Meet Leonard (Lenny) C. Kappel -- a quiet man in Division 4, District 8 Coastal Region, who possesses a wealth of knowledge as an Auxiliarist and who is a person that can always be counted on to ‘be there’ when needed or when duty calls.

Lenny is a PhD and a retired Associate Professor of the Department of Veterinary Physiology, Pharmacology, and Toxicology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Soon to be ending his 2nd term as Division Captain for Division 4, Lenny is looking forward to resuming his first loves of aids to navigation (ATON) verification, vessel safety checks and on the water safety patrols.

Lenny joined the Auxiliary in June 1996 after being recruited by an Auxiliary member at a local boat show who told him about the courses the Auxiliary had to offer. Being a person whose life revolved around education, this was of great interest as it enabled him to become more knowledgeable in his boating interests.

Since joining the Auxiliary, Lenny has participated in hundreds of hours of Coast Guard Support Missions and has served as Division Captain, Division Vice Captain, Flotilla Commander, and many staff offices. Lenny is certified in the areas of Aids to Navigation Verifier, AUXOP, Boat Crew, Coxswain, Commercial Fishing Examiner, Good Mate Course Instructor, Recreational Boating Safety Program Visitor and Vessel Examiner.

Lenny’s love for the water has led him to hundred of hours in the area of ATON patrols, safety patrols, commercial vessel inspections, public education and numerous hours in the area of public affairs and safety booths.

Lt. Bill Gibbons, Commanding Officer, USCG Station Grand Isle, spoke highly of Lenny saying, “Lenny is the only active Auxiliary member in our area of responsibility (AOR) and has been a great help by providing dockside safety exams, patrols, and non-distress search and rescue (SAR) responses, particularly during the Tarpon Rodeo. Lenny also headed up this year’s Boating Safety Week on Grand Isle. Everyone enjoys being around and working with Lenny.”

Lenny’s Coast Guard and Auxiliary Awards include numerous Sustained Service Awards, Membership Service Awards, Annual Service Performance Award and Certificates of Appreciation. In December 2001, the Marine Safety Unit, Baton Rouge, cited Lenny, recognizing him for outstanding devotion to duty as a Coast Guard Auxiliarist during Operation Noble Eagle.

On September 18th and 19th, 2004 Lenny participated in the Hurricane Ivan flooding cleanup at Coast Guard Station Venice, following a request from Group New Orleans. Besides extensive flood damage from mud and an overflowing sewage treatment plant, the station roof suffered damage, which resulted in soggy ceiling tiles and damp carpeting on deck two.

When the Lenny arrived on the 18th, a Saturday, the station had a thick layer of mud throughout the area. Apparently, the water level surged about two feet over the ground level and deposited mud everywhere. In addition, water leakage destroyed part of the station roof.

Lenny and other Auxiliary personnel spent the day removing water-soaked ceiling tiles and all the carpeting from Deck 2, carrying it down to the dumpster. In addition, after they moved the furniture, they ripped the carpeting from the floors and hauled it away.

It was hot, humid, messy and hectic. Rubber boots were part of the "Uniform of The Day"!

As usual and expected, no complaining was heard from Lenny, even as he spent additional time on his cell phone with Phil Orton, DCP Division 3, answering an urgent call for assistance. CG Station Destin and Station Pensacola needed assistance to establish communications facilities to make the stations operational. Lenny coordinated this Division 4 effort while still helping at Station Venice.

In September 2004, Capt. Mark Blace, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Group New Orleans cited Lenny for his assistance in response to the damage sustained by Coast Guard Station Venice following Hurricane Ivan. Lenny received the damage and within 24 hours, he coordinated the assistance of members of Division 4. Lenny also provided Station Venice with a pressure washer and generators to assist with the cleanup and recovery efforts.

“Lenny Kappel is one of the unsung heroes of our organization. He is a qualified commercial fishing vessel inspector, coxswain, Division Captain and the go to guy in any crisis,” said LCDR Bob Perkins, Director of Auxiliary. “He is one of those guys that don’t have a lot to say but his actions speak volumes. He is a great shipmate,” he added.

Capt. Mark Blace, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Group New Orleans agreed saying, “Ditto - and a real gentleman to boot - ever humble and always delivers more than promised.”

We in the Auxiliary’s District 8-CR salute Lenny Kappel for his outstanding service as a member of Team Coast Guard.