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National Conference – 2009 (NACON)Article and photos by Mel Borofsky, Editor SITREP |
NACON 2009 – Commodore’s Banquet
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Admiral Thad Allen and National Vice Commodore Jim Vass |
Chicago, August 29. The Commodore’s banquet on Saturday evening at NACON is always a gala affair. On view were Coast Guard Guardians, Auxiliary and active duty, in their formal attire; suits and fancy dresses for the first and last time this weekend. The conversation level, always high, was even a bit higher in anticipation of the Commandant’s keynote address.
Following a sumptuous dinner the business of the evening was at hand. National Commodore Nicholas Kerigan introduced the Commandant, Admiral Thad Allen, who received a standing ovation. The Admiral and National Commodore then presented the Unit Citation for the Auxiliary’s 70th anniversary. A letter of congratulations from President Obama was read, again followed by a standing ovation.
The Commandant and National Commodore introduced and congratulated 2008 Auxiliarist of the Year Marilyn Leonard. Her accomplishments were read and she was presented with a Commandant signed certificate of her achievement. NOTE: The full story may be found on a SITREP past story).
The Boating Manufacturers Recreational Boating Safety Auxiliarist of the Year Award went to Chris Todd of Miami Beach, FL, District 7. Chris is a Public Affairs Officer from the District and was part of this year’s NACON coverage, writing in part for SITREP.
The Flotilla of the Year award was presented by Ms. Ruth Wood, BoatUS. The 2008 Flotilla of the Year is Flotilla 65 of District 1-Northern Region. Flotilla Commander Warren L. Washburn, Jr. accepted the award for the flotilla. The flotilla which meets in Marion, MA, is the oldest continuously operting flotilla in the Auxiliary. They were founded in September, 1939.
Commodore Kerigan then, again, introduced Commandant of the USCG, Admiral Thad Allen. He read the Admiral’s long and remarkable resume and highlighted the Admirals major achievements. The comments about the Admiral’s involvement with the Katrina disaster brought great applause.
ADM Allen started by commending the Directors of Auxiliary in the audience and spoke of the undeniable value each Director of Auxiliary delivers in coordinating the activities of the Auxiliary throughout every Coast Guard District.
ADM Allen went on to congratulate the Auxiliary on it’s 70th Anniversary and spoke of the extraordinary history of the Auxiliary as a part of the U.S. Coast Guard. “I have to say that as I stand here this evening, looking at a modernized Coast Guard Auxiliary, that you are leading the way. We have to catch up with you,” said ADM Allen. “There is nothing that we ask you [USCG AUX] to do that you don’t do,” he added. The only things you don’t do are the things that we don’t know you can do, or that we forgot to ask you to do.” This comment brought a hearty round of laughter and applause from the audience.
ADM Allen spoke of the value the modernized realignment of the Auxiliary will create in better identifying the various skills within the Auxiliary, and how this will lead to many more opportunities for Auxiliary members to complement the various missions of the Coast Guard. “Your passion, your skills, and your talents can be brought to bear for this Country like never before,” stated ADM Allen. “You have never been more needed, nor more relevant, than you are right now.” he added.
“No one delivers better value to this Country than the Coast Guard Auxiliary. You are always willing to help.” ADM Allen said.
This was ADM Allen’s final NACON visit prior to his expected relief as USCG Commandant. The Admiral was presented with gifts of appreciation by National Commodore Nicholas Kerigan, on behalf of the Auxiliary.
National Commodore Kerigan then closed the conference with a hearty “Have a safe trip home, I look forward to seeing you in Phoenix, NACON 2010.”
~GJA