In late October 2004, the Academy swim team was scheduled to compete at Union College in Schenectady, NY, which presented an opportunity for Ellen and Don Brown, who were looking to feed their son a wholesome family meal to figure out how to accomplish that feat. Ellen and Don Brown privately planned and pulled off a pasta dinner for 60 cadets and staff at the conclusion of the swim meet at a local firehouse. The positive response from the cadets and staff led to Flotilla 15-09 hearing of this dinner, and offering to undertake assist in the future hosting of it whenever the swim team again returned to town. This singular event led to Ellen Brown joining the ranks of the Auxiliary and Flotilla 15-09, where she has been a valued member. All these years later and still Ellen Brown leads the way with 15-09 in hosting the cadet swim teams for dinner whenever they are in town.