U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Division Cmdr. Robert DiMarco (left to right); new auxiliary members David Williamson and Lenape High’s Max Frankunas; David King, Vice Division commander; and Marlton Flotilla 1808 Cmdr. Mike Slepian were on hand at Frankunas’ March 13 swearing-in.
A Lenape High School senior is one of the newest members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Marlton Flotilla 1808.
Max Frankunas has already begun training to become an auxiliary boat crew member. The Mount Laurel resident was sworn in on March 13 by leadership of the the flotilla, which meets at the Gibson House in Marlton.
“I’m so excited to become an auxiliarist,” he said.
The auxiliary – founded in 1939 – is the uniformed, volunteer arm of the Coast Guard. Its duties include promoting and improving recreational boating safety; providing trained crews and facilities to augment the Coast Guard and enhance the safety and security of ports, waterways and coastal regions; and supporting the guard’s operational, administrative and logistical requirements.
Three members of Marlton Flotilla 1808 received Meritorious Service Awards in 2016 for their support of activities at the guard’s Fifth Northern Region fall conference.
Frankunas is currently taking pilot lessons and plans to become a certified SCUBA (Self-contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) diver. He is also an artist who writes for Lenape High’s newspaper and is interested in contributing to environmental protection of shorelines through the Coast Guard’s marine safety program.
More than comfortable on the water, Frankunas has been sailing since he was 8. His dad Mike has also begun the auxiliary application process, and his son joked that he’s prepared to “show Dad the ropes.” As an auxiliary member, the younger Frankunas looks forward to choosing from a wide range of training, including search and rescue, radio communications, public affairs and vessel safety checks.
He will major in environmental studies at Juniata College in Pennsylvania.
“(More students should) consider joining the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary,” Frankunas suggested. “(They) will be challenged, but you stand to learn a lot and perform a public service, all while gaining great experience to add to your resume.”
For information on applying to the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, contact Mike Slepian at mrslep@comcast.net.
