The D-Train Committee has been working diligently to make this a great experience for everyone. There will be Fun Night with food catered by Mission Barbecue, a hospitality room, the ship store and of course the Commodores Banquet.

A Leadership course is locked in and the complete schedule will be released soon. Check the District website for details as they are posted.

The Riverview Inn located at: 50 College Street, Clarksville, TN will be the host hotel. Make your reservations now because rooms will go fast due to the RiverFest Music Festival just 1/2 mile from our hotel.

Call 931-552-3331 Note - Members must reference U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary to be confi rmed in our group blocked rooms to receive the negotiated rate of $90.00 for the hotel room.

Save the Date! Fall D-Train 2019 Eighth District - Eastern Region Nashville / Clarksville TNSeptember 5th, 6th and 7th

S u m m e r 2 0 1 9

District Eight Eastern Region

Land Between the Lakes Water TrailsPage 2

Screen Shots, / 80th AnniversaryPage 3

The Great Tennessee Air ShowPage 4

News from Around the AORPage 6

AUXAIR TrainingPage 10

Eddy Smith, Auxiliary Food ServicePage 12

Kuss Memorial ContributionPage 13

And More !

DOVER TENNESSEE — It was a sunny spring day full of happy faces, laughing children, and fun on the water. Saturday, April 6, 2019 was the kick off of the Land Between the Lakes Water Trail System, with free guided or independent kayaking and canoeing on beautiful Bard Lake at Brandon Springs.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 8 seized the opportunity and was there with a tent, handing out Boating Safety brochures and paddle refl ectors, giving free Vessel Safety

Exams, and talking with paddlers. Division 8 members learned of the new Water Trail while working with the Land Between the Lakes administration on anotherevent. This was the perfect opportunity to promote boating safety among the newest group of boaters - the paddle crafters. At D-Train we contacted Nidena Liesner, ADSO-VE (Paddle Craft) from Division 5’s new Paddle Craft detachment in Cincin-nati, and she agreed to come help us pro-mote boating safety and be a presence at the event. She and Lori Allen, a compatriot from the detachment, drove from Cincinnati

for the event and shared their enthusiasm and expertise with the paddlers and with us. As a result, the organizers of the event became interested in hosting Boating Safe-ty classes for paddlers, perhaps annually. The Land Between the Lakes Water Trail System Initiative is a collaborative effort between the US Forest Service, Corps of Engineers, State Parks, and local agen-cies. The Water Trail mission statement: “to develop and promote the water resources around the Land between the Lakes Re-gion to create economic, health and social benefi ts for the region and its citizens.”The Water Trails System features 5 trails in different locations on Kentucky and Barkleylakes, with 1-3+ hours and differing ability levels. It offers maps listing the trails and the amenities found at each launch point. For an interactive map, visit www.land-betweenthelakes.us/watertrails/ and plan your trip. Happy paddling!

Story and Photos by Sally Memmer SO-SR 082-08-07

Land Between the Lakes Water Trails System Launch

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The small island pictured is covered at full poolbut is still a hazard to sailboats with deep drafts.It has been hit a number of times by boaters.

Facebook, Twitter and other social media outlets have a running stream of information concerning the Coast Guard as well as The Auxiliary. Stories of rescues often including video are posted almost daily. If you aren’t following some of these post already, you might want to start.

Happy 80th anniversary to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary ! Since 1939, Auxiliarists have volunteered their time and resources by land, air, and sea to ensure the safety of our waterways and support our service members. To the more than 25,000 Auxiliarists serving communities throughout our Nation. Thank you for your devotion to duty. Semper Paratus!

– Admiral Karl Schultz

CommodoresThanks to you and your teams for all you’ve done and continueto do for our Coast Guard and our Nation. We are a more Ready,Relevant and Responsive Coast Guard because of our CG Auxiliary and remain committedto our shared goals of growing your ranks, expanding your involvement and leveraging yourexpertise at every opportunity.

