Coast Guard Auxiliary Has Role for Most Any Interest

Sara Barden

The leaders of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Sylvan Beach Flotilla 26 are looking for a few good people to join the mission to promote boating safety and support Coast Guard search-and-rescue.

There are roles in the Coast Guard Auxiliary for almost anyone’s interests, according to Flotilla Commander Sara Barden and Flotilla Vice Commander Michelle Stoddard. 

“They range from safety patrols and search-and-rescue missions to boating safety classes, public affairs, food service and administrative duties,” Barden said.

2025 Leaders at the Helm

Sara Barden of Durhamville has been re-elected commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Sylvan Beach Flotilla 26, and Michelle Stoddard of East Syracuse has been elected vice flotilla commander. Their one-year terms run until December 31, 2025.
 

Flotilla Supports Canal Fest 2024

Flotilla members on the canal with Sheriff's marine patrol.

On Sunday Aug. 11, once again Flotilla 26 was requested to provide on-the-water support for the Sylvan Beach Canal Fest Water Ski Show. The event takes place in the navigation portion of the canal. The Coast Guard Auxiliary was tasked with looking out for traffic that may need to move through the area. 

Flotilla Hosts Paddlecraft Academy

Flotilla 26 hosted an Auxiliary Paddlecraft Academy July 19-21, led by flotilla members Michelle Stoddard and Holly Dillard, both certified paddlecraft instructors. The academy included classroom and on-the-water sessions, and featured, among other skills, how to self-rescue and re-enter a kayak while in the water as well as how to rescue a kayaker in distress. 

Flotilla Has New Commander

Sara Barden of Durhamville is the new commander of the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Sylvan Beach Flotilla 26. Elected to a one-year term, Barden was previously vice flotilla commander. She also has served a recreational boating safety program visitor as well as a diversity officer for the flotilla and Central New York Division 2.

Raised in the St. Lawrence River area in Jefferson County, Barden said she has “always spent time on the water since I can remember,” helping her father work on his boat and becoming adept at sailing. “I relish my time on the water,” especially sailing “my 18-foot Oday”

Conroy, Barden Lead Flotilla in 2023

John Conroy

John Conroy of Cazenovia has been elected commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Sylvan Beach Flotilla 26, and Sara Barden of Durhamville has been elected vice flotilla commander. Their one-year terms run until December 31, 2023.

Conroy Is Interim Commander

John Conroy

Vice Commander John Conroy has taken over as interim flotilla commander since the passing of Flotilla Commander Mark Kimber on May 31. “We are all heartbroken from this loss,” Conroy said. “He fought a courageous fight and was optimistic throughout his ordeal.”

Kimber, of Williamstown, had been an Auxiliarist since 2011. He has served as a boat crewmember as well as in several staff positions, including vice commander and operations officer. Prior to transferring to Sylvan Beach Flotilla, Kimber served as a staff officer with Brewerton Flotilla 2-14.

 

'Semper Paratus' is commander's guiding motto

Mark Kimber, the new Sylvan Beach Flotilla 2-6 commander, looks to live up to the Coast Guard motto, Semper Paratus (Always Ready), by encouraging training and member mentoring. The aim is to be mission-ready, he notes, whether it involves teaching boating safety, conducting safety patrols, or participating in search and rescue.
 
Joining him at the helm is John Conroy, the new vice flotilla commander.
 

Flotilla Installs 2021 Leaders

Austen Givens

John Ressue

Austen D. Givens is the new commander of Sylvan Beach Flotilla, and John D. Ressue is the vice flotilla commander. Assuming the helm Jan. 1, both serve one-year terms. 


A member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary since 2017, Austen has served as public affairs officer for the flotilla as well as for Division 2, which encompasses five flotillas throughout Central New York. 

New Leaders at Helm

Karen Beehm

John Ressue

Karen Beehm of Hubbardsville is the new commander of Sylvan Beach Flotilla, and John D. Ressue of Little Falls is the new vice flotilla commander. Assuming the helm Jan. 1, both serve one-year terms.

Karen and John are certified boat crew members for Coast Guard-approved patrols and search-and-rescue missions.

Base Opening Signals Arrival of Boating Season

David Troutman

By Austen Givens, Flotilla 26 public affairs officer

With the smell of grilling hamburgers drifting through the open door while rows of American flags fluttered in the breeze outside, David Troutman, a 38-year member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, eased back in his chair, marine radio to one side, and contemplated the meaning of Flotilla 26’s annual Base Commissioning on June 3.

Paddlecraft Safety Training

With injuries and deaths occurring among the rapidly growing number of paddlesports enthusiasts, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 26 sponsored kayak safety training for members May 9 during its monthly meeting at its Sylvan Beach base.

A New Member Comes Aboard

Area Professor, Cybersecurity Expert Joins Flotilla 26

Andrew Carr joined Flotilla 26 in early 2018. We recently sat down with Andrew to learn about what prompted him to join and what he would like to do in the Auxiliary.

D-Train 2018 is coming!

District 9ER's 2018 D-Train is coming!

Click here to view a promotional brochure with all of the relevant details.

The 'Commander-in-Chefs'

Couple Tackles Food Service with Gusto

Bill Cummings and Helen “Lou” Held-Cummings of Utica have been Coast Guard Auxiliarists for more than 15 years. Each has distinguished records of service and leadership in the Auxiliary.

Conroy, Kimber to lead Flotilla 2-6

On November 8th Flotilla 2-6 members voted to elect John Conroy and Mark Kimber as the new Flotilla Commander and Flotilla Vice Commander, respectively.

Conroy and Kimber replace outgoing Commander Bill Cummings and Vice Commander Karen Beehm, whose terms of office end this year.

Flotilla 2-6 cleans up for fall

On Saturday, October 21st, Flotilla 2-6 members gathered for the annual base cleanup and shutdown.

Kennedy Elected Division Commander

Michael Kennedy of Fayettville has been elected commander of Central New York Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 2. He takes office Jan. 1 and is a member of Sylvan Beach Flotilla 26.

Elected Vice Division Commander was Robert F. Shanahan Sr. of East Syracuse, who is also commander of Brewerton Flotilla 2-14.

East Syracuse Man Heads Central NY Auxiliary

Rick Kunz

Rick Kunz of East Syracuse is the new Coast Guard Auxiliary commander of Central New York’s Division 2, which oversees flotillas in Oswego, Brewerton, Syracuse, Ithaca and Sylvan Beach.

He and Vice Division Commander Paul Phelps of Ithaca were sworn in at a recent Change of Watch Banquet by Coast Guard Commander Nathan Podoll from the Coast Guard’s Great Lakes headquarters in Cleveland.

Conroy Re-Elected Division Commander

John Conroy

John Conroy has been re-elected commander of Division 2 for 2014, and Rick Kunz has been re-elected vice division commander. The elctions took place earlier this month. Division 2 encompasses the Coat Guard Auxiliary's Central New York area and includes flotillas in Oswego, Brewerton, Syracuse, Ithaca and Sylvan Beach.