New Officers Inducted in Les Cheneaux Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla
By Amy Polk

Dewey Lopes (above) presents an appreciation gift to LaVonne Bauer for her service as a flotilla commander. The piece was lettered in nautical flags that were hand-stitched by Wendy Lopes.

Commander Dewey Lopes will lead the Les Cheneaux Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla for another year and was inducted with other new officers at the organization’s Change of Watch Thursday, December 14. The Les Cheneaux Flotilla’s 35 members come from Cedarville, DeTour, Hessel, and Pickford.

Bob Jones will serve as flotilla vice-commander and LaVonne Bauer is immediate past commander. Other officers include Chris Roney, aids to navigation chair; Bert Crockett, communications services, finance, and communications; Cindy Shutt, information systems and personnel services; Dave Crockett material (equipment and supplies) and operations; Dewey Lopes, member training; Sharon Quigley, public affairs; Sharon DenBoer, publications; LaVonne Bauer, public education; Sara Jones, partner visits; Mary Crockett, secretary, and John Quigley, vessel exams.

Bob and Sharon DenBoer were recognized for their many hours of volunteer service to the flotilla. Mr. DenBoer has contributed more than 20,000 hours and Mrs. DenBoer more than 19,000.

Coast Guard Auxiliary staff officers of the Les Cheneaux Flotilla (back row, from left) Dave Crockett, Dewey Lopes, Bert Crockett, Sharon DenBoer, Cindy Shutt, Sara Jones, Bob Jones; (in front) LaVonne Bauer, and Mary Crockett are sworn into another year of service by United States Coast Guard Captain Quain Kahler of Sector Sault Ste. Marie.

Cindy Shutt received a certificate of appreciation for her role as secretary for Division 16, which includes seven flotillas in Alpena, Cheboygan, Clark Township, Paradise, Roscommon, and Sault Ste. Marie.

Bert Crockett also received a certificate of appreciation for his work with the Les Cheneaux Flotilla.

LaVonne Bauer received a framed declaration composed of nautical letter flags, hand-stitched by Mr. Lopes’ wife, Wendy, for serving as flotilla commander until Mr. Lopes replaced her in 2005.

U.S. Coast Guard Captain Quain Kahler of Sector Sault Ste. Marie swore in the officers and commended the work of the auxiliary.

Sector Sault Ste. Marie patrols Lake Superior and the northern half of Lake Huron and responded two weeks ago to the tug Seneca, which broke loose from her tow in 14-foot waves and ran aground near Grand Marais.

When rough weather prevented the Coast Guard from reaching the stranded vessel, he said, the auxiliary in Paradise flashed headlights from land to guide the tug towing the Seneca into safe harbor near Grand Marais. Auxiliary members also helped relay communications to the vessel and alerted the Coast Guard to an oil leak from the vessel.

“The auxiliary is a great example of people who look for and see the opportunity” to help, Captain Kahler said. “The Coast Guard Auxiliary helped us out in three instances in this situation. We wouldn’t have known about the oil leak if it hadn’t been for them.”

The auxiliary is always looking for volunteers, and anyone who wants to join should call Dewey Lopes in Cedarville at (906) 484- 2097.