Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation Awarded To Lakewood Members

U.S.C.G Aux. Division 7 Commander Virginia Suda receiving the award. Photo by Larry Peltz
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According to the ODNR Boating Accident Report for 2005-2009, there were 285 accidents on Lake Erie involving 371 vessels, 147 injuries, and 15 fatalities. Cuyahoga County alone has 23,972 boats registered. Because greater Clevelanders are hard workers and guardians of the boating and marine environment, on April 3rd Captain Burchell, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Coast Guard Sector Buffalo representing Commandant of the Coast Guard presented the “Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation” to The Cleveland Moorings Boating Safety and Marine Environmental Education Team. Demonstrating exceptional commitment and cooperative initiative Auxiliarists from Divisions 5, 6, and 7 of the Ninth Eastern Region and Division 16 of the Ninth Central Region combined forces with active duty and reserve members of Coast Guard Station Cleveland Harbor and Marine Safety Unit Cleveland to encourage boating and water safety, provide awareness of environmental concerns and promote America’s Waterway Watch and the Sea Partner Program on a massive scale. 

During this period, 80 team members volunteered their support at 15 events across the greater Cleveland metropolitan area at venues such as the Mid-America Boat and Fishing Show, Cleveland Outdoor Adventure Show, the Cuyahoga Burning River Fest, and 2010 Tall Ships Festival.

The team’s innovative use of educational and interactive hands-on materials included knot tying demonstrations and tests, a low-head dam model, marine invasive species samples and a variety of eye-catching media, drew the attention of children and adults alike. 

With a combined estimated total of 264,000 visitors in attendance at these events, there was ample opportunity for team members to raise awareness and to foster a greater understanding of Coast Guard boating safety and marine safety missions. The team accumulated an astounding 6,248 hours of face-to-face contact with Northern Ohio’s boating public and outdoor recreational enthusiasts.

Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 7 team members include Lakewood residents Bruce Harris, Kevin Kelley, John Mazzei, Larry Peltz, and Virginia Suda, the first woman Commander of Division 7. 

For further information about the Coast Guard Auxiliary, contact Dave Romaine at daveromaine@gmail.com.

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard created by an Act of Congress in 1939. The Auxiliary, America's Volunteer Guardians, supports the Coast Guard in nearly all of the service's missions including public education classes and free vessel safety checks.