Coast Guard Auxiliarist and Marlton Flotilla Member is Really Cookin'
Mark Murdy, Coast Guard Auxiliary Culinary Assistant honored as Fifth District, Northern Region Auxiliarist of the Year

Recognizing the ever increasing role The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary plays in the day to day operations of the Active Duty Coast Guard, a joint Change of Watch banquet was held on Friday, January 12, 2024, at Marlton New Jersey’s Gibson House. Coast Guard officers and enlisted personnel and Auxiliary members shared dinner, awards and recognitions, in addition to the annual swearing in ceremony for Coast Guard Auxiliarists holding Staff Officer positions.  

Special recognition was given to Auxiliarist Mark Murdy, of Hainesport, NJ, named Division 5 Northern Region Auxiliarist of the Year. Mr. Murdy volunteers nearly 900 hours each year “serving” as a trained, qualified Coast Guard Auxiliary Culinary Assistant. 

Christmas Day at Coast Guard Station Cape May 2023

Sneaky Santa Surprises Cape May Coast Guard Ships on Christmas Day

We have the secret photos to prove it. On Christmas Day, in broad daylight, Santa made a sneaky visit to distribute candy canes to crew members on the ships stationed at the Coast Guard Training Center, Cape May, New Jersey. Our surreptitious Santa even remembered the proper procedure, saluting the colors as he came aboard the 154 foot USCGC Lawrence Lawson.


1. Unaware he is being monitored, Santa approaches USCGC Lawrence Lawson, stationed at the Coast Guard Training Center, Cape May, NJ.

2. Santa salutes the colors as he sneaks aboard USCGC Lawrence Lawson, Cape May, NJ, bearing candy for the crew.

3. Preparing to celebrate Christmas with the crew of USCGC Lawrence Lawson, Cape May, NJ

Further investigation revealed Santa was acting in support of Coast Guard Auxiliarist Mark Murdy, of Hainesport, NJ and a member of the Flotilla based in Marlton, NJ. When asked why Santa used the normal boarding technique climbing across the brow, Santa replied, “The Coast Guard Cutters have no chimneys!”

Santa finally caught in his highly recognizable pose, wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!

 

The photos were taken by Coast Guard Auxiliarist Mike Slepian of Marlton, NJ, who was standing watch on the Cutter Heron, docked nearby. Members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary often relieve active duty Coast Guard crew members, giving them some well-earned time off.

For Gloucester City High School, Naval Junior ROTC Recognizes Veterans Day
Former Navy and Coast Guard Chief Leads the Successful Program
Coast Guard Auxiliary Members are Annual Participants

Every November, they arrive at Southern New Jersey’s Gloucester City High School. Veterans from all services and campaigns join Active Duty members of the United States Air Force, Army, Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary, Navy and Marine Corps. They come at the invitation of the High Schools’ Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, to commemorate Veterans Day. After a solemn flag ceremony, NJROTC Cadets and other students hear presentations from the military members and Auxiliarists Armand D’Auria, Michael Slepian and Jim Wintrode.

Students also experience many poignant stories from veterans. A spirited question and answer session and coffee and donuts round up the day. It’s all part of a series of training and events throughout the school year, emphasizing citizenship and leadership development. 

 
Cadets take part in an accredited curriculum, including classroom instruction on seamanship, meteorology, navigation and naval operations. The goal is to promote patriotism, and instill respect for authority, personal honor, self-reliance and leadership skills.

The Cadets at Gloucester High are fortunate to be led by retired Chief Petty Officer Stephen LaBenski, a highly experienced former member of the United States Navy and later, the United States Coast Guard. Chief LaBenski’s efforts prove worthwhile. “Some of my former Cadets have joined the United States Coast Guard.” Citing a particularly prestigious example, LaBenski continued, “A former student of mine graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy and is currently a Coast Guard pilot.” Success even extended to a non-Cadet student the Chief mentored. The student joined the Coast Guard, recently reenlisted and is now stationed at Sector Delaware Bay in Philadelphia.

Serving in the Navy from 1990 to 1999 on the aircraft carrier Forrestal during Desert Storm, and other assignments, CPO LaBenski then joined the United States Coast Guard, serving on numerous deployments in the Caribbean Sea, enforcing commercial fishing requirements, drug smuggling and migrant intervention. Having enjoyed his years in the Navy, he was ready to exchange a war footing for a more life-saving approach. “Joining the United States Coast Guard was one of my best life decisions.

Chief LaBenski is quick to point out that Navy JROTC is not only for students planning a military career. “Many former Cadets come back and say how much of an impact the program has had on them. The Cadets learn leadership, a sense of accomplishment, teamwork, working with others, military as a possible career, the US Navy and a lot of topics similar to a Civics class of yesteryear.”

Citing the positive impact the Gloucester High School NJROTC program, Sean Gorman, Gloucester High School Superintendent, added, The NJROTC program has had a transformative impact on our beloved high school. “I have never witnessed a program, academic or extra-curricular, instill more pride, leadership skills, commitment to serving others and a sense of teamwork and community.”

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Photos:

Southern New Jersey’s Gloucester High School NJROTC Cadets enter school after participating in Flag ceremony

Chief Petty Officer Stephen LaBenski prepares his NJROTC Cadets for a Veterans Day photo

Southern New Jersey’s Gloucester High School NJROTC Cadets are joined for a group photo by Veterans and members of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary members Armand D’Auria, Mike Slepian and Jim Wintrode.

As fighter jets roared overhead, Coast Guard Auxiliarists from Marlton and other Southern New Jersey flotillas worked alongside their Coast Guard colleagues to provide an extra measure of on-water security during Thunder Over The Boardwalk, the spectacular annual air show, over Atlantic City, New Jersey, on Wednesday, September 2.  Auxiliary patrols helped maintain a safe area, free of spectator boats. 

More than 15 Coast Guard Auxiliary members took part in the day-long exercise, including Dave Tryon, shown manning an Auxiliary Facility as it passed Coast Guard Station Atlantic City. 

The Coast Guard showed its skill in "Helo Ops," demonstrating highly specialized search and rescue techniques, as tens of thousands of thrilled visitors watched from the beaches.

Auxiliarists spend hundreds of hours training and participating in patrol missions, on a completely volunteer basis.