FAIRFIELD HARBOUR -- Edwin Jacunski, a resident of this community, has been elected Captain of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Sector North Carolina, District 5 of the Southern Region.
As District Captain, he is responsible for supervision of five divisions located from the Outer Banks to the mountains.
Jacunski and his wife Carol moved to the New Bern area in 2001 from Massena, New York, where he served as superintendent of schools. After retirement, he joined the USCG Auxiliary 20-05 -- the Flotilla responsible for the waterways between Oriental and New Bern.
An avid boater and Navy veteran, Jacunski worked his way up from crewman to coxswain. In 2005, he was elected Flotilla Commander and then Division 20 Commander before being elected to his present post.
“It’s been the greatest experience of my retired life working side-by-side with the Guardian of our waterways” said Jacunski. “This new position utilizes the skills acquired in my professional life.. My mission is to continue to promote safe boating practices and protect lives and property on our waterways.”
Officers and Staff for the 2010 leadership team of U.S. Coast Guard Flotilla 20-05 were sworn in at a “Change of Watch” held recently at the Chelsea Restaurant in New Bern.
David Fort, 2009 Vice Commander and William Neilson, 2009 Staff Officer-Operations, were given the oath of office as incoming Flotilla Commander and Flotilla Vice Commander, respectively.
The oath was administered by Senior Chief David Carrig, Officer in Charge, of U.S. Coast Guard Station Hobucken. Fourteen Staff Officers were also inducted by Senior Chief Carrig and will lead this volunteer organization to protect, teach and serve boaters on the waterways from New Bern through the Tri-Communities and south to Oriental.
Named “Auxiliarist of the Year” was Jack Betz, staff officer and publications editor, for his extensive volunteer hours to the Auxiliary. Fred Wagner, Past Flotilla Commander, received recognition for participating in over 100 hours of on-the-water safety patrols.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the
United States Coast Guard under the authority of The Department of Homeland
Security. Created by an Act of Congress in 1939, the Auxiliary directly supports
the Coast Guard in all missions, except military and law enforcement actions.
Its primary function is to protect the lives and property of those using our
navigable waterways through patrols, education and search and rescue.
For further information about the Coast Guard Auxiliary, go to www.uscgaux.org
or contact Flotilla 20-05 Public Affairs Officer Bob Manning at 252 638 5588 or manningbob@suddenlink.net
