USCG Auxiliary, Flotilla 11-1, Clearwater, FL

09/15/2026

⚓🇺🇸 Join Us September 16!

Curious about the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary? Come meet the members of Flotilla 11-1 at our September meeting and learn more about the many ways you can get involved.

Guests and prospective members are always welcome—bring your questions and come see what we’re all about!

Already a member? Bring a friend! ⚓

09/13/2026

🇺🇸 September 15 – Welcome Home Honor Flight Mission 58!

We are excited to join supporters in welcoming home our Honor Flight Mission 58 veterans on September 15!

We encourage you to join the celebration and show your appreciation for these heroes who served our country and helped protect the freedoms we enjoy today.

Come out and give them the welcome home they deserve! 🇺🇸❤️🤍💙

Come out and help us give our Veterans the Welcome Home they truly deserve! Bring your family, friends, flags, and American pride as we celebrate their service and sacrifice. ❤️🤍💙

09/04/2026

⚓📺 Flotilla 11-1 Helps Promote Labor Day Weekend Boating Safety on 10 Tampa Bay

A big shout-out to Karen Miller for spreading the safe boating message ahead of the busy Labor Day weekend!

Karen represented Flotilla 11-1 and the Coast Guard Auxiliary and was featured in 10 Tampa Bay’s (WTSP) Labor Day weekend boating safety coverage, sharing key safety reminders for recreational boaters heading out on the water.

We’re proud to see one of our members helping bring the safe boating message to the Tampa Bay community! 👏⚓

📰📺 Check out the 10 Tampa Bay story and video:
https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/local/labor-day-weekend-boating-safety-tampa-bay/67-d8f2c89a-808a-4180-bd64-f3ee1b0d7a91

Heading out on the water this Labor Day weekend? Remember to wear your life jacket, be sober on the boat, be prepared, and make safety part of your plans.

BRAVO ZULU, Karen! ⚓🇺🇸

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. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - Recreational Boating Safety Directorates

As Labor Day approaches, experts stress that a boating license alone isn't enough for safe operation.

08/30/2026

🎉⚓ August 29 – Discovery Academy of Science STEM Extravaganza | Clearwater

Flotilla 11-1 members had a great time at the 1st Annual Discovery Academy of Science (DAS) STEM Extravaganza in Clearwater! With more than 400 families in attendance, the event offered an excellent opportunity to share public outreach and boating safety information while introducing families to the Coast Guard Auxiliary and what we do.

Members staffed a public outreach table, spoke with students and parents about boating safety, and handed out coloring books and fun freebies to children! 🐥⚓

🦺 The Life Vest Challenge was a big hit with the kids! Participants pretended they were aboard a sinking boat and had to quickly find a properly fitting life jacket, put it on, and fasten it correctly. Those who completed the challenge were rewarded with Life Savers gummies—a fitting prize for learning an important boating safety lesson! 😄

Many families stopped by to ask questions about the Coast Guard Auxiliary, our missions, boating safety classes, and ways to get involved.

👏 Thank you to Steve Bushnell-Fowler, Nicole Hall, Deb Mallory, Karen Miller, Jeff Otto, and Lisa Repetto for representing our flotilla and making boating safety education fun for children and their families.

As an inaugural event, the STEM Extravaganza also provided an opportunity to begin building a long-term partnership with Discovery Academy of Science for future STEM programs that benefit our community and support our recreational boating safety mission.

Another great day of public outreach!

🌊⚓BRAVO ZULU! 🇺🇸

. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - Recreational Boating Safety Directorates

08/26/2026

National Training Event - 2026!
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

What a weekend! 🌟 When the scheduled photographer fell ill, our very own Flotilla Staff Officer-Publications (FSO-PB) and page publisher, Lisa Repetto, stepped up to serve as the acting Official Photographer for this year's National Training Event (NTE), held in Orlando, Fla. 📸 We are happy to report that the original photographer is now feeling much better!

Lisa did an amazing job capturing the event on short notice—here is a sample of her work behind the lens! A huge shoutout to Lisa Repetto for representing us so well on the national stage!

NTE is a weeklong event featuring training sessions, presentations, business meetings, and staff recognition events. National leadership elections also took place. 🗳️ The highlight of the elections was the selection of CG Auxiliary top leadership. A huge congratulations to Patrick Feighery, Vice National Commodore, on being elected our new National Commodore! 🇺🇸 His term of office will officially begin on November 1, 2026.

Thank you to outgoing Commodore Mary Kirkwood for her outstanding, dedicated leadership and excellent service to the Auxiliary! 🤝

Semper Paratus!

. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - Recreational Boating Safety Directorates

08/22/2026

⚓🇺🇸 A Look Back at Our August Flotilla Meeting

Our August 19 meeting gathered 23 members and guests for an evening of updates, recognition, and fellowship.

Betsy Scott, Flotilla Commander, and Michelle Evans, Flotilla Vice Commander, led the meeting, with discussions covering recent and upcoming public outreach events and opportunities for greater member participation. Betsy, who is also an RN, presented the evening’s “Medical Minute,” focusing on hurricane preparedness.

