Posted on 06/22/2006 5:14:54 PM PDT by 68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub
To: ALAUX
Frm: CHDIRAUX
Subj: SIXTY-SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
-022/06
1. FYI:
R 221533Z JUN 06
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//G-C//
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS //N16790//
ALCOAST 347/06
COMDTNOTE 16790
SUBJ: SIXTY-SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
1. JUNE 23, 2006, IS A SIGNIFICANT DATE FOR TEAM COAST GUARD.
IT WILL MARK OUR AUXILIARYS SIXTY-SEVENTH YEAR
OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE NATION.
2. WE TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN CALLING THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE AUXILIARY OUR SHIPMATES. AS I INDICATED IN MY COMMANDANT'S INTENT MESSAGE TO ALL AUXILIARIST SHORTLY AFTER ASSUMING COMMAND MAY 25, I CONSIDER EACH OF OUR AUXILIARY MEMBERS AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR COAST GUARD. WE SIMPLY COULD NOT MEET THE CHALLENGES WE FACE OR EXECUTE THE MISSIONS WE DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS WITHOUT THEIR SELFLESS DEVOTION TO DUTY. OUR COAST GUARD AUXILIARY IS TRULY THE FINEST ALL-VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION ON OUR NATION. DURING THE PAST YEAR, THEY HAVE ANSWERED THE CALL TO DUTY DURING SOME OF THE MOST TRYING TIMES IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY. THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF PROFESSIONALISM AND SELFLESSNESS DISPLAYED BY OUR AUXILIARY TEAM FOLLOWING THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANES KATRINA, WILMA AND RITA WAS NOTHING SHORT OF MONUMENTAL. THEIR HEROIC RESPONSE DURING THE WORST NATURAL DISASTERS ON RECORD CLEARLY ILLUSTRATES THEIR DEDICATION TO THE SERVICE AND OUR NATION.
3. WHILE MEMBERS OF THE AUXILIARY IN THE GULF REGION FOCUSED THEIR EFFORTS ON HELPING COMMUNITIES RECOVER FROM THE DEVASTATING EFFECTS OF THE HURRICANES, MANY OTHERS CONTINUED TO CARRY OUT COAST GUARD MISSIONS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE NATION. WHETHER CONDUCTING A VESSEL SAFETY CHECK, OR A COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSEL DOCKSIDE SAFETY EXAM, STANDING A RADIO WATCH, OR PULLING A SURVIVOR FROM THE WATER, THE AUXILIARY CONTINUED TO PROVE ITS STRENGTH AND VALUE FROM COAST TO COAST. LAST YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION OPERATED AND MAINTAINED NEARLY 4,900 SURFACE FACILITIES, 2,900 RADIO FACILITIES AND 300 AIR FACILITIES. OVER 30,000 DEDICATED MEMBERS OF THE AUXILIARY UTILIZED THESE ASSETS TO SAVE NEARLY 300 PEOPLE AND ASSIST OVER 8,000 MORE. AN IMPRESSIVE 411,000 HOURS WERE SPENT ON OPERATIONAL PATROLS. MOST RECENTLY, OUR AUXILIARISTS PROVED YET AGAIN THAT THEY WERE UP TO THE CHALLENGE WHEN THEY ARRIVED ON THE SCENE OF A 24 FT VESSEL THAT SUDDENLY BEGAN TO TAKE ON WATER AND SANK ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. THEIR TIMELY RESPONSE RESULTED IN THE SAFE RECOVERY OF ALL 13 PEOPLE.
4. THOUGH THE NUMBERS THAT AUXILIARISTS HAVE PRODUCED YEAR AFTER YEAR ARE PROFOUND, THE GREATEST MEASURE OF THEIR IMPACT IS FOUND IN THE SPIRIT OF PATRIOTISM AND COMMITMENT THEY HAVE CAST ACROSS OUR DECK PLATES AND DOWN TO THE MOST JUNIOR COAST GUARD RECRUITS.
5. THE COAST GUARD AUXILIARY IS AN EXTREMELY VALUABLE ASSET TO THIS SERVICE, THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, AND OUR NATION. I VALUE THEIR COMMITMENT AND AS SUCH HAVE ADDED THE NATIONAL COMMODORE AS A STANDING MENBER OF MY LEADERSHIP COUNCIL. ON JUNE 23, 2006, I ENCOURAGE ALL COAST GUARD UNITS TO RECOGNIZE THE EXCEPTIONAL DEDICATION AND DEVOTION TO DUTY THAT IS CONSISTENTLY DISPLAYED BY OUR COAST GUARD AUXILIARY VOLUNTEERS.
6. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
7. ADM ALLEN, COMMANDANT, SENDS.
BT
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Internet Release and Distribution is Authorized.
G-PCX, sends.
Thanks for all you do. You are doing the right thing. I stand in awe Sir!
Bump!
Atta-Boy Tonk!
Congratulations and Thank You to all Coast Guard Auxiliary Members!
BTTT
Happy birthday Coast Guard! Thank you for your service to our nation.
Goodonya, mate!
"DieHard"
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