Photo Release

HUDGINS, Va. - On Wednesday, three Coast Guard Auxiliarists assembled a chart table they built for Coast Guard Station Milford Haven in honor of the 70-year working relationship between the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

This American craftsman-style chart table took auxiliarists Robin Wells, John Mill, and Ron Simon approximately 800 man-hours to build.

"We had an old, steel chart table - not very nautical," said Chief Petty Officer Matthew Welsh, officer in charge of the station. "This new table will remain part of the station forever - it will be here long after we're all gone. It's something the station crew can be proud of and something the auxiliary can be proud of."

"This table commemorates the value of Team Coast Guard, the Auxiliary and Coast Guard working together," Welsh said. "We want the auxiliary to know they're appreciated."

The auxiliary plays a major role in operations at the station and within its area of responsibility, Welsh said. A group of auxiliarists work along with the station and provide assistance when necessary. They keep a boat and crew at the station on standby during busy weekends, and they provide chefs from the Auxchef program to help feed the station's crew.

Auxiliarists also stand regular watches at the station, allowing crewmembers time to keep up with training and operational requirements.

"We couldn't do our job without them," Welsh said.

Coast Guard Auxialiarist Robin Wells works to assemble a craftsman-style chart table dedicated to Coast Guard Station milford Haven in Hudgins, Va., for the Auxiliary's 70th anniversary at the station Wednesday, July 15, 2009. (U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Jones)

Coast Guard Auxiliarists Ron Simon, John Mill and Robin Wells work to assemble a chart table that the three built for Coast Guard Station Milford haven in Hudgins, Va., at the station Monday, July 15, 2009. (U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Jones)

Chief Petty Officer Matthew Welsh, officer in charge of Coast Guard Station Milford Haven in Hudgins, Va., auxiliarists Robin Wells, John Mill, Ron Simon, and Petty Officer 1st Class Richard Gonzalez are shown behind the station's new chart table at the station Monday, July 15, 2009. Wells, Mill and Simon built the chart table for dedication to the 70th anniversary of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. (U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 3rd Class Mark Jones)