SIXTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC | ADM T.H. COLLINS, COMMANDANT

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

R 231450Z JUN 04 ZUI ASN-A00175000398 ZYB
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SUBJ: SIXTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

1. JUNE 23, 2004 MARKS THE SIXTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE COAST GUARD AUXILIARY.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK AND CONGRATULATE AMERICAS PREMIER VOLUNTEER LIFESAVERS
FOR THEIR UNWAVERING AROUND-THE-CLOCK SUPPORT OF COAST GUARD MISSIONS. 2. DURING THE PAST FEW YEARS, OUR COAST GUARD AUXILIARY HAS CONSISTENTLY AND SIGNIFICANTLY GROWN IN SIZE AND RESPONSIBILITY.
COAST GUARD AUXILIARY FORCES NOW INCLUDE
NEARLY 36,000 MEMBERS, MORE THAN 5,000 SURFACE VESSELS,
AND NEARLY 300 AIRCRAFT.
THIS IMPRESSIVE ARRAY SUPPORTS COAST GUARD RESOURCES ACROSS THE BOARD -
ON THE WATER, IN THE AIR AND IN EVER-EXPANDING BACK-FILL CAPACITIES AT SHORE UNITS. THEY ARE OUR RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY EXPERTS. THROUGH STEADFAST COMMITMENT TO THE PRINCIPLES OF OPERATION BOAT SMART AND BY PARTNERING WITH STATES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, AUXILIARISTS HAVE MADE THE MARITIME ENVIRONMENT SAFER FOR OUR NATIONS 75 MILLION RECREATIONAL BOATERS. WE OWE A TREMENDOUS DEBT OF GRATITUDE FOR THE DEDICATION AND DEVOTION TO DUTY DISPLAYED BY OUR AUXILIARISTS EVERY DAY, YEAR AFTER YEAR.
3. THROUGH "OPERATION PATRIOT READINESS", OUR AUXILIARY IS SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASING ITS CAPACITY TO SUPPORT COAST GUARD UNITS AND SEVERAL NEW MARITIME DOMAIN AWARENESS INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THE AMERICAS WATERWAY WATCH PROGRAM. AUXILIARISTS ARE TEACHING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICAS RECREATIONAL BOATERS HOW TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY AND REPORT SUSPICIOUS MARITIME ACTIVITY FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR NATIONS SAFETY AND SECURITY. THEY ARE AN EFFECTIVE VOLUNTEER FORCE MULTIPLIER THAT IS BEING INCORPORATED INTO THE COAST GUARD'S PORTS, WATERWAYS AND COASTAL SECURITY MISSION. AUXILIARISTS ARE ALSO ANSWERING OUR CALLS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT BY HELPING IN ALL COAST GUARD VENUES RANGING FROM MEDICAL CLINICS TO COAST GUARD TRAINING CENTER CLASSROOMS TO FOREIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETER SERVICES ABOARD DEPLOYED CUTTERS.
4. THEIR SELFLESSNESS AND CONCERN FOR OUR COLLECTIVE WELFARE EXTEND WELL BEYOND MEASURES OF TIME AND EFFORT. THEY ARE CARING AND SUPPORTIVE COAST GUARD FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAVE ANNUALLY INCREASED THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO COAST GUARD MUTUAL ASSISTANCE, OPENED THEIR HOMES TO US ON COUNTLESS OCCASIONS, AND INSTILLED US WITH AN UNSHAKABLE SPIRIT OF SERVICE.
5. OUR AUXILIARISTS HAVE AGAIN PROVEN TO BE MOST TRUSTED, VALUABLE AND RESPECTED SHIPMATES. PLEASE JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING THEM FOR THEIR EXCEPTIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS THIS PAST YEAR AND FOR THEIR MANY YEARS OF PROUD SERVICE.
I ENCOURAGE ALL COAST GUARD UNITS TO CELEBRATE WITH THEIR LOCAL FLOTILLAS AND RECOGNIZE OUR VOLUNTEERS FOR ALL THEY DO TO SUPPORT THE NATION.
6. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.

7. ADM T.H. COLLINS, COMMANDANT, SENDS. BT
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[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[Spotsy]

COAST GUARD AUXILIARY FORCES NOW INCLUDE
NEARLY 36,000 MEMBERS,
MORE THAN 5,000 SURFACE VESSELS,
NEARLY 300 AIRCRAFT,
and one Mr. Tonkin.

Thank you for your service Tonk!