Division 15

8th Western Rivers District

Serving southern Arkansas and western Tennessee

Upcoming Events:

April 26th -- Division 15 meeting, Russellville Chamber of Commerce .  Social time 0900.  Meeting Start 1000.

May 8th -- District Search and Rescue Competition, Kimberling City, MO

July 12th -- Division 15 meeting

October 11th -- Division 15 meeting

Debbie Spears Earns Lifetime Achievement Award

By

Blaine Selby

IPDCP, Division 15

In Recognition to Deborah A. (Debbie) Spears', of Flotilla 15-5, many achievements over the past years as a devoted member of the Auxiliary, an important part of our Team Coast Guard concept, we would be pleased to honor you with the “Lifetime Achievement Award” for your time, devotion and endless effort serving this organization.

In both Elected Offices as Division Fifteen Captain and as the District Rear Commodore for Eight Western Rivers, you have continued support of all our activities, including the Charters of several Flotillas, numerous OPEX’s and promoting various functions with strong leader skills and acting as a major mentor within this District and promoting strong core values at all times.

Not satisfied in your endeavors, you elected to serve the last three “Eight Western Rivers” Commodores as Administrative Staff, consisting of another six years with no end of contributions by yourself. You have taken on major projects with countless hours including the District’s “Standing Rules” and “Eight Western Rivers Directory”. Your past experience successfully assisting one Commodore has lead to a smoother transition for each successor to that very important office. Several trees and maybe one or two of our modern printers may have fallen due to her efforts to support the various Captains Board and EXCON meetings.

As leading senior authority in Courtesy and Protocol, neither the District Conference Banquet nor the Past Captain Luncheon, has anyone been introduced as the Bridge, guests or honorary member with out her personal sweet voice and generous smile, with a keen professional sense of detail. Debbie, you have always been considered a valuable team player supporting any requirement or task requested by your Commodore.

During the same time, you have continued to support Division activities including the SO-IS Officer, taking part in establishing Flotilla 15-6 in the Lake Dardanelle area of Arkansas, assisting in a smooth transition in AUXDATA in support of Sector Lowers boundary realignment for the Memphis flotilla transition to Eight Western Rivers District.

When both the Director and our Commodore requested an additional team be assembled for the 2004 DSAR event at Lake Ouachita, Arkansas, your thinking outside the box assisted and took part in forming an all women crew team. This lead to a first place with the Fire Pump and second place in the Marlin Splicing and the full respect by our Sector Lower judges in all other events.

As Commodore Diane Williams has said many times to you in the past, may we also add “Thank You Debbie” for all you do in support of this organization.

“Where have you been?“ “What have you been up to?”

FSO John Ruestow, Flotilla 15-5

How many times have we greeted people like that? It is more than being polite or starting a conversation. We are naturally curious and interested in the things that affect the lives of our friends and comrades.

In the military, people advertise what they have been doing and where they have been as a part of their uniform. Ribbons, badges and medals are a wearable curriculum vitae. They are not a fashion statement but a method of telling the world who the wearer is and what he or she has done.

As a part of the uniform, ribbons and badges reflect more than accomplishments. Their condition and the manner in which they are worn represent the wearer’s attitude. How many times have I seen an Auxiliarist in a neatly turned out uniform with ribbons that look as if they were dug out of the bottom of a World War II sea bag? How many times have I seen an Auxiliarist who is very careful to get credit for every hour of volunteer time wearing ribbons incorrectly ordered or even upside down?

The awarding of ribbons and badges is one of the few ways that the Coast Guard pays Auxiliarists. Auxiliarist should show pride in those things that they have accomplished. There is no excuse for dirty or sloppy ribbons. Mounting devices are available that allow us to display ribbons neatly on our uniforms. When our ribbons get dirty, they are inexpensive to replace. And for those of us who are really frugal, the uniform policy allows the wearing of the “top three”. That means that if a person is authorized to wear three or more ribbons, he/she may choose to wear only the three highest ranking ribbons. Who among us cannot afford to keep three ribbons in tip-top-shape?

The next time you get your uniform ready, take a good look at your ribbons and badges. Do they really look “spiffy”? If you wouldn’t be proud to wear them, take a little time at the next conference and buy replacement ribbons. Take time to look up the order of precedence and make sure that they are worn correctly. The manner in which they should be worn is plainly detailed in the Auxiliary Manual. When it comes to “order of precedence”, remember that some time ago, the Commandant changed the rules about Auxiliary ribbons and now, all of the ribbons should be worn in the correct order of precedence. Note that ribbons of equal precedence will have Coast Guard ribbons worn above equal ranking awards of another service.

If you wish to make a really good impression, you can buy pre-assembled sets of ribbons from a number of vendors. Ribbons can even be purchased with magnetic backs so you don’t have to fight with the sharp posts. I have been told that some people have a problem with magnetic-backed ribbons shifting on their shirts. I’ve not had that problem but there may be a difference in shirt materials that cause this. One major warning about pre-made sets: Check to see that all of your ribbons are on the order and check to see that the ribbons are in the correct order. The manufacturer will make the set just like you ask and if you tell them wrong, the error is yours. They are not cheap and each time you add a ribbon you may have to buy a complete set rather than just adding an individual ribbon. Adding stars and other devices can sometimes be done without the purchase of a complete set. Check out your options on the internet.

Having brought up this subject, let me assure you that I am not trying to give more ammunition to the “Uniform Police”. I only want you to be proud of what you have done and to wear your uniform correctly. Check out your own ribbons for neatness and proper order. Check out your friends’ ribbons to see where they have been and what they have been up to. If you have questions about the manner in which ribbons should be worn, check with someone who really knows.

Take a little time and spend a little money on your ribbons so that the next time someone looks at your chest to see “Where have you been? “ and “What have you been up to?” they will see a neatly displayed description of your Auxiliary accomplishments.

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