Some grounds keeping

Sanford, FL. When Mike Combs, a member of the Central Florida Paralyzed Veterans of America and cousin of Flotilla 45 member John Bennett joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary in September 2005, he could see a match made in "public service heaven!"

Flotilla 45 of Sanford, Florida was looking for a reliable place to hold its meetings, conduct public education classes and member training. The Central Florida Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) had a 10,000 square foot building that needed regular maintenance its members could not provide. The Veterans Association chapter also needed able bodies to help at some of its events, such as their annual bass tournament that attracts paraplegic and quadriplegic fishermen from all over the country.

Keep 'em straight

Mike first went to the other PVA board members to see if there was interest in working with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and when he got an enthusiastic green light, he approached the flotilla. After Flotilla Commander Sue Smith, Vice-Commander Mike Berry and Comb's cousin, John Bennett saw the PVA building and met with PVA leadership, the flotilla was approached, approved, and the two organizations began working under one roof, with the first Flotilla 45 meeting being held there January 12, 2006.

Flotilla leadership soon met with PVA leadership and assessed building needs. An initial "Work Day" was set for Saturday, January 21, 2006.

PVA members

The "Work Day" arrived, and a dozen Auxiliarists descended on the PVA property in Sanford like a crew from "Extreme Makeover Home Edition," armed with everything from chain saws to pressure washers. While one Auxiliary crew pressure washed the PVA building's roof, other Auxiliarists trimmed trees and bushes, and cleaned the grounds of leaves and rubbish. Another crew replaced interior light bulbs and set up computer equipment. Exterior walls of the building were pressure washed, as was the facility's parking lot.

No work day is complete without a healthy helping of good chow and fellowship at the table, and Paralyzed Veterans members were quick to show the hungry Auxiliarists that Emeril Lagasse has some serious local competition, especially when it comes to barbecued chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs!

Line painting

A second “Work Day” on March 4, 2006 produced a similar number of Auxiliarists, this time focusing on painting lines and handicapped spaces in the PVA parking lot and doing electrical repair. Since then, "Work Days" at the PVA have been a regular part of the flotilla schedule, and the building is in top shape.

Recently the Auxiliarists assisted PVA members in hosting a bass tournament for handicapped fishermen. This took place on a 30 odd mile stretch of the St. Johns River near Sanford, with over 40 angler boats hitting the water. Hosting a fishing tournament for veterans was nothing new for Flotilla 45. The flotilla has for years worked with the District staff in conducting a military bass tournament, held in recent years on the Butler chain of lakes near Orlando.

Let's go fishing

Conducting a fishing tournament for paralyzed fishermen presented some different dynamics. Paralyzed fishermen were paired with non-impaired fishermen on boats owned by either of the pair. A number of local bass fishermen volunteered their boats and their time to be a part of the tourney.

Auxiliarists assisted in boat launching at the beginning of each day and checked the boat live wells for bait and fish (a standard part of fishing tournament procedure). During the three days of the tournament, two Auxiliary operational boats and four Auxiliary operational personal watercraft patrolled the thirty mile fishing area. They were always prepared to come to aid of the fishermen. On the second day of the tournament, a bass boat broke down and the Auxiliary team was there to tow it into port. At the end of each day, Auxiliarists helped trailer the tournament boats.

Needing a tow

Flotilla 45 in its collaboration with the PVA has found a new way to serve the boating public and America's veterans and in this case found a creative solution to its needs for a flotilla home. For other flotillas, similar opportunities may well exist. It just takes a heart for service and a little thinking outside the box.