Office of Auxiliary CG-3PCX

SIXTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
ALCOAST 312/04

R 231450Z JUN 04
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//G-C//
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS //N16790//
ALCOAST 312/04
COMDTNOTE 16790

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 AMERICA'S 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. 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 NATION'S 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 AMERICA'S WATERWAY WATCH PROGRAM. AUXILIARISTS ARE TEACHING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF AMERICA'S RECREATIONAL BOATERS HOW TO PROPERLY IDENTIFY AND REPORT SUSPICIOUS MARITIME ACTIVITY FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR NATION'S 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.

Last Modified 5/19/2008