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The colorful parade of District flags were carried into the ball room by their respective District Commodores (DCO). They were followed by an excellent color guard of Auxiliarists from District 11-SR.
Auxiliarist Tanya Wilkins sang the National Anthem. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by National Vice Commodore Jim Vass. The honor roll of Past Commodores who crossed over the bar during the preceding year were named to the tolling of the ship’s bell. Auxiliarist Baylor Maggenti, D11-SR Layperson gave the invocation.
NACO Kerrigan opened the conference stating the theme of this year’s conference “Leadership, Performance, Readiness.” He gave a brief outline of the training sessions, International discussion panel and the social activities of the conference. He announced that the new Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Robert Papp, Jr. will be the keynote speaker at the National Commodores Banquet on Saturday evening.
Commodore’s aide Chester Lowe introduced the head table, members of the National staff and special guests. He gave a special salute to the past first ladies of the Auxiliary and the large number of sponsors and exhibitors at this year’s conference. He introduced the five Past National Commodores in attendance, PNACO Henry G. Pratt, PNACO Everette L. Tucker, PNACO Viggo Bertelsen, PNACO Bill Edgerton and PNACO Gene Seibert. Immediate PNACO Steve Budar was seated at the head table.
Foreign dignitaries from five countries were introduced, Canada, the Philippines, the Dominican Republic, Curacao and Australia.
Mayor Scott Lamar, Paradise Valley, welcomed all to the great State of Arizona. He remarked that he took comfort out of “seeing the Coast Guard Auxiliary patrolling the nearby waters.” He pointed out that we were really not in Phoenix or Scottsdale, were actually in the town of Paradise Valley.
Rear Admiral Joseph Castillo, Commander of the Eleventh CG District added his welcome to the area. The District encompasses the States of Arizona, Nevada, Utah and California, including 3.3 million square miles of coastal and offshore waters. RADM Castillo related anecdotes of his discovery of the Auxiliary and how, over time, the value of the Auxiliary as a force multiplier has increased. He remarked how the responsibilities of the Auxiliary have increased over the past few years. He also remarked how the Auxiliary embraced the modernization of the Coast Guard and has led the way in the actual implementation of the modernization plan.
The tension in the room started to heighten as Deputy National Commodore (DNACO) Richard Lawrence, Chief Counsel, read the rules of election. NACO Kerrigan appointed the election Teller and counting staff, all composed of Past National Commodores.
The first election was for the office of National Commodore for 2011-2012. Only one Auxiliarist ran for this office, current Vice National Commodore Jim Vass. Commodore Vass was elected by voice vote and was widely congratulated.
The results of the other elections were:
National Vice Commodore Tom Mallison
Deputy National Commodore Atlantic-East Don Frasch
Deputy National Commodore Atlantic-West Mark Simoni
Deputy National Commodore Pacific Marie Scholle
Mr. Fred Messman, Deputy Director of the National Safe Boating Council name PNACO Everette Tucker to the NSBC Boating Safety Hall of Fame. He was joined by Ms. Ruth Wood, BoatUS Foundation in presenting the crystal award to COMO Tucker.
Ms. Tiffany Isaacson of the American Drown Proofing Association of America discussed her organizations efforts in reducing the accidental drowning that occur every year. She presented methods that could reduce the quantity of drownings that occur at neighborhood pools, home pools and the like.
National Commodore Nick Kerrigan bestowed honorary membership to the USCG Auxiliary to Vice Admiral Higinio Mendoza, National Director for the Philippines Coast Guard Auxiliary and Commodore Ray Campbell, Australian Volunteer Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Members of the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary presented plaques to the counterparts in the USCG Auxiliary.
Dignitaries from other sister volunteer organizations had brief remarks to the assembly.
The were a large number of Coast Guard and Auxiliary awards presented. These are covered in a separate section of SITREP’s NACON coverage (see Awards).
Four of five recommendations were passed to be sent to the Chief Director of Auxiliary for further consideration.
Two Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) were signed. One with the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary and one with Progressive Insurance Company (who is supplying our new Program Visitors brochure stands).
The session was recessed to Saturday morning.
~jim 08-26-10