Volume -- IV  Issue – 11                        District--8  Flotilla--39                 November/December 2000

 

 

Holiday Party

December 11 5:00PM to 9:00PM

The Annual Holiday Party will be on Monday December 11. Wharf House restaurant on the Bay beneath Dog River Bridge. Hours: 5PM to 9 PM with social hour from 5pm to 6pm. Cost: $20 per person which includes the gratuity.  Cash Bar will be open. The Wharf House is closed to the public on Mondays so we will have the restaurant, deck and wharf to ourselves. menu: choice of gumbo or salad , choice of Pecan fish, 10oz Ribeye or Stuffed Chicken breast (spinach, cheese, mushrooms) ,Choice of Baked Potato or French Fries and Dinner Rolls. Dessert:  choice of CheeseCake, Pecan Pie or KeyLime Pie. Coffee/ tea/ hot tea.  DIRTY SANTA will be played at the party. Each person should bring a wrapped gift costing around $5. Males bring male gift and females bring female gift.

 

 

 

Bob Parsons Honored

 

 

The picture is a group of Flotilla 39 members and past members presenting a Frank Kincaid designed tapestry throw to Bob and Sue Parsons on their retirement after Bob's 25 years of continuous service and Sue's 20 years.  Both of them held many staff offices over the years.  Sue had been our treasurer for many years and they both put many hours on patrol in their facility when they were able to do so.

 

We have been fortunate to have known and loved them both and were very lucky to be able to present this small recognition of their contribution to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary's many missions.  We were lucky because shortly after the presentation, Bob passed away and was buried in Mississippi near relatives.  Two of our Flotilla members were able to be there and serve as pallbearers.  We will miss such dedicated people.

 

Bob joined the USCGA jn 1975 and until his retirement in 1999 was always ready and willing to assist his fellow auxiliarists and Flotilla 3-9  in any way requested.  He was crew qualified and made innumerable safety patrols as well as 2&3 day standby patrols at Dauphin Island for the Dauphin Island Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo from 1974 to 1991. Bob was the first auxiliarist to assist the CG on the 41 footers in helicopter operations. On 13 April 1980, he was awarded a USCGA medal for outstanding Operational   Merit for locating and assisting the CG in securing a run-away 22 pontoon, 35 foot dredge pipe in Dog River during the flood of 1979.

Bob attended virtually every public education course given during his active years as an assistant to the instructors. Bob was also instrumental in constructing the first display board for the flotilla's booths. Bob will be remembered by all that knew him as an exemplary USCG Auxiliarist.

 

Bob Parsons Remembered

Mike Case

 

An event has occurred in our Flotilla recently that is the most important one for us this year.  One of our most beloved members has passed away.  Bob Parson left us this past October.  I am sure he has gone to a better place.  Those of you who knew him will miss him as much as I do.  The following few words are for those of you who didn’t have the pleasure of knowing him as we have.

 

Bob Parson was, to me, the essence of an Auxiliarist.  He was a civilian volunteer dedicated to helping everyone he could.  He was always ready and willing to help.  He served our Flotilla for over twenty-five years.

For many years he and his wife Sue patrolled in their boat, the Sweet Sue.  Years ago our Flotilla was much more active in the Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo and other marine events, and the Parsons spent many hours for many years participating and assisting as needed.  Bob received the Award of Operational Merit for a case that he assisted.

 

Bob passed the Seamanship, Operations, and Search and Rescue Specialty Courses, and was qualified Boat Crewman (one of the first to qualify in Helo Ops).  He also received a Letter and Certificate of Appreciation from the Group Mobile Commander.  He also received several GAP and AMOS awards for his assistance in Flotilla Operations.

Bob served in several Flotilla Staff Officer positions over the years and was elected as a Vice Flotilla Commander.  Although he was not an Instructor he attended and participated in many courses over the years helping to register students and lending moral support.  He also spent many hours over the years helping out with our booth displays, boat ramp CME stations and National Safe Boating Week events.

 

He didn’t leave a large mark because he was not an ambitious man.  What he left was a memory of a man who quietly helped in any way he was able.  He was always willing to assist and lend a hand.  What I will miss most is his sense of humor.  He always had a twinkle in his eye and a quiet humorous comment on the side.  Considering the overwhelming tragedies in his life this was quite remarkable, but attributable to the love he found and shared with his wife Sue.

 

I will always remember him and I will miss him and his sense of humor that always seemed to bring things back to an even keel.  He was a true example of “The man making the uniform.” 

 

Smooth sailing, following seas, and may you find the peace you truly deserve.  Thank you for blessing us with your presence.

 

 

11 December	Holiday Party, Wharf House, 1700
21 January	Flotilla meeting, Base Mobile, 1930

 

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