On this 80th anniversary of the founding of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, please pass my thanks along to all of your membership with the attached fl ag letter.

Happy birthday to the Auxiliary.

– Rear Admiral Paul Thomas

Screen Shots The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s 80th Birthday

EDITORIAL STAFF

CONTRIBUTORSUSCG Admiral Karl SchultzUSCG Rear Admiral Paul ThomasSally Memmer SO-SR 082-08-07 Diane Gilman SO-ADSO/PADavid Cox DCDR

Diane GilmanADSO - PBDistrict LiaisonDivision 11

Geri McKeeADSO - PBDivision 8

David LynchADSO - PBDivision 7

On Facebook? You can follow the Eighth District Eastern Region at U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Eighth Eastern Region or follow us at @USCGAUX8ER1 on Twitter.

Ramon Llorens, JR.DSO - PBDivision 11

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80th Birthday by Ramon Llorens, DSO-PB

Coast Guard Auxiliary When the Coast Guard “Reserve” was authorized by act of Congress on June 23, 1939, the Coast Guard was given a legisla-tive mandate to use civilian volunteers to promote safety on and over the high seas and the nation’s navigable waters. The Coast Guard Reserve was then a non-military service comprised of unpaid, volunteer U.S. citizens who owned motorboats or yachts. Two years later, on Feb. 19, Congress amendedthe 1939 act with passage of the Auxiliary and Reserve Act of 1941. The passage of this act designated the Reserve as a military branch of the active service, while the civilian volunteers, formerly referred to as the Coast Guard Reserve, became the Auxiliary.

Above: Recruiting poster for the Coast Guard Auxiliary Circa 1939 thru 1960’sFebruary 19 is formally recognized as the birth of the Coast Guard Reserve while June 23 is recognized as birthday of the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Note: Some members objected to thename “Coast Guard Auxiliary” because The Coast Guard Auxiliary name already existed, as Female component of the US Coast Guard Reserve. That organization was then designated “SPARS” which was an acronym akin to the Navy WAVES. So with the shuffl ing of names, the volunteer service of the Coast Guard we know was given the name: US Coast Guard Auxiliary. )

Pop Quiz: What does SPARS stand for ?

When America entered World War II, 50,000 Auxiliary members joined the war effort. They guarded waterfronts, carried out coastal picket patrols, rescued survivors from scuttled ships and did anything else they were asked to do. Many of their private vessels were placed into service.

Some of the Auxiliary boats which patrolled the Cumberland River During World War II, seen here passing under what looks to be the Shelby Steer Bridge, downtown Nashville.

Although it doesn’t get much mention nationally, The Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary played animportant role in securing

Continued on page 8

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The Coast Guard Auxiliary at The Great Tennessee Air Show

june 8th - 9th 2019 by ramon llorens, jr. dso-pb

Division Commander, Buell Noteboom talking to a few air show spectators about boater safety.

Photo by Ramon Llorens, Jr. DSO-PB

The weather once again was a factor at the Great Tennessee Air Show, but the pilots managed to get all of their performances done in between rain showers and the threats of thunder and lightning.

082-11 had several members come out and stand watch as we passed out literature and informed the public about recreational boater safety, what we do in the Auxiliary and how they might join us.

The Coast Guard Recruiter: MKC Joey Munnfrom Louisville KY was also present on Saturday to answer questions and distribute information about Coast Guard Careers.

It was a successful PA event associated with one of the largest events in Middle Tennessee, for the Auxiliary and the Gold Side. We made direct contact with hundredsof people, passing out Local and Federal Navigation Rules, Activity Books, and recruiting materials. We also educated a lot of folks on the proper wear of PFD’s and made appointments for Vessel Exams. Of course we all got to see a great air show too.