🏅 Recognition was also part of the evening! Several members received Meritorious Team Commendation awards for their participation in 2025 National Safe Boating Week. Steve Bushnell-Fowler and Betsy Scott were also recognized with the Auxiliary Operations Program ribbon for completing the Telecommunications Operator course.

🎂 And we couldn’t let the evening pass without celebrating Anita Freudenthal and 95½ years of life! Members marked the occasion with cupcakes and ice cream. Happy Birthday, Anita!

Thank you to everyone who joined us and continues to participate in our flotilla's many activities and missions.

BRAVO ZULU and Semper Paratus! ⚓🇺🇸

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. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - Recreational Boating Safety Directorates

08/18/2026

⚓ August 15 – Division 11 Meeting at Flotilla 11-1 Headquarters

Flotilla 11-1 hosted Division 11's bimonthly meeting on August 15, with 19 Auxiliarists from across Division 11 in attendance. Matthew Copeland, Division Commander, and Thomas Maloof, Division Vice Commander, led the meeting, which featured updates from Flotilla Commanders and Division Staff Officers.

Karen Miller, DCAPT-West, provided important updates on Auxiliary policies, resources, and other matters affecting and benefiting flotillas and members, as well as Coast Guard missions that need Auxiliary assistance. She also encouraged members to attend the upcoming Southeast District Training Event (D-TRAIN) and to take advantage of the many available training opportunities and courses.

Eight members of Flotilla 11-1 attended:

⚓ Steve Bushnell-Fowler
⚓ Michelle Evans
⚓ Karen Miller
⚓ Jeff Otto
⚓ Peter Palmieri
⚓ Lisa Repetto
⚓ Betsy Scott
⚓ Frank Toal

Thank you to everyone who attended and continues to support Division 11's work and the Coast Guard Auxiliary mission!

BRAVO ZULU! ⚓🇺🇸

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. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - Recreational Boating Safety Directorates

08/17/2026

⚓🇺🇸 Curious About the Coast Guard Auxiliary? Come Meet Us!

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to serve your community as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary? Our August 19 flotilla meeting is a great opportunity to find out!

Come meet our members, learn about the many ways you can get involved—from boating safety and public education to vessel examinations, operations, communications, and more—and see firsthand what our flotilla is all about.

There’s no obligation—just bring your questions and join us for the evening. Guests and prospective members are always welcome!

📅 Wednesday, August 19 at 7:00 PM
📍 Flotilla 11-1 Headquarters
510 N. Fort Harrison Ave., Clearwater

Already a member? Bring a friend who might be interested in joining!

Come see how you can make a difference in your community while supporting the missions of the U.S. Coast Guard. ⚓🇺🇸

We’d love to meet you!


.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - Recreational Boating Safety Directorates

08/16/2026

⚓🇺🇸 August 14 – Celebrating 20 Years of Coast Guard Service

On August 14, we had the honor of attending the retirement ceremony for Chief Petty Officer Jesse Gutierrez, marking the completion of 20 years of dedicated service to our country in the United States Coast Guard.

Originally from Miami, Jesse began his Coast Guard career at Sector Miami, completing four tours before transferring to Coast Guard Station Sand Key in Clearwater, where he served for the past four years. As the station’s Coast Guard Auxiliary Liaison, he worked closely with our flotilla and flotillas throughout Division 11, serving as our primary point of contact at the station. He was always a pleasure to work with and will certainly be missed.

Division 11 was well represented at the ceremony:

Flotilla 11-1, Clearwater: Scott Kostreba, Dan Lipman, Karen Miller, Debra O’Regan, and Lisa Repetto

Flotilla 11-6, New Port Richey: Raymond Cantwell

Flotilla 11-9, Tarpon Springs: Thomas Maloof

Flotilla 11-10, Dunedin: David McGee and Harvey Prior

Congratulations, Chief Gutierrez, on an outstanding Coast Guard career. Thank you for your service, your support of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the many years you dedicated to safeguarding our waters and serving our nation.

Fair winds and following seas as you begin your next chapter! ⚓🇺🇸

Photos: USCG Auxiliary


. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - Recreational Boating Safety Directorates

08/13/2026

⚾🇺🇸 August 8 – Flotilla 11-1 Members Participate in Clearwater Threshers Veterans & Military Appreciation Night

It was a memorable evening at BayCare Ballpark as baseball and patriotism came together to honor veterans and active-duty service members. U.S. Air Force recruits took their oath on the field, while veterans from all branches of the military were recognized as the American Legion Color Guard presented the colors during the National Anthem. Our own Michael Howard participated as a member of the American Legion Color Guard.

Flotilla members were also on deck with a safe boating information booth, engaging with fans throughout the evening. Several attendees signed up for boating safety classes and Vessel Safety Checks, while others expressed interest in joining the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

A big thank you to Nicole Hall, Deb Mallory, Karen Miller, Peter Palmieri, and Lisa Repetto for serving as safe boating ambassadors and helping us share our mission with the community, and to Michael Howard for representing our flotilla as part of the Color Guard.

A great night of baseball, service, and patriotism! ⚾⚓🇺🇸

BRAVO ZULU!!

Photos: Lisa Repetto

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. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - Recreational Boating Safety Directorates