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Office of Public Affairs |
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| News Release |
Date: July 21, 2009 |
Sequim, Wash., resident selected as Coast Guard Auxiliarist of the Year |
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SEATTLE – Coast Guard Auxiliarist Marilynn R. Leonard, a resident of Sequim, Wash., has been selected by the Commandant of the Coast Guard as the Auxiliarist of the year for 2008. The Auxiliary is a component of the Coast Guard comprised of civilian volunteers who donate their time and expertise to further Coast Guard missions. Since joining the organization in June 2006, Leonard has dedicated over 5,400 hours of service across several auxiliary mission areas, most notably serving as manager of the Citizens Action Network for the Strait of Juan de Fuca, a unique organization that monitors local coasts and waterways to increase Coast Guard Maritime Domain Awareness. Leonard brought enthusiasm to all her work and achieved an impressive list of qualifications within the organization, including vessel examiner, small boat program visitor, instructor and public affairs officer. She has also worked with a wide variety of photo mapping projects used extensively by many federal and state agencies, established a new Auxiliary detachment in Forks, Wash., and been an instrumental force in recruiting over seven new members for the Auxiliary. Leonard will be recognized for her exemplary performance during ceremonies at the Coast Guard Auxiliary National Conference in Chicago on August 29th, 2009. She currently focuses much of her volunteer time as the assistant public affairs officer for Coast Guard Group Port Angeles, Wash., and is available for interviews. The Coast Guard Auxiliary was authorized by an act of Congress in 1939. Initially named the Coast Guard Reserve, it was tasked with using civilian volunteers to promote safety on and over the high seas and the nation’s navigable waters. Each year the 30,000 Auxiliarists nationwide volunteer more than two million hours benefiting boaters and their families. For questions concerning the event please contact Lt.j.g. Neil Penso at (360) 417-5842. |
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