A special thanks to Bill Weeks for putting the watch standing schedule together and to all of the Auxiliarist who came out to stand watch rain or shine:

Diane Gilman, Fred Gilman, Larry Carter,Michael Simpson, Chris Jones, Jim Williamson,Rosemary Halldorsson, Jessica Clark, Dave Knapp, Buell Noteboom, Charles Bader, Ramon Llorens, Justin Elam, KevinGallagher and Ken Kingdon.

Photo by Diane Gilman SO/ADSO-PA

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Auxiliary Coxswain Bill Weeks and Active Duty Coxswain BM1 Haubenstricker discussing the details of the exercise.

Crew member Randy Ventress pulls a line thrown with a throw bag to bring the tow line aboard our disabled vessel.

Photo by Ramon Llorens, Jr. DSO-PB

NASHVILLE TN – On June 1st Some of the members of 082-11 had the privilege of being involved in a joint mission with the Coast Guard. We joined with a combined crew of Active Duty and Reservist to familiarize them with our area of the Cumberland and were also utilized in their training. We played the role of a stranded boat so their personnel could do some line handling and towing evolutions.

Around the AOR

Division Eleven had two Auxiliary boats on the water. The Cobia, with CoxswainBill Weeks and his crew made up of DNACO-MS Randy Ventress, Dave Knappand Ramon Llorens. The other boat was Sea Boss with Coxswain Brad Cochrane at the helm with crew members Paul Fernandez, Michael Debiase and Joel Buckberg. The Active Duty / Reserve crew was made up of Coxswain BM1 Haubenstricker, BM2 Lipsey, ME1 Smith, ME1 Boudreau, MK2 Jansen, and EM2 belle. The crew which had just begun working together was also getting familiarized with one of the new 29’s

and putting it through its paces. They practiced throwing heaving lines to us and took us under tow us by our anchor cleat which we attached. After that, they took us into a side tow position. It was a great learning experience as we saw the operating procedure their crews use to get the job done with the equipment they have aboard their boat.

The extra 10 feet or more of their 29 footer compared to our 18 foot boat created some towing dynamics that were a bit different than the boats we have traditionally trained with. The thickness of their standard tow lines were also an issue we had to fi gure out. Some of their lines were so thick in fact, they were a challenge to get a good byte and a turn on our recreational boat size cleats.This was a great learning experience witha dash of adventure, and working along side this Crew demonstrated our placeon TEAM COAST GUARD.

Photo by Ramon Llorens, Jr. DSO-PB

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Joint Proclamation for National Safe Boating Week May 18th thru May 24th 2019 Photo and Article by Diane Gilman SO-ADSO/PA

Proclamation for National Safe Boating WeekSmyrna Tennessee, Story by Ramon Llorens, Jr. DSO-PB

CLARKSVILLE TN — A National Safe BoatingWeek Proclamation signed May 1, 2019 by Jim Durrett, Mayor of Montgomery County and Joe Pitts, Mayor of the City of Clarksville declaring May 18th thru May 24th, 2019 a special week, as the busy season of on the water activities begin and the public participates in many water based recreational activities. The United States Coast Guard and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 11-07, Clarksville / Fort Campbell, promotes public awareness of the important things every boater should realize about boating safety. The National Safe Boating Week Proclamation encourages all boaters to wear their life jackets, know the “Rules of the Road” on the water, boat responsibly and take a safe boating class.

SMYRNA TN — On May 14th 2019, Ramon Llorens, Jr. Flotilla Commander, 11-04 and Buell Noteboom Division Commander were presented a beautiful copy of a Safe Boater Week Proclamation which was read publiclyat the Town of Smyrna Town Council Meeting. The meeting was streamed live on the Townof Smyrna Home page and archived there.

Excerpts from the Proclamation as read: The U.S. Coast Guard and its federal, state, and local safe boating partners encourage all boaters to explore and enjoy America’s beautiful waters responsibly. Now, Therefore, by the authority vested in me as Mayor of the Town of Smyrna, I do hereby proclaim May 18-24, 2019 as Safe Boating Week and the start of the year-roundeffort to promote safe boating.

