R 241602Z FEB 10 

ALCOAST 089/10
COMDTNOTE 5700
SUBJ: ANNIVERSARY OF THE COAST GUARD RESERVE
1. TODAY, I HELPED CELEBRATE THE 69TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE
COAST GUARD RESERVE WITH CONGRESSMAN WILLIAM DELAHUNT, A
FORMER COAST RESERVIST. HE VISITED US TO HONOR THIS
EXTRAORDINARY AND CRITICAL COMPONENT OF OUR WORKFORCE. THE
COAST GUARD RESERVE WAS CREATED FEBRUARY 19TH, 1941 WHEN
CONGRESS AMENDED THE COAST GUARD AUXILIARY AND RESERVE ACT.
SINCE THAT TIME, COAST GUARD RESERVISTS HAVE STEADFASTLY
STOOD THE WATCH, ALONGSIDE THEIR ACTIVE DUTY COUNTERPARTS,
IN SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY.
2. THIS YEAR HAS SEEN MANY SIGNIFICANT EVENTS FOR THE COAST
GUARD RESERVE. MOST RECENTLY, MORE THAN 260 RESERVISTS
WERE MOBILIZED TO PROVIDE SECURITY AND LIFE SUSTAINING
SUPPORT AFTER HAITI WAS RAVAGED BY A DEVASTATING
EARTHQUAKE. ADDITIONALLY, COAST GUARD RESERVISTS CONTINUE
TO SUPPORT OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS AS OVER 700
RESERVISTS SERVED ON ACTIVE DUTY, BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD.
3. OUR RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD PRESENTS CONSTANT CHALLENGES
FOR OUR SERVICE AND FOR THE SECURITY OF OUR COUNTRY. THE
RESERVE FORCE FILLS A CRITICAL ROLE IN OUR ABILITY TO MEET
THESE CHALLENGES BY PROVIDING SPECIALIZED SKILL SETS AND AN
ENHANCED SURGE CAPABILITY. THROUGH OUR ACTIVE SUPPORT OF
THE RESERVE FORCE READINESS SYSTEM, WE STAND UNITED IN OUR
COMMITMENT TO PROVIDE THE BEST ORGANIZATIONAL CONSTRUCT TO
SUPPORT OUR RESERVE FORCE.
4. I ENCOURAGE ALL GUARDIANS TO CONGRATULATE YOUR RESERVE
SHIPMATES ON THE OCCASION OF THE SIXTY-NINTH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE COAST GUARD RESERVE. THE EACH RESERVIST: I AM PROUD OF
YOUR SERVICE, YOUR COMMITMENT AND YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS.
5. SEMPER PARATUS
6. ADM THAD W. ALLEN, USCG, SENDS.
7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.