Eleven members of the Seward Flotilla, USCG Auxiliary, attended the annual District 17 Training Conference in Anchorage over the Presidents Day weekend. The conference included Division Board meetings, qualifications workshop for public affairs, boat crew training, Vessel Examiners training, radio communications, data entry and much, much more.
At the Awards Luncheon on Saturday, Feb 17 the following Seward Flotilla members were acknowledged for their service in 2006:

Sue Lang received an Auxiliary Vessel Exam/Program Visitor Award for conducting 32 Vessel Safety Checks and 60 Marine Dealer Visits.
Craig Williamson received an Auxiliary Operations Annual Service Award for 90 Operational Hours and 14 Operational Support Hours
The Auxiliary Station Seward Award was presented to Alan Drake, Lanice Drake, Craig Williamson, Orson Smith, David Popken, Barbara Popken, Kevinn Smith of the Seward Flotilla as well as Gary & Pam Taylor, Richard & Pat Fairbanks, Shane Taylor, Terri Telkamp, and Andy Buhler of Anchorage and Charlie Audino of Eagle River.
An Auxiliary Public Affairs Award was presented to Sue Lang for 42 Public Affairs Missions
At Sunday’s Awards Banquet Division 2 awards were presented by Roy Stoddard Division 2 Captain in 2006 and Commodore Michael Folkerts:

Seward Flotilla for the Most Specialty Courses completed by a flotilla

Sue Lang - Outstanding Auxiliarist of the Year       
A Presidential Unit Citation and ribbon was awarded to all Auxiliarists of record during Hurricane Katrina.
District 17 Awards were presented by Commodore Michael Folkerts and Rear Admiral Gene Brooks, Commandant 17^th Coast Guard District:

Craig Williamson - Auxiliary Award for Operational Merit
Kevinn Smith - Meritorious Team Commendation for the Coxswain Academy
Sue Lang - Recreational Boating Safety Visitation Program Award
Sue Lang - LCDR Christopher G. Honse Award.  This award is named for the former District 17 Director of Auxiliary LCDR Christopher Honse and is presented “…to the Auxiliarist who demonstrated development, planning and execution of a leading edge idea.”
                                                                                   
These awards represent hundreds of hours by members of the Seward Flotilla.

For additional information on the many benefits of an auxiliary membership or to learn about other public boating programs available call Sue Lang at 224-8237, Craig Williamson at 224-2476 and Orson Smith at 224-2526 or visit the flotilla website at http://a1700205.uscgaux.info/index.html.
The next meeting of the Seward Flotilla is Friday, March 9 at 7:00PM at the Elks Hall, 419 5^th Ave, Seward.

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the civilian, uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard, as well as the lead volunteer force in the Department of Homeland Security.  Founded in 1939 by an Act of Congress as the US Coast Guard Reserves and re-designated the Auxiliary in 1941. The 31,000 volunteer members (men and women) donate thousands of hours in support of the Coast Guard and Maritime Domain Awareness missions, such as Search & Rescue, Public Education, and Marine Environmental Protection.