Further, I urge all those who boat to practice safe boating habits and wear a life jacket at all times while boating.

Proclaimed, this 14th day of May, 2019

L to R: Jim Durett, Mayor Montgomery County;Dale Leighton, Flotilla 11-07 Commander; William Welty, IMP Flotilla 11-07 Commander; and Joe Pitts, Mayor City of Clarksville.

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Members of Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 11-01: Commander Joe Grubbs, Eddie Malone, Vice Commander Russell Aschinger and Training Offi cer Lillard Waddle. Nashville TN Circa 1962

the nations inland waterways and rivers.Of course during the war years, you wouldn’t have wanted to let the enemy know where the nation would be vulnerable to attack. Nashville had a very strong Auxiliary which played an important role in monitoring and protecting the Cumberland which had ship building operations, a chemical plant and critical railroad crossings.

After the war, Auxiliarists resumed their recreational boating safety duties. The Auxiliary’s four cornerstones:

Vessel ExaminationEducationOperationsFellowshipwere established and remain the Auxiliary’s pillars today.Today’s Auxiliarists continue to be a vital part of the Coast Guard. Under legislation passed in 1996, the Auxiliary’srole was expanded to allow members to assist in any Active Duty Coast Guard mission, except direct law enforcement and military operations, as authorized by the Commandant.Thus, Auxiliarists are an integral part of the three components of the service, The Active Duty Coast Guardsmen, The Reservists, and Auxiliarists, which constitute TEAM COAST GUARD.With 80 years of history, We, The Coast Guard Auxiliary are as relevant than ever.

Wear YourLife Jacketto Work DayWear YourLife Jacketto Work DayTo kick off Safe Boater Week, the Challenge was made to Wear Your Life Jacket to Work and send a selfi einto River Currents. This was a fun way toput light onto theserious subject ofboater safety.Some of thosewho participatedwere:

Larry Carter

Ramon Llorens, Jr.

Kevin Gallagher.

To kick off Safe Boater Week, the Challenge was made to Wear Your Life Jacket to Work and send a selfi einto River Currents. This was a fun way toput light onto theserious subject ofboater safety.Some of thosewho participatedwere:

Larry Carter

Ramon Llorens, Jr.

Kevin Gallagher.

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Hendersonville Tennessee – On Saturday February 26th, Division 11 Commander, Buell Noteboom along with Flotilla 11-02 Commander Kelley Crecelius traveled to Memorial Park in Hendersonville to take part in a unique boating event. While not directly associated with recreational boater safety or Vessel Exams, their presence made a great contribution to the event and brought the Auxiliary as a whole more local exposure.

They were participating in an event put on by Borderless Arts Tennessee called Water Warriors. The Borderless Arts organizationoffer a fun, enriching array of arts program-ming all year and throughout the state for youth with and without disabilities, as well as for teachers looking for resources to guide talented students in the arts.

Water Warriors Coast Guard Auxiliarists Supporting our Community

This event was billed as a boat race, the focus of which was to create a fl oating sculpture or boat with the theme of Water Conservation. The participants were separated into teams and each was to produce a design using simple tools and scrap materials similar to waste that might be found in our rivers and streams. Buell and Kelley rolled up their sleeves and jumped right in to help. I am sure the enthusiasm of the kids was contagious and made them feel like kids again too.

Above: Kelley Crecelius helping with the build

Their AUXLAMS training and leadership skills no doubt came in handy. The designs were ultimately raced and judged based on the creative design as well as the power to convey the message of Water Conser-vation. It was a beautiful spring day and everyone grew from the experience. Kelley remarked that the entire experience working with the children and adults with special needs as well as the college age volunteers was phenomenal.

Lori Kissinger one of the key organizers wrote: A huge thank you to every single one of you for your participation and support in the Water Warrior’s event! What an amazing day!

