the bottom of the epilate.

• When wearing the ODU Utility Jacket (liner) as a standalone exterior garment, the foul weather parka fabric office device is mandatory.

• Jewelry: Bracelets, necklaces, wristwatches, ID bracelets and rings must be conservative, noncontroversial, and in good taste. Necklaces shall not be visible. Wearing of jewelry should be avoided when performing certain task such as getting underway as boat crew.

• All members at an event need to be in the same uniform.

As Auxiliarists we need to do a better job at policing our members on wearing the uniform properly. If you see something not right with your fellow member’s uniform politely mention it or correct it if you can. We are all part of the Coast Guard Family and the public sees us as the Coast Guard and we need to look the part. (Continued on next page)

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You can find the proper information on how to wear the uniform correctly in Chapter 10 of the Auxiliary Manual, on the uniform pages of the H-Directorate Human Resources and in the Uniform Board updates. If you have any questions concerning proper wear of uniform please ask an elected officer and / or refer to the above mentions references.

OH-AL-MON GUARDIAN can be found on the Division 7, District 8ER Web Site http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=082-07

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS

2017 Anthony L Waters, Division Commander

Robert E Shaffer Jr, Vice Division Commander

PA OUTREACH MEMBER TRAINING OPERATIONS FELLOWSHIP PE Class

2017 June Fri 9 2000 – 2359 Pittsburgh Pirates Fireworks- Allegheny River mile 0.0-1.0 Sun 11 1000 – 1400 VE’s at Loyalhanna Reservoir at Bush Launch Ramp Sun 11 2045-2315 Shine at Pride – Allegheny River mile 0.2 – 0.8 Sat 17 1100 – 1700 Anything that Floats Race- Ohio River Mon 26 1930 Division VII Meeting at MSU Pittsburgh Uniform of the Day: ODU’s Fri 30 2000 – 2359 Pittsburgh Pirates Fireworks- Allegheny River mile 0.0-1.0

July Tue 4 2115 – 2300 Monongahela 4th of July Celebration - Monongahela River mile 32-33 Mon 24 1930 Division VII Meeting at MSU Pittsburgh Uniform of the Day: ODU’s August Fri – Sun 4-6 EQT Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta

Regatta at Lake Arthur Sat-Sun12-13 Pittsburgh Triathlon & Adventure Race- Allegheny River mile 0.0-1.5 Fri 18 2000 – 2359 Pittsburgh Pirates Fireworks- Allegheny River mile 0.0-1.0 Mon 28 1930 Division VII Meeting at MSU Pittsburgh Uniform of the Day: ODU’s September Fri 1 2000 – 2359 Pittsburgh Pirates Fireworks- Allegheny River mile 0.0-1.0 Fri 22 2000 – 2359 Pittsburgh Pirates Fireworks- Allegheny River mile 0.0-1.0

“ONE TEAM PULLING TOGETHER”