The work needed doing, however, and Michaelian wanted to help. Recreational boating was quite popular and growing fast, and the community truly needed the services of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. As now, they taught boating safety classes and conducted free, no-jeopardy vessel safety checks, as well as serving as on-water guardians for the boating public. In those days before commercial towing services came into existence, the local Coast Guard Auxiliary also would routinely tow home significant numbers of stranded or disabled boaters every weekend.

One of Michaelian's most enduring contributions to the organization, however, is the building in which the Flotilla conducts most of its operations. Michaelian was a part of the committee in the early 1980's which went into the community to raise the necessary funds, guided the design and construction of the building, and in fact, Michaelian personally accomplished much of the interior work, such as railings and carpeting. A quarter-century later, Flotilla 59 continues to serve the Coast Guard and Martin County from that building, with 65 members involved in many more missions, that are, in the words of Admiral Thad Allen, "never more relevant."

A post-meeting coffee reception will provide an opportunity to talk with Mr. Michaelian and the other members.

Begun in 1939 as the US Coast Guard Reserve, the Auxiliary supports all missions of the Coast Guard except military and direct law enforcement actions. For more information visit http://wwww.cgaux.org, or call (772) 288-0509.

# # #