Photo by DCDR Buell Noteboom

Photo by Libby Michelle Portraits

Photo by Libby Michelle Portraits

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Mark Lapenna, DSO-AV; Steve Campbell, Aircraft Commander; Jared Fuqua, Air crew; H. William Smith, Air Observer; Don Hunicutt, Aircraft Cdr. Huntsville AL; LCDR. Lloyd, Liaison - AUXLO Air Station Mobile; and Pete Evans, Air Crew

Above: Pete Evans; Judith Redlawsk, CG & FAA; Nick McManus; Arthur Albertson; Jim Williamson;Diane Mazarakis; Henry Silverman; Jennifer Stack, CG & FAA; Kathleen Ruhan; and H. William Smith

SMYRNA TENNESSEE - Aviation trainingwas conducted December 1st on site at Smyrna / Rutherford Country Airport (MQY). A lot of great training was accomplished. The training wrapped up with a swim at the nearby YMCA, then some food and fellowship at one of the local Mexican restaurants

AuxAir Training 2019 Written by James Williamson, Edited by Ramon Llorens, ADSO-PB

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – On February 3rd 2019, nine AUXAIR Aviators gathered for AUX-18 C-School at the Mike MonroneyAeronautical Center, Federal Aviation Administration Headquarters for a FAA instructed course on Credit Resource Management (CRM), Survival, and Cold Weather Water Immersion Protocols. Four of the nine: Pete Evans (Gunz), H. William Smith (Griz), Nick McManus (Hutch), and Jim Williamson (Numbers) were from District Eight Eastern Rivers. Both of the AUXAIR Instructor/Pilots were from 5th Southern District. Instructor Judith Redlawsk who is a Corporate Pilot fl ies a Robinson Helicopter when fl ying for AUXAIR, and the other Instructor, Jenny Stack fl ies a twin engine Cessna 337 for AUXAIR missions. Sunday night after arrival, we met for dinner in Oklahoma City. We offi cially convened for formal introductionsand class formatfrom Jenny and Judith. In addition we had FAA instructors who were former Air Force personnelwho were very detailed and well versed in their course delivery.

Training included classroom instruction, smoke fi lled air plane fuselage and exit (count the arm rests to the nearest exit). Then we moved on to survival techniques in a cold environment chamber, we are talking really cold! We learned techniques such as using a raft or an airplane fuselage as shelter. Imagine, three of us huddling as we awaited rescue. Of course Fellowshipis one of the Auxiliaries tenants,

Photo by Jim Williamson

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but one really gets to know ones fellow AUXAIR Pilots in a situation like this.

So much practical knowledge can be gained from these exercises and training, for instance, did you know if your feet are cold wearing a hat can help them regain warmth? Then we spent over 2 1/2 hours in the water (pool), in fl ight suits. We climbed into 6 person rafts, we bailed water and demonstrated the use of the overhead canopy to signal for help. Fortunately our raft had balance bags underneath for stability because the next task was to egress and swim to a basket hoist climb in and be raised by pulleys, simulating a Coast Guard helicopter rescue. I can tell you, getting rescued can be quite taxing.On the last day of training we went intothe Pressure Chamber with Oxygen deprivation. We monitored our symptomsof hypoxia after 1 then 2 - 3 - 4 and fi ve minutes with our instructor requesting us to perform specifi c tasks such as adding numbers, completing a maze with a penciland answering simple questions. It was really hard to focus after 4 to 5 minutes as oxygen was reduced from 95% saturation down to 70 %. We were then asked to document our symptoms.

An important acronym we took away with us was: S.T.O.P.

Another mnemonic device was, In cold water immersion utilize the 1/10/1 principle.The training was incredible and very informative. As always it was benefi cial meeting with fellow Coast Guard Auxiliaristsfor fellowship and to talk about what we do through AUXAIR in particular.

