August 28-30, Portland, OR. The Auxiliary National Conference 2007 (NACON 2007) has returned to the "City of Roses" after a six-year hiatus. Our last official visit to this lovely and vibrant city was just a few weeks prior to 9/11, back in 2001. I interviewed many 2001/2007 attendees and broached the subject of remembering the world of NACON 2001 versus today. I have interspersed some of their opinions herein. "I chose to drive here this time rather than fly; to avoid the hassle and headaches of the airport," said COMO Gail Ramsey.

The world, our country and, certainly, our Auxiliary has changed in many ways since 2001. The trip to Oregon back then was a much easier affair, especially the lack of lines in the airports. That radical change in security has infiltrated almost every niche in today's society. "The difference in getting here in 2007. I had to really think about what I could and could not pack," said COMO Carol Urgola.

The Department of Homeland Security didn’t exist, we were still lumped with the "bus drivers and taxi operators" in the Department of Transportation. Our role and that of our parent organization, the Coast Guard, has reached new proportions. "We suffered the loss of personal freedom, especially the things we took for granted back then," said Conference Coordinator Tisha Helmer. "The cost of freedom has gone up," added COMO Bob Perrone.

Our on-the-water training now includes port security and maritime domain awareness. We have added "America's Waterway Watch" to our courses of public education, and our visits to neighbor’s boats during vessel safety checks, augmenting our neighbors in the security of our nation. "My grandchildren have a very different future ahead of them, comparing it to my childhood when I was growing up," said COMO Jesse Harrup. Deputy Department Chief Robert Nelson advises, "Live everyday to is fullest because you don't know what the future may bring."

We have expanded our network of information dissemination by including ten fold more dealers in our current "visitor's program." Our communication within our organization has increased thanks to the greater use of electronic media. "We had to grow up as a country, life has gotten a bit more complicated," said COMO Fred Gates. "You can't take safety and security for granted," added Auxiliarist Dave Thomas.

This magazine is a great example; since back in 2001 SITREP's first coverage of a National Conference was a "great experiment." SITREP published, if lucky, one new article a month. Today at least one new article a week regularly appears on the electronic pages of SITREP. On a brighter note, Past DIRAUX and current PCX-3 Administrator Steve Minutolo said (from his favorite Billy Joel tune), "I've got a new wife, got a new life, and the family is fine."