The Parade of Flags started off
the Board Meeting.

Our fearless leaders,
COMO Nick Kerigan, ARCO-A (E) elect.
CDR John Felker, DIRAUX 1SR and
COMO Charles Sferra, DCO 1SR elect.

David Elliot, DC-Od accepting the Best
Flotilla in VSC's for flotilla 10-13 which
is presented by the
Marine Retailers Association.

Len Pampaloni, FC 2-2 and Bill Anania,
VFC 2-2 receiving the Best Flotilla in the
Nation award from the
President of BOAT/US.

The newley elected National EXCOM.

The First Family - Susan, James,
Nick and Christine Kerigan.

Gail and Tom Venezio.

Charlie and Ann Sferra.

Val and Steve Krok.

Judy and Joe Romanowski.

Denise Castrogiovanni, DSO-MS and
Ken Sommers, VCP-13 receiving
ACLOC
from Rear Admiral D. Sirois.

Wayne Spivak, a member of the G-OCX
eTeam receiving a CHDIRAUX
Certificate of Appreciation on behalf
of the eTeam members.

The Auxiliary National Conference 2004 (NACON 2004) was held at the
Costa Mesa Hilton in sunny Costa Mesa California in the famous Orange
County (The OC). This Southern California county is home to many well-known
attractions of the area. Laguna Beach, Newport Beach and Balboa Island
were just a short 15-minute drive from the hotel. Of course we can’t forget
Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, and Universal Studios.
The Conference was kicked off by the popular Hospitality Night.
Normally it is held in several different rooms where each District
brings some type of cusine from their area. This year it was held in one
large area with a terrace which worked out better for building our ‘Fourth
Cornerstone’. First Southern provided the famous ‘Nathan’s’ hotdogs and
our station was the hot spot of the evening. Other areas provided shrimp,
Mexican food, Philadelphia pretzels, and the famous ‘moose milk’.
On Friday morning the National Board Meeting opened with a parade of flags.
The 16 District Commodores each entered carrying their own District flag.
Before the meeting started, a video was shown that was the creation of
Coast Guard Academy Cadet. It showed the Coast Guard in many activities
and was set to some very moving music.
Next, there was a video greeting from Dept. of Homeland Security Secretary,
Tom Ridge. He praised and thanked the Auxiliary for all that they do to assist the
Coast Guard. Vice Admiral Thad Allen, CG Chief of Staff, was the Keynote Speaker and
the one thing I remember is the story he told about the term “watching your six”.
He said that was what the crew in the rear of the bombers did by covering their back
This is what the Auxiliary does for Coast Guard.

Elections were held with the following results:
NACO: COMO Gene Seibert,
NAVCO: COMO Steve Budar,
ARCO-Atlantic(E): COMO Nicholas Kerigan,
ARCO-Atlantic(W):COMO Ken Koeppen,
and ARCO-Pacific: COMO Dan Neiderhiser.

Wait a minute! Do we see a familiar name in this list? That’s right, our own COMO
Nick Kerigan has been elected to the National EXCOM. Congratulations Nick!
Friday evening’s ‘Fun Night’ was held with a beach party theme. With everyone
dressed in beach attire, it was time for fun and time to reestablish the Fourth Cornerstone.
With great food, a terrific band and Conga lines weaving throughout the room, you
could see that everyone was having a fantastic time.
Saturday morning and afternoon was a time to get in on some well presented workshops.
In the evening it was time for the gala event of the Conference. The National Commodore’s
Banquet. I heard that there were over 600 in attendance. Also, in attendance, was
Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Thomas H. Collins who gave a speech and
assisted with the awards. After the awards, a frocking ceremony was held for the
new elected officers of the National Board. Nick Kerigan had his wife Susan and his 2
children, Christine and James do the honors of pinning on his new hardware.
The next day it was time to go home. We took with us some new information and a lot
of good memories shared with some new friends and especially our tried and true
friends in First Southern. I would highly recommend attending at least one National Conference.

Judith Romanowski D-AA 1SR
images, Ken Sommers VCP-13
Harry McBain BC-AHP

click on images to enlarge

David Elliot, DC-Od conductions
a seminar.

Alex Cascione, DSO-PV
conducting a VSC seminar.

The gang from 1SR stops long
enough for a photo shot.

Dante Laurino with friends Patrick
Naratil, John Fisher and Gail Fisher
at Hospitality Night.

Members of 1SR at the
Commodores Banquet.

Another group from 1SR at the
Commodores Banquet.

Nick Kerigan and daughter Christine
at Hospitality Night.

James is having a good time with
Mom& Dad (Susan & Nick Kerigan) .

John Ilberg and John Felker
enjoying 'Fun Night'.

A new (unwilling) Yankee fan.
OTO Mark Ferreira.