Basic Survival training consists of information on the following topics with hands-on, Lab, application where indicated (listed in order of presentation):

• Psychology of Survival• Overview of Search & Rescue Operations• Personal Survival Kits• Fire Starting with Lab• Hot Land Survival• Cold Land Survival• Signaling with Lab (weather permitting)• Aircraft (Smoke) Evacuation with Lab• Ditching and Sea Survival• Underwater Egress• Water Survival Lab consisting of:• Ditching and Egress• Flotation and Swimming• Raft Boarding and Righting• Rescue (pick-up) Devices• Shallow Water Egress Trainer (Voluntary)

urvival t

FAA Airman EducationProgram Basic SurvivalSkills Course Content

Eddy Smith of 082-16-02 Chattanooga, has been one busy Auxiliarist. After spending 9 daysunderway on the USCG Cutter Obion out of Owensboro Kentucky, he then reported for duty on the USCGC Chippewa, home ported in Buchanan, Tennessee also known as Land Between the Lakes. Eddy served on both cutters as an (AUXFS) Auxiliary Food Service trained member of the crew.

The 75-foot Chippewa, with its aids-to-navigation barge, is 205 feet long with a crew of 14. While underway, the crew works from sunrise to sunset. Their work ranges from moving and maintaining buoys using the cutter’s capstan and crane and good old fashioned man-power to cutting down the brush and trees that are in the way of navigational aids using chain saws, brush cutters, machetes. They say “an army runs on its stomach” with this kind of work I’m sure the Coast Guard does too, then when you factor in the stifl ing heat and humidity, these guys will certainly work up a healthy appetite.

Eddy has a habit of pampering the Coasties even to the point of bringing his own fully seasoned smoker with him. After many hours of enduring the aroma from the smoker the crew couldn’t take it any longer. The brisket he had planned for dinner was eaten for lunch!I almost feel sorry for the crew of the Cimarron next door, but I know for a fact they have an outstanding Culinary Specialist of their own.

But don’t take my word for the outstanding job Eddy and our Auxiliary Food Service folks are doing, see what the offi cers in charge said:

“We can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for us during this underway period, but suffi ce it to say that without your smiles, stories and exceptional meals, this trip and the morale of the crew would not have been as positive and productive as it truly was. You are welcome aboard any time,

Eddy, and we look forward to your return.”

– C.L. Morgan, BMCS, Offi cer in Charge USCGC Obion

“Auxiliarist Smith prepared healthy meals of the highest quality, maintained a clean, orderly galley and maintained an exceptionallyconstructive, confi dent and positive demeanor.” We commend you and your Flotilla for retaining such high performing members like Auxiliarist Eddy Smith. The Chippewa has benefi ted greatly from his presence, professionalism and dedication to duty.”

– C.J. Crum, BMC, Executive Petty Offi cer, Offi cer in Charge USCGC Chippewa

Story Submitted by David Cox - DCDREdited by Ramon Llorens, Jr. - DSO-PB

Auxiliary Food Service on the River

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Smyrna Tennessee – March 20th 2019After much anticipation It was fi nally the day!

To bring some perspective to this story we have to go back a few years. On June 2nd 2018, while preparing for the Great Tennessee Air Show, Blue Angel Pilot, Marine Captain Jeff Kuss lost his life when his plane went down during a practice fl ight over Smyrna Tennessee. Capt. Kuss had the task of fl ying Blue Angel #6 which by some accounts is the most daring of positions to fl y. Upon hearing the news, there was an outpouring of emotion and support for the Captain’s family and fellowBlue Angels. There were candle light vigils organized within hours and people began to put Blue Angel Plane silhouette decals with the number 6 on their cars. A bridge on Sam Ridley Parkway was renamed in honor of Jeff Kuss, but It still didn’t seem to be enough.

