[1SR-L] Memorial Day Message and Op Paddlesmart Update -003/08

[Announcement List for First Southern District]

TO:     ALAUXDIST1SR
FM:     CDR E.D. Young
SUBJ:   Memorial Day Message and Op Paddlesmart Update -003/08

1.  Memorial Day Message and Op Paddlesmart Update

A.  As you celebrate Memorial Day, please take time to remember those that
have gone before you, those that made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our
freedom and what this nation stands for. Over a million American's have
sacrificed their lives to ensure the freedom and liberties we have today.
Millions of others have served beside them and were lucky enough to return
home, although many with permanent mental and physical scars.  I ask that
you remember them all.

B.  To those of you who currently serve, I thank you.  I am proud to work
beside you in service to our country.  Each of you has volunteered your time
and effort to make a positive impact and protect the citizens of this great
nation.  Stand tall and wear your uniform with pride this Memorial Day and
every day you have the privilege of wearing it.


2. Operation Paddlesmart

A.  Efforts are well underway in this campaign to reduce the loss of life of
our recreational paddlers.  Supplies were mailed out this week to all
Flotilla Commanders.  Each Flotilla should have received a sample packet and
supplies to build 50 packets to be distributed to paddlers and potential
paddlers.  Additional supplies are available through the Cape Cod Auxiliary
Office.  

B.  I have been hearing great reports of outreach events.  I have heard of
numerous town proclamations, Safe Boating Week events, VE events, and media
events, this is great news, keep it coming!!!  But remember if the event is
not captured on the OP Paddlesmart Reporting Form, we are not going to get
credit for the great work you are doing.  Be sure to report via the Op
Paddlesmart report form and submit info to your IS officers to be captured
by Auxdata.  Anyone can complete this form, you can send it in as an
individual, or collect info as a flotilla or division, JUST DO IT! If you
have an interesting event be sure to send information up the chain of
leadership and communication as well, your event may just get briefed to the
Commandant!  The point to remember is that if we don't see it on paper, it
didn't happen, so be sure to take the final step and finish the paper work.
A limited amount of reports have been submitted, but I know we have already
done much more than we've reported so don't forget the paperwork.

C.  Some people have asked about minimum required equipment for paddle craft
and stated there has been confusion on this when conducting outreach.  A
Federal Minimum Requirements list has been forwarded down the VE chain and
will be posted on the Op Paddlesmart Section of our website under What's
New.  Remember we have a great VE incentive program running this year, your
paddle craft VSCs will count towards the incentive program.  See our website
for more details on the VSC incentive program.

D.  Remember that we are targeting people that are relatively new to the
sport of paddling and that we are not considered paddling experts as a
general population (I know we have a few paddling experts in our ranks).
Keep this in mind when dealing with clubs and groups that may have
experienced paddlers; make sure we deliver the right message which is wear a
life jacket, don't go out alone, take a boating safety class...  We are
aiming at the life safety aspect of paddling and should not claim to be
experts in the field of paddling.

E.  We have permission from USPS to teach the new USPS Paddle Smart course,
order information is posted on our website.  This is a 2 hour seminar.  The
ACA has offered to allow us to purchase the ACA Smart Start for Paddlers at
the ACA member price.  Additional info on ordering this as well as Safety
Sidekicks Let's Go Paddling targeted to children is on our website.

F.	Keep up the great effort; we are saving lives, 1 kayak at a time!



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Southern abreast of current developments, policies, manuals, etc.

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