Auxiliarist of the Year honored at Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival

Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral Karl L. Schultz and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Jason M. Vanderhaden joined active duty, reserve and Auxiliary Coast Guard personnel to celebrate the service at the annual Grand Haven, Mich. Coast Guard Festival held from July 30 through August 8.

Heading the list of Auxiliary members participating in the nearly century old Coast Guard celebration was 2020 "Auxiliary of the Year" Michael A. Barth of New York City, who helped lead the Coast Guard Festival parade, participated in the dedication of the city's new Walk of Coast Guard History, took part in the memorial service honoring fallen members of the Coast Guard, and other civic and service-oriented events.

Since 1924, the city of Grand Haven has been the home of one of the nation's largest celebrations of the history, tradition and service of the United States Coast Guard. Officially designated as "Coast Guard City, USA" by President Bill Clinton in 1998, the Lake Michigan port joins forces each year with the neighboring communities of Spring Lake and Ferrysburg to welcome more than 350,000 people for a week-long celebration of all things Coast Guard.

Admiral Schultz and Auxiliarist Barth

Grand Haven, MI: Coast Guard Auxiliarist Michael Barth with Admiral Karl Schultz, Commandant of the United States Coast Guard. Barth was part of the Commandant's official party visiting the Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven.  U.S. Coast Guard Photo by LTJG Pamela Manns.

Auxiliarist Michael Barth carriage
Auxiliarist Michael Barth

Grand Haven, MI: Auxiliarist Michael Barth helped lead the Grand Parade at the Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven Michigan.  U.S. Coast Guard Photo.

USCG Aux Color Guard marching 2021

Grand Haven, MI: Coast Guard Auxiliary color guard marched in the Grand Parade at the 2021 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival.  U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Photo by Alexander Quicke.

USCGC Parade of Ships GH Festival 2021

Grand Haven, MI: Coast Guard cutters line up outside the Grand Haven south pier head to begin the Parade of Ships to start the 2021 Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival.  U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Photo by Matthew Thompson.

15 OCT 2021 - Article by Jeremy L. Davis Branch Assistant-Publication