The new Commandant of the Coast Guard, ADM Thad
Allen, is a great proponent and supporter of the Coast Guard
Auxiliary. We were fortunate to have the Coast Guard ask the
Auxiliary to cover ADM Allen’s Change of Command (COC) on May
25, 2006. Out of 10 Coast Guard personnel covering the imagery
(still and video) of the COC, 7 were Auxiliarists and 3 were
active duty. This event was historic in several respects, not
the least of which was it was the first COC in which the
President of the United States was in attendance. In addition to
President Bush, Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff
and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine General Peter
Pace assumed important roles in the COC.
The video of the COC is now available on the A
Department Video Resource Site
here:
I hope you will find the video entertaining and
inspirational. Among other things, it includes the presentation
of the Presidential Unit Citation to the Coast Guard (including
the Auxiliary). If you want to learn more about the COC and
Admiral Allen, consider taking a look at the latest
RESERVIST magazine.
I would like to recognize the COC Video team
under the direction of Roxane Firmin, DVC-AI for their efforts
in covering the event and producing this video. They include the
following Auxiliarists: Joe Cirone, Al Firmin, Ray J. Paiges,
Anthony Turner, and Rob Westcott.
I would also like to encourage Auxiliary public
affairs officers across the Auxiliary to consider this sort of
coverage as another important aspect of the support that we can
provide to the active duty Coast Guard. Properly executed, the
coverage will become a lifelong memento for those involved in
the ceremony. If you are interested in covering a local Coast
Guard unit change of command, I encourage you to contact Roxane
for her support.
Nick Tarlson, DC-A (past)
