Div9Events

Events
Below are just a few of the events that
Division 9 members support throughout the year.

	Division Calendar
USCG Band	U. S. Coast Guard Band helps South Hadley celebrate 250 years.
Fellowship	The Auxiliary is more than boating safety.
Auction	Late hours and frenetic phones do not stop Division 9
Post Card	Division 9 member serves aboard the USCG Cutter Bollard
S. Hadley	Honoring South Hadley in a post 4th of July parade
Big E	Getting the word to thousands about safe boating
Boston Light	The last CG owned light house now in Auxiliary hands
Majgier Help	Steve and Rose makes the Coast Guard feel "at home"
Coastie	When it winks at you...

U.S. Coast Guard Band helps South Hadley Celebrate 250 years

A near capacity crowd enjoyed the United States Coast Guard Band playing at the Mount Holyoke College Amphitheater on Wednesday 20 August 2003. Director, Captain Lewis J. Buckley and Assistant Director, CWO3 Kenneth W. Megan, Jr., led the band through music from Leonard Bernstein, Raphael Mendez, and John Williams "Summon the Heroes." The more traditional inspirational music was followed by selections from the U.S. Coast Guard Dixieland Band and the Big Band Era. The band was sponsored by The South Hadley Electric Light Company and Mount Holyoke College as part of the 250th anniversary of South Hadley, Massachusetts.

More than Boating Safety

There is another side to the boating safety, SAR, and Homeland Security duties of the USCG Auxiliary. Every so often members come together just to enjoy each others company. At a recent Division 9 cookout a Desert Contest revealed additional talents. It took a long time for the judges to come to a decision in each class, but three winners were eventually selected.

"Fellowship," the cornerstone of the Auxiliary.

WGBY Auction

For several years now, members of Division 9 have volunteered to help at the PBS station in Springfield, WGBY.

Tiring, but fun is probably the best description since the auction always run well past midnight.

Post card from the field

Division 9 member, Michael Merletti has been working on the USCG Cutter Bollard for over a year now. He recently became qualified to be in charge of the cutter while in port. Michael was also included in the crew member list and change of watch ceremony held in July.

In the photo to the left, Michael can be seen suited up for his fire training.

Members of Division 9 form the Color Guard in the 250th South Hadley Anniversary parade

A special parade

A somewhat unusual post 4th of July parade was held 5 July 2003 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of South Hadley, MA. An article appeared in the 6 July Sunday Republican detailing the wide variety of partcipants. Bob Stern, a photographer for The Republican, captured members of Division 9 forming the color guard for the United Stated Coast Guard Auxiliary. The caption incorrectly identifies our members as "Navy Reserve."

(Front to back: Mike Merletti, Loraine Lopardo, Eric Hurlin and Bob Lopardo forming the color guard.

Each year at the BIG E

Division 9 members spend many hours at the Eastern States Exposition. Thousands of visitors to the Big-E get information on safe boating and the important jobs performed by the United States Coast Guard and Auxiliary.

The PFD Panda helps kids realize that life jackets float...kids don't.

Adults can pick up the latest information on boating rules for New England states as well as Federal rules.

The giant auxiliary Panda helping kids realize that PFD's float, but kids don't.

Boston Light

Members of Division 9 have trained to be interpreters for the Boston Lighthouse located on Little Brewster Island in the harbor. Each team of trained members will spend no less than three days at Boston Light providing information for visitors from around the world.

The Coast Guard has now re-assigned the last crew and has turned the care of the light house over to the Auxiliary.

To learn more or make arrangements to visit - click on Boston Light.

Majgier Help

For years, Stephen and Rose Majgier of Chicopee have helped at the Brant Point Coast Guard Station on Nantucket Island. Both are members of the USCG Auxiliary and have spent numerous weekends cooking and performing maintenance at the station. There help has been especially appreciated by Coast Guard personnel who have to spend holidays, including Thanksgiving and Christmas on the island. Stephen and Rose have always made sure that a little bit of "home" was brought to Brant Point Station.

When he winks...

you will believe. Coastie, the remote controlled Coast Guard Tugboat, loves to show off his lights and horn. He can talk personally with each child, but enjoys chatting with parents too. You will see Coastie at the Big - E, boat shows, parades, and other events through out the Pioneer Valley.

Coastie, the Coast Guard Tug Boat talks to a Big - E visitor
A visitor to the BIG E
talks with Coastie about
safety on the water.

If you represent a school or other recognized organization, you may request that Coastie visit your kids. For more information contact the Public Education Officer.