ALCOAST 227/21 - JUN 2021 82ND BIRTHDAY OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

R 231252Z JUN 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 227/21
SSIC 16790
SUBJ: 82ND BIRTHDAY OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
1. Happy birthday and congratulations to all United States Coast
Guard Auxiliarists on your 82 years of devoted service to
a grateful United States Coast Guard and maritime public.
2. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has forged a rich heritage
and stellar reputation since its creation in 1939 when Congress
established an organization of volunteers to promote boating
safety in the United States and augment the U.S. Coast Guard.
As the years have passed, the scope of Auxiliary support of
Coast Guard units and missions has incredibly expanded,
surpassed only by the enthusiasm, dedication, and compassion
of Auxiliarists themselves.
3. In our 21st century Coast Guard, it is not surprising
to find Auxiliarists delivering interpreter and translation
services in dozens of foreign languages, honing cyber skills
to assist the defense of Coast Guard information systems,
and providing vital religious ministry support to the District
Chaplain community, in addition to exercising their traditional
roles and recognized strengths in recreational boating safety,
search and rescue, and public outreach. This year we also
celebrate the Auxiliary’s commitment to service throughout the
COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the extraordinary challenges presented,
Auxiliary personnel made significant impacts nationwide.
Whether flying medical supplies to those in need in remote
locations, supplying critical health services support to
Coast Guard clinics, or furnishing compassionate chaplain support
at Coast Guard units, the Auxiliary consistently answered all
bells and facilitated Coast Guard response across the board.
4. Even more impressively, the Auxiliary employed remarkable
flexibility in adapting to the necessities of a virtual
environment. The Auxiliary rapidly and creatively leveraged
technology to successfully conduct more than 1,000 virtual
unit elections integral to the continuity of Auxiliary
leadership. It also successfully held its first-ever online
Auxiliary National Board meeting in which the Vice Commandant
and I were privileged to participate.
5. The Auxiliary’s steadfast determination and remarkable
ingenuity are hallmarks of National Commodore Alex Malewski’s
Watch Words, “Ready, Resourceful, Resilient.” The Auxiliary
sets the standard we can all appreciate and emulate in our
quest for mission excellence. I am extremely proud of our
Coast Guard Auxiliary. Please join me in recognizing this
significant milestone in a long and distinguished history
of service by congratulating our Auxiliarists for their
outstanding performance and 82 years of exceptional
adherence to our defining core values of Honor, Respect, and
Devotion to Duty. Semper Paratus.
6. POC: CDR Edgardo Cruz, COMDT (CG-BSX-11) at:
Edgardo.Cruz@uscg.mil.
7. ADM Karl L. Schultz, Commandant (CCG), sends.
8. Internet release is authorized.