ALCOAST 233/19 - JUL 2019 2018 AUXILIARIST OF THE YEAR

R 101528 JUL 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-5P//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS//N16790//
ALCOAST 233/19
COMDTNOTE 16790
SUBJ: 2018 AUXILIARIST OF THE YEAR
1. I am pleased to announce the selection of Auxiliarist Alison G. Blind of Ninth
District-Western Region Flotilla 31-4 in Holland, Michigan as the 2018 Auxiliarist
of the Year.
2. An Auxiliarist since April 1997, Auxiliarist Blind has consistently exercised
extraordinary support of Coast Guard marine safety, environmental protection, and
recreational boating safety (RBS) missions. She coordinated a diverse array of
activities that significantly advanced public awareness and overall welfare of
the marine environment. She arranged Auxiliary support of more than a dozen major
regional marine invasive species events that educated over 5,750 recreational
boaters and performed over 300 recreational vessel checks. This included
Auxiliary leadership in Michigan’s Clean Boats – Clean Waters and Aquatic Invasive
Species Landing Blitz programs as well as the Grand Rapids Boat Show, Earth Day
in East Lansing, and National Night Out in Holland, Michigan. She forged strong
partnerships between the Auxiliary and Michigan State University, the Michigan
Sea Grant program, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and the North
American Lake Management Society.
3. Devoted to improving youth water safety, she developed and implemented a
hands-on program that met Michigan core curriculum criteria and which was used
to teach boating safety to elementary school students. She designed and built
associated educational tools, and then trained other Auxiliarists who taught the
program to nearly 300 students.
4. Committed to Coast Guard service, she also found the time to deliver over
195 hours as an Auxiliary coxswain and perform more than 95 vessel safety checks
and program visits.
5. I applaud Auxiliarist Blind’s service to nation, duty to people, and commitment
to excellence. She will be formally recognized as the 2018 Auxiliarist of the
Year at the Auxiliary National Convention in Orlando, FL on August 24, 2019.
6. Auxiliarist Michael A. Barth of First District – Southern Region Flotilla 5-11
in Upper Manhattan, New York is recognized with honorable mention and congratulated
for his outstanding performance and achievement.
7. RDML Richard Timme, Assistant Commandant for Prevention Policy, sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.