ALCOAST 068/08
COMDTNOTE 5700
SUBJ: SIXTY-SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COAST GUARD RESERVE
1. FEBRUARY 19 MARKS THE SIXTY-SEVENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE COAST
GUARD RESERVE. I CONGRATULATE THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE COAST GUARD
RESERVE ON ANOTHER EXCEPTIONAL YEAR OF SERVICE TO THEIR COUNTRY.
2. THE COAST GUARD RESERVE WAS BORN IN 1941 WHEN CONGRESS AMENDED
THE COAST GUARD AUXILIARY AND RESERVE ACT. SINCE THEN COAST GUARD
RESERVISTS HAVE DILIGENTLY STOOD THE WATCH ACROSS THIS NATION AND
ABROAD AS A CRITICAL SURGE CAPABILITY.
3. THE READINESS THE COAST GUARD RESERVE PROVIDES IS A PRODUCT OF A
DEDICATED, TRAINED WORKFORCE WITH A UNIQUE BLEND OF CIVILIAN AND
MILITARY EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE. I CHALLENGE RESERVISTS TO SHARE
YOUR LIFE EXPERIENCES AND WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE WITH THEIR COMMANDS.
I ALSO CHALLENGE COMMANDS TO FULLY UTILIZE THOSE CAPABILITIES,
TALENTS AND WISDOM. BY TRAINING RESERVISTS FOR MOBILIZATION, YOU
PROVIDE THE COAST GUARD WITH GREATER CAPACITY. THE IMPACT OF YOUR
INVESTMENT EXTENDS FAR BEYOND YOUR AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY.
4. IN 2008 THE COAST GUARD RESERVE REMAINS AMONG MY TOP PRIORITIES.
I AM COMMITTED TO OPTIMIZING THE RESERVE COMPONENT BY IMPROVING
TRAINING AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT AS OUTLINED IN COAST GUARD
MODERNIZATION EFFORTS. OUR RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD PRESENTS NEW
CHALLENGES FOR OUR SERVICE AND OUR NATION. RESERVISTS HAVE A
CRITICAL ROLE IN MEETING THESE CHALLENGES.
5. I ENCOURAGE ALL TEAM COAST GUARD MEMBERS TO CONGRATULATE YOUR
RESERVE SHIPMATES ON THE OCCASION OF THE RESERVES SIXTY-SEVENTH
ANNIVERSARY.  TO EACH RESERVIST: I AM PROUD OF YOUR SERVICE, YOUR
COMMITMENT AND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS.
6. SEMPER PARATUS.
7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
8. ADM THAD W. ALLEN, COMMANDANT, SENDS.