Homeland Security Leaders To Address Coast Guard Auxiliary Convention in Orlando This Week

Contact: Aux. Wayne Spivak
Chief - External Communications
Public Affairs Department
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
http://www.auxpa.org
516-353-9155
Media@auxpa.org


Homeland Security Leaders
To Address Coast Guard Auxiliary Convention in Orlando This Week

- BELLMORE, NY, August 30, 2005 - Three Admirals, including the Vice Commandant, of the United States Coast Guard will address the National Convention of the Coast Guard Auxiliary this week at the Rosen Centre in Orlando.

RADM Thomas H. Gilmour, Assistant Commandant for Marine Safety and Environmental Protection, will address the Convention on Friday, September 2 at approximately 7:30 AM.

RADM Robert D. Sirois, Assistant Commandant for Operations, will speak shortly before noon Saturday September 3.

Vice Admiral Terry M. Cross, Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard will address the assembly between noon and ten Saturday evening.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is a 32,000 member civilian volunteer component of the Coast Guard, and so far in 2005 Auxiliary members have donated over 360,000 operational hours and 175,000 training hours in supplementing the work of full-time Coast Guard Personnel. Last year, the Auxiliary was responsible for the saving of over 300 lives.

Utilizing their own boats and aircraft on mission, Auxiliarist Boat Crews and Air Crews routinely patrol America"s waterways and coasts, keeping a constant eye for persons in distress and for suspicious activity. At Coast Guard Stations all over America, Auxiliarists man the phones and radios, as well as serving on USCG Cutters in various capacities.

For the boating public, Auxiliarists routinely conduct boating classes and give Vessel Safety Checks.

The Auxiliary has expanded its role to include Maritime Domain Awareness, since the events of 9/11. Auxiliary National Commodore Gene Seibert, in addressing the new responsibilities, stated "We are the first line. We are out there, doing what we always do but with an added responsibility to help safeguard lives, property and our Nation from further terrorist threat."

Members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary National Public Affairs Staff will be available to assist media representatives covering the Convention.

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is composed of uniformed, non-military volunteer"s who assist the Coast Guard in all of its varied missions, except for military and direct law enforcement. These men and women can be found on the nation"s waterways, in the air, in classrooms and on the dock, performing Maritime Domain Awareness patrols, safety patrols, vessel safety checks and public education.

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary was founded in 1939 by an Act of Congress as the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and re-designated as the Auxiliary in 1941. Its 31,000 members donate millions of hours annually in support of Coast Guard missions.


The release is available at: http://www.auxpa.org/releases/community/082905.html

Source: on pressbot.org | Date: 14.12.2005 - 21:57 | 404 times read