R 081559Z AUG 12

ALCOAST 362/12
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ: 2011 AUXILIARIST OF THE YEAR
1. I am pleased to announce the selection of Mr. Stephen A. Lee of
Flotilla 12-4 in the Eleventh District (Southern Auxiliary Region) as
the 2011 Auxiliarist of the Year.
2. A music video director by trade, Mr. Lee enrolled in the
Auxiliary in May 2009 and immediately became an active participant
demonstrating extraordinary enthusiasm and devotion to duty. In his
short Auxiliary tenure, he dedicated over 1,130 hours of service in
direct support of Coast Guard recreational boating safety outreach,
vessel safety checks, marine patrols, search and rescue missions, and
marine environmental protection activities. He vigorously pursued
and achieved qualification as Boat Crewman, Vessel Examiner,
Recreational Boating Safety Program Visitor, and became a well
established Public Affairs Specialist in Sector LA-LB. Mr. Lee
provided excellent photography, articles, and press releases covering
the operations and official ceremonies of AIRSTA Los Angeles, USCGC
HALIBUT (WPB-87340), USCGC BLACKFIN (WPB-87317), and USCGC NARWAL
(WPB-87335). He regularly contributed press releases promoting safe
boating to the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary websites as well
as to the Los Angeles Times. Mr. Lees photography was awarded
runner-up in the Coast Guards 2011 Photo of the Year contest.
3. Mr. Lees exceptional team spirit and goodwill are hallmarks of
his reputation among counterparts and community. He diligently
contributed to and coordinated the production of Coast Guard unit
newsletters, local boat shows, and recreational boating safety
seminars in southern California. Mr. Lee also volunteered as the
Public Information Officer for the Koru Care Program that sponsors
visits of terminally ill children from New Zealand to the United
States. He arranged for dozens of these children to spend day-long
visits aboard Coast Guard patrol boats and AIRSTA Los Angeles.
4. I applaud Mr. Lees exemplary performance and spirit of service.
He will be formally recognized as the 2011 Auxiliarist of the Year
during ceremonies at the Auxiliary National Conference in San
Antonio, TX on 25 Aug 12.
5. The following Auxiliarists were finalists for selection and are
congratulated for their outstanding performance and achievement:
a. Mr. James Gladstone, Flotilla 20-12, D9 (Central Auxiliary
Region).
b. Mr. William Nelson, Flotilla 13-06, D1 (Southern Auxiliary
Region).
6. RDML Joseph A. Servidio, Assistant Commandant for Prevention
Policy, sends.
7. Internet release authorized.