Shipmate of the Week – AUX Betty Riddle

Friday, February 25, 2011

Posted by: LT Connie Braesch

betty on watch

Fort Myers Beach, Fla. – Auxiliarist Betty Riddle mans the communication watch at the Coast Guard Station. For 30 years, Riddle has volunteered 30 hours a week standing the watch. U.S. Coast Guard photo.

30 hours a week x 30 years = 46,800 hours.

That is how many hours Betty Riddle donated as a Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteer at Station Fort Myers Beach over the course of her 30-year career.

“I’m figuring it’s somewhere around $1.2 to $1.4 million in manpower alone,” Chief Warrant Officer Jeff Kerner, Station Fort Myers Beach commanding officer, said in an interview with NBC in Fort Myers. “She has been a trainer and mentor to literally two generations of Coast Guard men and women.”

As a qualified communications watchstander, Riddle stood the watch answering phone calls, broadcasting radio calls and listening for maydays every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from about 6 a.m. until 4 p.m.

honorary chief

Fort Myers Beach, Fla. – At her retirement ceremony February 18, Auxiliarist Betty Riddle is made an Honorary Chief for her dedication to enlisted members throughout her 30 years of service. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Coast Guard Aux Flotilla 96.

“Ms. Betty’s contributions to our service have directly impacted enlisted members at every level,” said Chief Petty Officer Rodolfo Moreira. “In 30 plus years of service she has stood untold hours of watch and helped certify likely hundreds of communication withstanders.”

In 1980, she was sent to Station Marathon to help with the Cuban refugee exodus called the Mariel Boatlift.

“I was put in the communications room and, from then on, I loved the radio and stayed with it,” said Riddle.

She only served a short time at Station Marathon before she continued her communications service at Station Fort Myers Beach. Her enduring presence in the watchroom became something station crews grew to adore. In fact, as she prepared for her retirement from service, the station placed a large, bronze plaque above the watchroom door naming it “The Betty Riddle Communications Center.”

Betty Riddle hugs station crewmembers

Fort Myers Beach, Fla. – Auxiliarist Betty Riddle hugs station crewmembers at her retirement ceremony February 18. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Coast Guard Aux Flotilla 96.

“There were never two days the same; you had to stay on your toes,” said Riddle. “I would spend sometimes 10 hours a day in the radio room. The crew always recognized I was there and showed their appreciation by stopping in and saying, ‘Hi, Ms. Betty, so glad you are here today.’”

While she retired from the Coast Guard Auxiliary on February 18, Riddle will continue her community service through her church group at Community Congressional Church in Naples, Fla.

Do you know a Shipmate that has done something great for the service, the missions or the public? Please submit your nominations using the “Submit Ideas” link on the right.

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  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_7MWKPLBWZLYCV4RWLMJSOYXORA Bachster

    How awesome is the Auxiliary? They truly are the hero volunteer service! We will miss you Betty!!

  • Don Boyd

    Great story about a great person! Thanks for sharing this story on the net.

  • Carl Hohenstein

    Congratulations to a wonderful person, a great volunteer and a super mentor to Coast Guard as well as Auxiliarists. Job well done Betty and thank you. May your future be bright and happy for you.
    Carl Hohenstein, ” The Old Man of the Sea”

  • Robert Hardgrove

    Thank you for your service Betty.

  • Goldie1ff

    Betty loved working with you and thanks for all the hours you put in at the station. Taking care of everyone from me to Sandy. Wish I would have know the event was coming I would have been there. All my best Senior Chief Goldie

  • Faulk4

    Hey Aunt Betty….
    What a great writeup on you-Thanks so much for sharing it ! !
    I can tell you will truly be missed by a lot of people.
    Much Love, Cyn

  • L Fierro

    People like her is what makes us a great nation. I”m very proud of her.
    To me is an honor write down these few lines about her.

  • Beverly Copeland

    Betty, Thanks for sharing. You are an inspiration. It has been an honor to have known you.
    Beverly Copeland

  • alexandria davis

    Ma’am, thank you so much for your outstanding service. As an auxiliarist, I look up to you and your story of service so much. I am totally visually impaired, but I am now training to stand the watch just as you did. Thank you for your inspiration.