Learning the ropes at US Coast Guard Auxiliary

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CONSTANCE O. IRVIN With a cry of “Heads up”, 9-year old Jorge Arzola of Lehigh Acres tosses the heaving line to Coast Guard Auxiliary 9-10 Flotilla Commander, Dennis Cherney, under the count-down command of Coast Guard Fireman Becca Rich. Jorge’s toss was right “on the money.”

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CONSTANCE O. IRVIN LTJG Michael Mastrianni, commanding officer of the US Coast Guard Cutter “Marlin” welcomes Candlelighter’s families aboard the vessel.

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U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Myers Beach hosted a visit for more than 50 members from Candlelighters of Southwest Florida on Saturday. The Candlelighters organization supports activities and gatherings for local children with cancer and for their families.

Klair Snellbaker, founder of the local organization, said, “The community has opened their arms to these children and their families for over 28 years. Today will be another meaningful day in their lives.”

Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 9-10, Fort Myers-Cape Coral, sponsored the event and provided lunch and snacks for the guests that the Coast Guard Station crew cooked and served in the station’s mess deck.

The large turnout for the Coast Guard Station event included tours aboard the US Coast Guard Cutter “Marlin” where children got to sit in the commander’s chair and then a tour of the Coast Guard’s smaller vessels, the 33-foot response boats.

The event that got their interest was in trying to heave a line to a vessel in distress. Under the watchful eye of USCG Fireman Becca Rich, children got a chance to try their skill in tossing a line to save a life. They delighted in learning what it means to be a Coast Guard “Guardian.”

Truly, their day will be a happy memory in learning the ropes at Station Fort Myers Beach.

–submitted by Constance O. Irvin, Coast Guard Auxiliary Public Affairs