- May 3, 2024
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Flotilla 86 Vice Commander Carol Hoernle mans the auxiliary's information tent.
Lesley DwyerMembers of the U.S. Coast Guard and the auxiliary bring a boat and helicopter to entertain campers at Nathan Benderson Park. From left to right: Chris Juall, Walter Finkelstein, Brittany Rosciolo, Alaina Stonestreet, Murray Price, Bill Krulac, Carol Hoernle and Jonathan Laronge.
Lesley DwyerA Coast Guard helicopter flies over Nathan Benderson Park on July 26 for the Spirit of America camp week.
Lesley DwyerCampers get a demonstration on what goes into landing a helicopter without a pad. Someone has to check the ground for foreign objects first.
Lesley DwyerThe area is cleared for landing, and dust flies like a sand storm as the helicopter gets closer to the ground.
Lesley DwyerNow that the helicopter has landed, campers Annalena Kayan, Corbin Kayan and Luke Porter are about to take a tour.
Lesley DwyerAuxiliary member and East Bradenton resident Angie Fibler would have volunteered, but she couldn't find another babysitter for her granddaughters Brimley and Brooklyn. They're just spectators today.
Lesley DwyerParrish resident Palin Morris puts on a survival vest before stepping into the cockpit.
Lesley DwyerLakewood Ranch resident Cate Kitcher had to be given instructions on how to get into the tight space of the cockpit before getting a tour of the instruments.
Lesley DwyerA helicopter lands in the middle of Nathan Benderson Park on July 26 to introduce campers to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Lesley DwyerCampers tour a 29-foot response boat used by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Lesley DwyerCountry Club resident Harper Profito checks out the driver's seat in the response boat.
Lesley DwyerActive duty MK1 Brittany Roscioli is usually fixing this boat. Roscioli is a machinery technician.
Lesley DwyerWhen enrolling in summer camp, most kids are looking for fun and adventure, not especially lessons in safety.
However, from July 24-28, Nathan Benderson Park campers received a taste of all three. The park partnered with the Spirit of America Foundation to host a weeklong Spirit of America Camp for kids ages 10 to 14.
The boating safety program was called “No Child Left on the Dock” and is partially funded through a grant from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund administered by the U. S. Coast Guard Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety.
Campers learn in a classroom and on the water how to safely sail, paddle and powerboat.
On July 26, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Auxiliary held a demonstration for campers with a rescue helicopter and a response boat.
Campers met active duty members MK1 Brittany Roscioli and BM3 Alaina Stonestreet, who both serve at the Cortez station. Stonestreet captains the 29-foot response boat, while Roscioli maintains and fixes it as needed. The pair man a 45-foot boat as well.
“I’m an engineer, so I work on the engines and anything fuel related, and on our bigger boats, hydraulics,” Roscioli said.
Campers learned about the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, too, a volunteer organization that does not require Coast Guard experience.
Division Staff Officer Jonathon Laronge said many members do have military backgrounds, but as long as volunteers are willing to learn, they’re all welcome. They will, however, be held to the same high standards as the ex-military members.
“People don't know what the auxiliary is. That’s part of the issue that we’re facing,” Flotilla 84 Commander Walter Finkelstein said. “The auxiliary is here to save your life. We put on classes to help people learn how to properly operate their boats. It’s boating classes, navigation, meteorology, all of that is being taught at our flotillas.”
