Return to District 9ER's Home Page.
Recognition for outstanding performance was a recurring event at the Fall District Conference last September as Commodore Nancy Rutiger, Coast Guard Commander Nathan Podoll and Coast Guard Rear Admiral Michael Parks presented awards.
 Rear Admiral Michael Parks, commander of the Ninth Coast Guard District, pins the Meritorious Service Medal on Commodore Nancy Rudiger. |
 David Troutman accepts Meritorious Team Commendation on behalf of the Flotilla 26 search-and-rescue team. Presenting the award is Commander Nathan Podoll, director of the Auxiliary for the Ninth District. |
Admiral Parks took a moment to focus attention on outgoing District Commodore Rudiger, awarding her the Coast Guard Auxiliary Meritorious Service Medal. He said she helped to advance the strategic objectives of the Coast Guard's Great Lakes Maritime Strategy. During Rudiger's tenure, the 9th District Eastern Auxiliary championed paddlesports safety and instituted the Standardized Auxiliary Boat Operations Training (SABOT) initiative. SABOT is now being implemented at Auxiliary units across the U.S. Rudiger also motivated auxiliarists to perform 18,400 hours of operational support, conduct more than 16,200 vessel safety checks and marine dealer visits, and teach 1,469 public education classes, all of which combined to save 29 lives, assist more than 400 boaters and save more than $2.1 million in property.
District Legal Officer Douglas Cream of East Aurora, NY received the Coast Guard Auxiliary Meritorious Service Medal for his work with national Auxiliary offices and participation in joint U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard exercises.
With the district news magazine, Eastwind, being named best in the nation, Admiral Parks presented the national first place award to Editor and Publications Officer Mark Thomas of Hamlin, NY..
Incoming Commodore Robert Laurer received the Coast Guard Auxiliary Commendation Medal "for outstanding achievement" as chief of staff from 2010 through 2012.
The Sylvan Beach, NY Flotilla 26 search-and-rescue team of David Troutman, Robert Newton, Ralph Moore and Mitch Ford received the Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation "for exceptionally meritorious service" from July 5 to July 6, 2012, while searching for survivors of a fatal recreational boating accident on Oneida Lake.
Dale Currier of Oswego, NY (a member of Syracuse Flotilla 21) received the coveted AUXOP (Auxiliary Operations) Device, recognizing completion of rigorous courses and training.
District Member Training Officer Clark Godshall of Barker, NY received the Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Device, recognizing "extraordinary effort" in support of RBS programs and "compiling 120 points (hours) per year for two consecutive years for work in public education, public affairs, vessel safety checks, visitation, and legislative and state outreach."
Nine Auxiliarists received Coast Guard Auxiliary Achievement Medals "in recognition of their sustained professional and/or leadership achievements in administration or operations." The recipients are:
- District Captains Michael McGrath and Robert Scofield.
- Division 2 Commander Helen "Lou" Cummings of Utica, NY.
- Division 4 Commander Linda Taylor of Rochester, NY.
- Donald Tedford of Chaumont, NY, immediate past commander and operations staff officer for Flotilla 12.
- Division 7 Commander Virginia Suda of Lakewood, OH.
- Glen Harman of Canton, OH, district staff officer for vessel examination.
- District Training Officer Clark Godshall of Barker, NY.
- Division 2 Vice Commander John Steinbarge of Baldwinsville, NY.
Five Auxiliarists received the Auxiliary Commandant's Letter of Commendation. They are:
- Helen and Steeg Johnson of Williamsville, NY, district staff officers for materials.
- District Operations Officer Lew Wargo of Clarence, NY.
- David Troutman of Rome, NY, who serves with Flotilla 26 as communications services officer, vessel examiner, and AUXCHEF (auxiliary chef supporting Station Oswego).
- Robert Moscato of Lancaster, NY, past staff officer for public education for Flotilla 32.