P a ge 26 t opside V olume 79 , I s s u e 2
Auxiliary Public Events and COVID-19 By Rick Young , IPFC and SO-PA , Flotilla 19-04
The past 12 months has not been especially kind for those auxiliarists accustomed to being with the public to promote recreational boating safety . Still , it isn ’ t impossible provided both advance planning and the proper personal precautions are made .
Seda , vice commander for division 19 , was to join Gregg Bollinger , vice commander of flotilla 19-04 in Lancaster , Pa . undertaking a joint vessel safety and marine safety mission at the Southern Lancaster County Farmer- Sportsmen ’ s Association Spring Show on 13MAR . As per policy a request for assignment to duty was submitted through the chain of leadership and subsequently received from DIRAUX . On the appointed day , after collecting the needed literature supplies , informational displays and required personal protection equipment , everything was ready .
Seda uses the following blog-like format to provide an informative narrative of how the day of this recent joint mission unfolded :
The morning broke crisp , cool and clear on March 13th . Not much of an early riser , it was rare to see the sun rise as I took my first cup of coffee on the patio as our pocket pittie went about her morning business . After loading the car , I changed into my trops , the uniform of the day for the event .
Gregg Bollinger and I arrived in separate cars at about 0730 at the Solanco Fairgrounds in Quarryville to do our table setup for the Southern Lancaster County Farmer Sportsmen ’ s Association Spring Show . A very popular event that was made even more so by the cancellation of the Spring and Fall 2020 shows . The event was held as best I can describe in a cavernous pole barn with very tall ceilings . The doors were opened to allow good ventilation . The line of attendees grew long and reached deep into the parking area awaiting the 0800 opening . Gregg and I both scaled down our display items and printed materials as we needed to share a single eight-foot table .
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DSO-MS Gregg Bollinger and VCDR Ed Seda staff the information booth at the Southern Lancaster County Farmer-Sportsmen ’ s Association Spring Show on 13MAR
( Photo : Courtesy of Ed Seda )