MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Commander Rich Thomas, Lake County Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 8-8, will be guest speaker at the Lake County Republican Women Federated June 12 luncheon.

The luncheon will take place in the private dining room inside the casino, next to the Manzanita Restaurant, at the Twin Pine Casino and Hotel, Middletown.

Commander Thomas will discuss the “US Coast Guard America's Waterway Watch and the Mission Exploration of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary.”

Thomas is also currently commodore in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. As district commodore two years ago, he was No. 1 in charge of District 11 North, which covered all of Nevada, Utah and from Monterrey to the Oregon Border. The position was in the top four highest positions nationwide. Although now commander of the local flotilla, he will always retain the title of commodore.

A resident of Lake County for 35 years, he was the charter president of the Middletown Rotary Club, is a past president of Middletown-Cobb Merchant Association, past Lake County Chairperson American Red Cross and past fire commissioner for Lake County District One. He is currently in his fifth term as California Superior Court probate referee for Lake and Mendocino.

Flotilla 8-8 celebrated its 50th anniversary on Jan. 20, 2019, yet very few people are aware of the work the U S Coast Guard Auxiliary does here on Clear Lake and throughout the country.

All women and men are welcome at Lake County Republican Women Federated meetings by reservation. If you are not on the LCRWF call list, please phone 707-998-3027 by June 10 to place your luncheon reservation and a contact phone number.

Attendees should start arriving by 11:30 a.m. For lunch, each will order from a “special menu for the day.”

Come to renew your membership or be a first-timer and join this active organization. Membership is open to registered Republican women (includes membership to CRFW and NFRW and their newsletters and important announcements). Men may join as associate members.

Leona Butts is publicity chair for the Lake County Republican Women Federated.