But Bob Ross, Connecticut’s director of the state office of Military Affairs, hopes that events will take place all over the state to recognize the Coast Guard. “We want towns to look at all the activities they have that may have a maritime theme, and add the Coast Guard to raise awareness.
"We have banners that towns and cities could use to hang in downtown. We’ve engaged in school systems across the state to educate the kids before they leave school for the summer. There’s a big role for the Auxiliary to play in this,” said Ross.
Auxiliarists in Connecticut have already attended organizing meetings to see how the Auxiliary can help, and in particular, how “Coast Guard Summer” can be used to emphasize boating safety at every public event.
In the Spring a new website will go public, www.coastguardsummer.com, listing all the activities the state will hold to celebrate the presence of the Coast Guard. The governor’s office underscored the importance of this particular branch of the military.
"We are proud that the academy and our newest national landmark - the National Coast Guard Museum - call Connecticut home and chose the summer of 2015 to celebrate that partnership while honoring the important role the men and women of the Coast Guard have played throughout our country's history," Gov. Malloy said in a press release.
Gov. Malloy, in a letter to Coast Guard Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, asked that the service send additional Coast Guard ships, aircraft and personnel for the summer to help participate in the celebration.
NEW LONDON, Conn. - Lisa Lawler, Flotilla 5 commander, talks about water safety to two potential future auxiliarists at the Connecticut Maritime Heritage Festival in September. USCG Auxiliary Photo.
Team Coast Guard with a 25' Response Boat-Small (RB-S) in tow at the 15th annual Connecticut Veterans Parade held on Nov. 2, 2014. USCG Auxiliary Photo.
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