As added excitement to the extremely busy tours, two stories of outstanding Auxiliary action resulted in preventing serious injury or death from occurring. Onboard the Campbell, Auxiliarist Allan Peda caught an approximately 3-4 year old boy in the air as the boy fell forward from about five to six feet up on a staircase. Seaman Reed who witnessed Peda’s actions stated that they would have definitely needed to have called an ambulance if he did not catch the boy. The boy would have fallen face first onto metal stairs or a hard deck. At the end of the day, Peda received a round of applause from the crew of the Campbell in the mess hall.
At the public affairs tent next to the Intrepid, Auxiliarists Marvin Brody, Esther Brody, Richard Scher, Joy Scher, and Bridget Benjamin assisted Harold Smallwood, a WWII merchant marine, who had collapsed due to dehydration and heat near their tent. The Auxiliarists rendered first aid and called an ambulance. After being treated, Smallwood returned to the tent to thank the Auxiliarists.
The Auxiliary event’s main organizer was Dave Porter, 2014 District Captain of Southern New York while Auxiliarists James Chin and Bridget Benjamin served as Manhattan field coordinators. The coordinators had to manage over twenty Auxiliarists simultaneously during peak volunteering days. They acted as the main liaisons between the active duty, Intrepid organizers, and the Auxiliary.
Cutter crews welcomed and appreciated the Auxiliary help greatly. LCDR Frye of Sector New York greeted Auxiliarists in the morning to thank them and to make sure everything was going fine. Coasties joked with and explained Coast Guard protocol as Auxiliarists stood watch next to them. In addition, the Commanding Officer of the Campbell, CMDR Caputo, and the Executive Officer, LCDR Kowalczyk, shook hands and thanked Auxiliarists for volunteering.
Fleet Week 2014 has exemplified the meaning of being a part of Team Coast Guard. Auxiliarists worked hand in hand with the Active Duty to promote and uphold the reputation of the USCG. Semper Paratus! The Auxiliary will be ready for next year’s Fleet Week in NYC.
Auxiliarist David Porter (standing), 2014 District Captain and lead Auxiliary organizer, stands with public affairs tent staff. USCG Auxiliary Photo by Intrepid Staff.
Auxiliarists get photobombed by a CGC Campbell crew member during dinner time after a long day of tours. Photo by CGC Campbell crew.
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