Hubbard couple remembers decades with U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

HUBBARD — One stormy night years ago, Bert and Judy Paulk pulled about half a dozen stranded boaters from the waters of Lake Erie.

It was Fourth of July weekend and the group had been marooned for almost five hours, the Paulks recalled. Several of the boaters were floating in the cold water, moored to the overturned boat with a rope fashioned from their tied-together socks, Bert and Judy said.

Though they were off duty when they performed that rescue, the Paulks had been trained with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

The married couple from Hubbard retired this year after working part time for the auxiliary for 44 and 37 years, respectively.

They’ve executed many search-and-rescue operations throughout their careers, but the pair said that July 4 weekend ranks among their most-memorable stories.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com