REMARKS FOR
THE HONORABLE
NORMAN Y. MINETA
SECRETARY OF
TRANSPORTATION
AFRAS AWARDS
CEREMONY
WASHINGTON,
D.C.
NOV 13, 2002
5:30 P.M.
Thank you, Admiral Collins for that kind introduction, and
it is an honor to participate in this momentous occasion.
Thank you also Congressman Coble. It’s always a privilege to be in the company of
a member who is a strong advocate for the Department of Transportation and the
Coast Guard.
Visitors, friends, welcome.
To our award recipients, let me say, it is
an honor to be among those to whom honor is due.
And special thanks to Admiral Jim Gracey and the directors
of the Association for Rescue at Sea for their steadfast commitment to promoting
maritime rescue organizations worldwide, and for co-hosting this award ceremony.
Despite everything this country has been through this past
year, it’s important to celebrate occasions like this evening’s ceremony.
This is an event that I have come to look forward to with
great anticipation, because it is on this day that the entire Coast Guard Team
and I, can formally say, thank you.
As the Secretary of the Coast Guard, I am so very proud of
the exemplary jobs you all do every day of the year, year in and year out.
This past year, we have seen examples of personal courage
and self-sacrifice. Not only on
September 11th, but in
the weeks and months that followed.
Individuals in uniform and some without, saved thousands of
American lives. Individuals who
made split-second decisions that changed the course of history.
It is hard to overstate the difference that all of you have
made to America and to the world, and continue to do each and every day.
When Captain Arne Rinnan and his crew of the Motor Vessel
Tampa rescued 438 Afghan migrants from a disabled wooden boat in the Indian
Ocean, their performance was nothing short of spectacular.
Your extraordinary skills and seamanship will not be
forgotten. And again, a special
Bravo Zulu to the three strong crewmen who took turns lifting the stranded
passengers to safety. It gives a
whole new meaning to the phrase, he ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.
Boatswain’s Mate first Class Christopher D’Amelio, of
Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment, and Aviation Survival Technician First
Class Eric Forslund, of Coast Guard Group Astoria, weren’t ordered to jump
into the water and fight violent currents.
It was a natural instinct. And
because of your actions, many people are very grateful today.
So too, can the same be said about Auxiliarist Henry
Chandler, Vice Flotilla Commander of 4-10.
Auxiliarist Chandler repeatedly risked his life to save an elderly couple
whose van had slid down an embankment into a lake in Mississippi.
I know none of you woke up those particular mornings with
the intention of being heroes as you set out on your daily routines.
You may not even think of your actions as heroic.
But we all know that you are.
These rescues are humbling reminders of the dangers that
our highly professional Coast Guard and merchant mariners routinely face so that
others may live.
Each of these award recipients demonstrated courage and
compassion in an environment that few of us ever experience, let alone effect
tricky rescues in, like the 20-foot breaking waves off the Columbia River,
or the murky depths of a lake bed. And,
as the direct result of their efforts, 443 people are alive today.
They truly are heroes.
Captain Rinnan and crew of the Motor Vessel Tampa, Petty
Officers D’Amelio, Forslund and Auxiliarist Chandler, on behalf of President
Bush and Vice President Cheney, I extend the appreciation of the Nation for your
acts of heroism. Please accept our
congratulations on the awards you receive
You truly are Lifesavers and Guardians of the Sea.
Speaking of steadfast commitment, I’d like to ask Admiral
Collins to join me at the podium to make a special presentation to a former
colleague of mine from the House of Representatives Transportation Committee.
Captain Howard Coble, U.S. Coast Guard Reserve retired,
joined the Coast Guard in 1952 as an enlisted man.
In the ensuing 29 years, Howard advanced to the rank of
Captain before retiring from the Reserves in 1981.
Subsequent to his retirement, Captain Coble has continued
his service to the United States Coast Guard throughout his eighteen years as a
Member of the House of Representatives.
In this capacity, my friend Howard, has served on, and
chaired, the Coast Guard’s oversight committee, as well as served as co-chair
of the Congressional Coast Guard Caucus, and as a member of the Coast Guard
Academy’s Board of Visitors.
Please join me and Admiral Collins in congratulating and
thanking Congressman Howard Coble for his half century of service and support of
our Coast Guard.
Please take a moment to thank Howard Coble and our AFRAS award recipients for their dedicated service to our great Nation!
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