WASHINGTON 20693

 

The Commandant of the Coast Guard takes pleasure in presenting the 

COAST GUARD UNIT COMMENDATION to:

 

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

for service as set forth in the following:

                                                  

 CITATION

"For exceptionally meritorious service from June 24, 1999, through June 23, 2009

while providing superb operational, logistical, and administrative support to the United

States Coast Guard and unparalleled performance to our nation. Auxiliarists nobly

offered their time, effort and resources to support the Coast Guard whenever needed.

Despite unprecedented challenges to our national safety, security, and spirit, Auxiliary

contributions were staggering in their breadth and scope. These stalwart volunteers

performed over 1.2 million recreational and commercial fishing vessel safety checks,

over 980 thousand hours of boating safety course instruction, and more than 7.7 million

hours of operational support and patrol missions. Their diligent efforts resulted in

successful boating safety course completion by more than 1.6 million boaters, the saving

of more than 3,100 lives, assistance of over 91 thousand boaters in distress, and the

prevention of loss of more than 437 million dollars in property. The costs of such

performance were admirably and overwhelmingly borne by Auxiliarists as they logged

over 23.7 million hours of staff work, travel, preparation, training, and self-

administration. All of this was unselfishly delivered as Auxiliarists stood side by side

with their Coast Guard counterparts to confront and overcome a roll call of daunting

challenges to American fortitude including Y2K, 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and many

other natural and man-made disasters. Demonstrating remarkable organizational courage

and determination, the Auxiliary undertook and successfully implemented the most

sweeping changes in its history to its business processes. These included implementation

of background checks on all members as well as comprehensive realignment of its

leadership construct to more flexibly and effectively support the Coast Guard's

modernization efforts. The professionalism, pride, and devotion to duty displayed by the

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary are in keeping with the highest traditions of the

United States Coast Guard."

 

 T. W. ALLEN

Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard

Commandant