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Community Corner

Westchester Legislators Salute Verplanck Coast Guard Auxiliary

The Westchester County Board of Legislators (BOL) honored the Verplanck Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 6-4 this week on the occasion of its 15th anniversary, and as the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary (USCG Aux) celebrates its 75th anniversary. In recognition of these milestones, a special proclamation was awarded to the members of Verplanck Flotilla by BOL Majority Leader Catherine Borgia (D-Ossining) and BOL Minority Leader John Testa (R-Peekskill). 

Established by Congress in 1939, the USCG Aux is the uniformed component of the U.S. Coast Guard, and supports all of its operational, administrative and logistical duties and responsibilities short of direct law enforcement and military action. Primarily, the USCG Aux, comprised entirely of volunteers, helps promote and improve recreational boating safety, while also providing trained crews and facilities to augment and enhance safety and security of ports, waterways and coastal regions. 

“Westchester residents truly benefit from having a number of Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotillas in operation up and down the Hudson River,” said Borgia. “The Verplanck Flotilla stands as an active organization that readily safeguards boating in our part of the river. The members do an outstanding job, and I’m proud to help them celebrate their achievements.” 

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The USCG Aux motto is Semper Paratus—“always ready.” There are 34,000 auxiliary members nationwide, and it is estimated that their 4.2 million hours of operational and administrative efforts helped save US taxpayers over $200 million last year. Coast Guard auxiliary members were also involved in rescue operations that saved over 470 lives last year as well. 

“Congratulations to the Verplanck flotilla of the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary on its fifteenth anniversary,” said Testa. “I grew up along the Hudson River and have watched as the traffic from recreational boaters and fishermen has grown tremendously over the years.  We are very fortunate to have the Coast Guard Auxiliary standing by to assist us and help keep us safe.” 

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Last month, members of the Verplank, Port Chester and Mamaroneck Coast Guard Auxiliaries participated in a Team Coordination Training seminar at the Washington Irving Boat Club in Tarrytown. The training program was aimed at improving decision-making through better leadership, preparation and attention to detail, all of which will result in highly-skilled auxiliarists helping to safeguard local waters this summer.

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