Members of Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 64, Gloucester, held a brief ceremony Monday afternoon in front of the Gloucester Veterans Memorial wall to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the 224th birthday of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Established by Congress in 1939, the Coast Guard Auxiliary’s 30,000+ members provide vessel safety checks, harbor patrols, teach safe boating courses, and assist with search and rescue and many other duties.

Flotilla 64 member Tony Dziadul placed one of two wreaths in front of the USCG medallion on the wall. Also participating were Flotilla 64 Commander Rip Rowland, District 5 Hampton Roads Sector Capt. James Clark, Coast Guard BM1 Tyler Benson from Training Center Yorktown, and Flotilla 64 chaplain Ken Waclo, who organized the event.

A color guard from the Gloucester High School NJROTC program also took part in the ceremony. “Our flotilla is active and growing,” Rowland said. Flotilla 64 meets...