A unique way to serve your country

GREEN BAY – There is a very unique way to serve your country and community in Green Bay.

“91 [years old] minus 20 and a half. I joined in 2004,” said Green Bay’s Flotilla 47-2, Titletown Guardians, Culinary Assistant Peter LeMere.

“The reason was I had an uncle who was career Coast Guard. I had a lot of memories of visiting Uncle Elmer, especially when he was at Kewaunee Station. We’d go down there quite a bit, because it wasn’t that far to visit him,” added LeMere, who also had several friends in the Coast Guard.

Culinary Assistant Jeffrey Feuerstein said he has been with the Flotilla, “probably been eight years — eight or nine years. I do some other volunteer things, so it is an opportunity to give back. You’re learning about boating and you’re giving back to the community,” he said.

“At the station here, we might cook for about maybe only half a dozen people for breakfast, maybe a dozen at lunchtime. On the [Coast Guard Cutter] Mobile Bay, we cook for about 12 for breakfast, and probably about 24 for lunchtime.”

Steak night is popular on the Mobile Bay.

“I’m pretty good on the grill,” Feuerstein added.

Established by Congress in 1939, the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is Semper Paratus —or “Always ready.”

The Green Bay Flotilla is one of approximately 980 Flotillas throughout the United States.

The “Titletown Guardians” are subordinate to Division 47 and District 9 Western Region.

There are also Division 47 Flotillas in Fond du Lac and Neenah/Menasha with detachments in Sheboygan and Sturgeon Bay.

Cooking breakfast for active-duty Coast Guard personnel is just one of many ways the all-volunteer Coast Guard Auxiliary augments active-duty Coast Guard.

The Green Bay Flotilla’s primary mission is to enhance the safety and security of the public on America’s waterways.

The volunteers accomplish this mission by conducting boating safety classes and seminars for boaters of all experience levels, and by offering free vessel safety checks to ensure boats meet regulatory requirements.

Other Flotilla staff officer positions and duties include communications, finance, information systems, marine safety and environmental protection, navigation services, public education, human resources, vessel examinations and operations.

Unit leaders are voted into positions and there are no maximum age or physical requirements.

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Auxiliary is an essential component of maritime safety and security, offering opportunities for individuals to serve their country and communities.

Through its diverse roles and democratic leadership structure, the Auxiliary empowers volunteers to make a significant impact.

For more on USCG Auxiliary membership, visit join.cgaux.org/eligibility.php.

If interested in joining the Green Bay Flotilla, visit wow.uscgaux.info/about.php?unit=095-47-02.