MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Commander Richard S. Thomas, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 8-8, was the great speaker at the Lake County Republican Women Federated's June 12 luncheon at Twin Pine Casino in Middletown.

He presented a program on the US Coast Guard America's Waterway Watch, a function carried out wherever there are Auxiliary members.

This mission is carried out by members reporting such things as boats being seen too close to a bridge, materials of a suspicious nature being carried on a boat or dropping someone off at other than a normal location. See something, say something. This activity helps guard our nation.

Following is a summation of information passed to LCRWF by Commander Thomas.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed, all-volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard.

The auxiliary was created by an Act of Congress in 1939, and has grown to over 32,000 members who daily support the Coast Guard in all its non-military, and non-law-enforcement missions. It has members and units in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa and Guam.

In our area, auxiliary members conduct free vessel safety checks and teach boating safety classes for the public, provide boating safety literature to dealers, as well as many other activities related to recreational boating safety. They may assist in search and rescue. Members are always alert for trouble on the waters.

The Coast Guard considers the auxiliary its primary resource for recreational boating safety outreach and prevention. The flotilla also interacts with the Fort Bragg Coast Guard Station.

How does one become a member of the auxiliary? Both men and women, age 17 and older, can become members. Young people in particular are encourage to join and take the training. This not only prepares them with a discipline for life, but should they wish to enter military service, this prior service will be a great advantage to them.

Lake County Republican Women Federated, as an organization, encourages our community to appreciate and support the activities of our local flotilla.

The commander's program was very informative and he also welcomed questions from members.

More information about the local flotilla can be found on the Flotilla 8-8, District 11NR Web Site.

Leona M. Butts is vice president and publicity chair of Lake County Republican Women Federated.