The Town of Smyrna and Middle Tennesseein general had ad-opted Captain Kuss and his family as one of our own. Several volunteer groups including the Rotary Club along with the Town of Smyrna launched a bold initiative to create a lasting memorial to the Captain.

What they designed and built is truly remarkable, but it also came with a hefty price tag. The icing on the cake is an actual Blue Angel FA-18 Hornet much like the one Captain Kuss fl ew, which is in place on loan from the National Naval Aviation Museum.

usmc captain jeff kussmemorial paverWritten By Ramon Llorens, Jr. DSO-PB

From what I understand, some strings had to be pulled, infl uence peddled, and some favors granted, to make that happen. One of the caveats was the site had to be to a standard befi tting such a placement. Butat the end of the day, everyone involved worked together and made it happen in an incredibly short amount of time.

Unclouded Day A Memorial and dedication ceremony was held on the site June 9th 2018 just two yearsafter that tragic day. Christina Kuss, Jeff’s wife was one of the speakers. She expressed her gratitude to the people of Middle Tennessee who have continued to reach out to her and continue to give her support “You all love him so much, thank you. You have grieved for me and our babies”… she said.

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Another Speaker, Navy Captain Ryan Bernacchi who was the fl ight leader of the Blue Angels in 2016 stated: “About the bravery of a man like Kooch, and the American Spirit that drove him”.“Our Country is a better place to live in because it contains human beings who will give up ease and security and stake their own lives in order to do what they themselvesthink is worth doing.”

The Town of Smyrna decided this memorialwas worth doing. Did I mention it cost a lot of money? About 1 million dollars I’m told.

Having attended the Memorial and Tributeit came to our attention that we too could do our part and be recognized for the ef-fort. The Smyrna Rotary Club was spearheading the sale of paving blocks which would be placed on the grounds. We pitched the idea to the Flotilla on July 18, 2018 at the regular business meeting.The fl otilla was receptive, but wanted to see a few more details. The vote was tabled and I volunteered to come up with some designs. After doing some research, we opted for the 12” x 12” block at $1000 which would allowus to use our logoas well as lettering.The design was voted on and approved on AUG. 20th 2019. The design was then forwarded to the Town of Smyrna and the etchers.

It’s been a waiting game since then. The company tasked with doing the work had certain requirements to be able to do the sand blasting of the designs. Rain was a major problem as Summer turned to Fall. They really needed a week of dry sunny weather to dry out the concrete so their stencils would adhere to the pavement to render the fi ne details and a nice crisp design.

Enter SandmanWe fi nally got word it would be done on March 20th 2019. We wanted to make sure we got a good spot and the design was rendered accurately, so Division Com-mander Buell Noteboom was there on site in ODU’s at 9 am. Karen Martin of Class Glass arrived with more than 50 designs in hand and began the process of choosing the placements for each. Once the morn-ing dew burned off, the actual stenciling and sandblasting began. And yes, we se-lected an awesome spot directly below the nose of the plane. As it would happen, I work less than a mile from the memorial, so I was able to drive over during my lunch hour to see how it was going. The process was interesting to say the least.

Photo by Ramon Llorens, Jr. DSO-PB 14

Above: Karen Martin of Class Glass meticulously placing the stencil of our design on the paver.Previous Page: DCDR Buell Noteboom observes as the design is being prepared for sand blasting.Below: Karen Martin suited up and sand blasting.

Photo by Ramon Llorens, Jr. DSO-PB Photo by DCDR Buell Noteboom 15

Above: Final Paving Block with our design on it. Above: The dedication placque at the memorial

I came back after work and saw the fi nal results. Voila! The design is a success. I was impressed and relieved, that the fi nal piece was nearly identical to the mock-up the Flotilla approved seven months before. It feels good to be a part of something biggerthan oneself and to give to the community in a lasting way. As members of 11-04, you can be proud to know that each and every one of us has a stake in the Kuss Memorial. It was indeed “worth it”.

Jeff Kuss Memorial as seen from the air 16