As I noted earlier, I was honored to attend the annual New York Coast Foundation Dinner last night. I had the additional honor to meet the representatives of the units and their families. Below is a press release issued by the Foundation in advance of the dinner that provides the details (one correction: VADM Crea stood in for VADM Papp who is in Europe). It was an extraordinary event held on Ellis Island ... our thanks to the Foundation.
Immediately below are my closing remarks from last night ...
ADM A
Tonight, you have heard amazing stories of sacrifice, heroism and hope...and it is my great honor to help close the evening.
I face many challenges in my job, but whatever problems we face in the endless "tyranny of the present" in Washington are dwarfed and become inconsequential compared to these celebrations of who we are and what we do in the service of our country and humanity.
So tonight I stand before you
as I have on other occasions
with other heroes
to marvel at the work of our Guardians.
And each time we have been breathless at what they did
we wonder "is it possible for anyone to do more."
Yes, it is possible...and the tradition continues this evening.
Those we have honored here this evening gave 31 people back their lives.
31 people returned to families and loved ones,
31 lives resumed that had been ransomed by nature and circumstance,
31 reasons why the men and women of the United States Coast Guard get up every morning and go to work.
It is very fitting that these individuals are being recognized in this remarkable building on this island that gave more than 12 million people a new life.
From 1892 when Annie Moore, a 15-year-old girl from County Cork, Ireland became the first immigrant to land on Ellis Island to 1954 when Norwegian merchant seaman Arne Peterssen became the last,
this island,
the lady that stands watch in the harbor
this building
have represented the future,
and more importantly the hope for generations that would build this Nation.
Their perseverance, courage and selfless actions mirror the heroism we recognize tonight.
America's voyage is still underway, sustained by the strength of our people who hail from all points on the globe
We should also remember that the origins of our Coast Guard lie in this harbor as well. We are distinctly American and a child of the Revolutionary War.
It was less than a mile from here that Alexander Hamilton and his classmates from Kings College (what would become Columbia University) dragged cannons away from Battery Park to avoid their capture by the invading British forces in 1775. He would later serve throughout the war as George Washington?s aide de camp.
It was here following the Revolution that Hamilton wrote Federalist Paper Number 12, which stated "A few armed vessels, judiciously stationed at the entrances of our ports, might at a small expense be made useful sentinels of the laws."
It was a short distance up the Hudson River where Hamilton rowed a small boat across from Manhattan to Weehawken, New Jersey to meet Aaron Burr in a duel in 1804.
It is short walk from Battery Park where those cannons stood to Trinity Church where Hamilton lies at rest.
It was there following the attacks of 9/11 that Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers assembled and cleaned the ashes from his grave.
And to the east lies Governor?s Island which holds a special place in many of our hearts ? I would note that the three Allen children attended P.S. 26 there!
These commingled histories are important.
this island,
this harbor,
our Coast Guard
I am reminded of Franklin Roosevelt's comment on America?s lineage. "Remember always, that all of us are descended from immigrants and revolutionists".
And Jack Parr once said "immigration is the sincerest form of flattery."
The American dream has to be nurtured, protected and rescued by those willing to make the ultimate sacrifice. So as we honor our Guardians tonight let us also honor the crew of helicopter 6505.
Commander Tom Nelson, Lieutenant Commander Andrew Wischmeier, Petty Officer First Class David Skimin, and Petty Officer Second Class Joshua Nichols made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country.
In that awful time of pain and loss
as we grieved and came to together as a family for our shipmates,
the Coast Guard Foundation was there with us.
Tending the families of the fallen,
Tending to the Coast Guard family.
So, to the Coast Guard Foundation
Once again, we are in your debt.
Once again you have rescued the rescuers.
God Bless the Coast Guard Foundation.
FOUNDATION PRESS RELEASE
STONINGTON, Conn., Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced today its 28th Annual Salute event recognizing the United States Coast Guard. Scheduled to take place on Thursday, October 16, 2008 at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum in New York Harbor, the Annual Salute will honor a select group of Coast Guard members with the Coast Guard Foundation Awards for Heroism. The gala will be emceed by Robert J. Flynn, a director of the Coast Guard Foundation and president of Mallory Jones Lynch Flynn & Assoc. Inc., and feature ceremonial music by the United States Coast Guard Band. Speakers will include Commandant Thad Allen who will also present awards, and Atlantic Area Commander, Vice Admiral Robert J. Papp, who will present colors. In addition to celebrating exemplary service, the event will raise funds to support the Foundation's important projects and programs including the Evergreen Fund college scholarship for children, as well as grants for enlistees that improve the lives and performance of Coast Guard members, their families and United States Coast Guard Academy cadets.
"Our Annual Salute event is a proud expression of our gratitude for the bravery and heroism our Coast Guard members demonstrate everyday to keep Americans safe," said Anne Brengle, president of the Coast Guard Foundation. "We are proud to welcome our partners and the community to join us in honoring our impressive Coast Guard men and women, and to support our important year-round efforts to help enhance service and opportunities for members and their families."
The Coast Guard Foundation Awards for Heroism will honor the heroic efforts demonstrated during the March 23, 2008 Alaska Ranger fishing vessel rescue by LT James K. Terrell, AMT2 Alfred L. Musgrave, MK2 Barry D. Lawson; AST2 Obrien Hollow; AMT2 Robert R. DeBolt and AST3 Abram A. Heller.
The rescue of eight Alaska Ranger mariners has been described as the most courageous and successful maritime search and rescue effort in modern history. In the early morning hours of March 23, 2008, the Alaska Ranger, a 192-foot trawler with 47 persons on board, sank in the frigid Bering Sea 120 miles west of Dutch Harbor, Alaska. Battling gale force 30-knot winds; rough 12-foot swells, near freezing seas and exposure, the honorees demonstrated incredible strength of character and resolve to successfully rescue eight mariners adrift in the sea without the benefit of lifeboats. While the efforts of all parties involved in the rescue were heroic, the actions of the honorees were truly remarkable.
In recognition of successful search and rescue cases (responding to 18 SAR cases and saving 11 lives) conducted during the extremely arduous 2007-2008 ice season, CG Station Saginaw River, represented by BM2 Anthony J. Vavrek and SN Matthew J. Bell, will also be presented with awards. While search and rescue is difficult under normal conditions, the ice rescues executed were compounded by snowstorms, extreme temperatures and ever-changing conditions on the ice.
The Coast Guard annual gala will be held on Thursday, October 16, 2008; beginning at 7:00 pm with a cocktail reception followed by a dinner reception beginning at 8:00 pm. Transport to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum will be available by ferry, with boarding at 6:30 pm departing from Battery Park. For more information on the Coast Guard Foundation's 28th Annual Salute to the United States Coast Guard, the Coast Guard Foundation or for interest in supporting its work, please visit the Coast Guard Foundation website
www.cgfdn.org.
About The Coast Guard Foundation
The Coast Guard Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1969. It was initially created to provide funds for academic, athletic, and morale needs of the Coast Guard Academy and its cadets, which were not covered by federal operational funding. In 1986, the Foundation expanded its charter to support projects that enhance the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families. A Board of 100 Trustees from all parts of the country governs the Foundation. The Trustees elect from their members a 30 person Board of Directors to oversee the management of the Foundation. Located in Stonington, Connecticut, the Foundation employs a staff of ten civilians responsible for meeting the Foundation's objectives and working closely with the Coast Guard on all issues.
SOURCE The Coast Guard Foundation