HomeMy WebLinkAboutUS Coast Guard Auxiliary I
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75"AUXILIARY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION JUN �
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Sector Field Office/Port Angeles, WA
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Flotilla 42 Commander Marilynn Leonard's Remarks 19 JUNE 2014:
A hearty welcome to everyone who has joined us today in the 75th Celebration of
the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. A special acknowledgement and thanks to the
Mayor of Port Angeles, Dan DiGuilio, Vice Mayor Patrick Downie, and CAPT Keith
McTigue, Commanding Officer of Air Station/Sector Field Office, Port Angeles,
Washington.
To the members of the Coast Guard in attendance, their families, and friends a
special thanks for joining with my U. S. C. G. Auxiliary officers and members of
Flotilla 42 which includes Port Angeles, Sequim, Quileute River, Neah Bay, and
Forks.
In 1939, Congress created the Coast Guard Auxiliary, with the title "Coast Guard
Reserve." In 1942, the name was changed to the Auxiliary, and a Reserve was
created to accommodate the rapid growth of the Coast Guard during the Second
World War. The Reserve allowed for wartime expansion by placing members on
Active Duty without expanding the regular career force beyond what was
anticipated as the "End Strength" number of personnel required for the post war
years.
The Auxiliary performed many duties over these 75 years--from Radio Watch
Standing, Intelligence, manning lighthouses, administrative duties, tactical
support and some work in Recreational Boating Safety.
Following World War II, the Auxiliary made its primary focus working with the
public in Recreational Boating Safety and conducting Safety Patrols. Congress
gradually increased the type of responsibilities and opportunities for the Auxiliary
to its current authority to perform all Coast Guard functions except carrying arms
and direct law enforcement. The Auxiliary is always under the command of the
Coast Guard via our own Chain of Leadership and the officially designated
Commanders when working directly with Active Duty personnel. The Auxiliary-
and especially Flotilla 42—has a long and storied history as part of Team Coast
Guard.
Some recent examples of this storied history are:
1. In 2007, 2008, and 2009, the Unit was named 1st place in the nation in
Recreational Boating Safety Program Visits.
2. In 2008, one of our Auxiliary members was named by the Commandant of
the U. S. Coast Guard as Auxiliarist of the Year.
3. In 2009, the Flotilla was named by the Commandant as the Outstanding
Flotilla in the Nation.
4. Also, in 2009, our Flotilla Commander was awarded the Charles S. Greanoff
Award 2nd Place in the Nation for Inspirational Leadership as Outstanding
Commander in the Nation.
S. Since 2007, five of our members have been named District-13's Auxiliarist
of the Year, and 5 times are members were named 1st in District-13 in
Direct Support of the Active Duty.
This tradition lives on, and I hope we will serve the public and Active Duty in every
way we are called upon to serve. We want to always keep alive the spirit of
action of Team Coast Guard.
Now let us have some cake and celebrate 75 years of The USCG Auxiliary!