R 282209Z FEB 12

ALCOAST 093/12
COMDTNOTE 1750
SUBJ: OMBUDSMAN APPRECIATION DAY
1. I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO EXTEND MY HEARTFELT
APPRECIATION TO ALL THE DEDICATED COAST GUARD OMBUDSMEN WHO WORK
DILIGENTLY TO SUPPORT OUR COAST GUARD SERVICE MEMBERS AND FAMILIES
EVERY DAY. WHILE BALANCING FAMILY LIFE AND CAREERS OF THEIR OWN,
THESE COMMITTED VOLUNTEERS DONATE THEIR TIME AND ENERGY TO PROVIDE
FAMILY SUPPORT THAT ENABLES THE EXECUTION OF OUR CHALLENGING
MISSIONS.
2. OUR COAST GUARD OMBUDSMEN ARE THE VITAL COMMUNICATION LINK BETWEEN
COMMANDS AND FAMILIES THAT ALLOWS OUR MEMBERS TO FOCUS ON THE MISSION
AT HAND AND PROTECT OUR NATION. OMBUDSMEN KEEP THE CHAIN OF COMMAND
INFORMED ON A WIDE ARRAY OF ISSUES FACING OUR MEMBERS AND THEIR
FAMILIES. SOME OF THESE ISSUES INCLUDE PAY AND COMPENSATION,
EDUCATION, CHILD CARE, AND HOUSING. OMBUDSMEN ALSO PLAY A MAJOR ROLE
IN CRISIS RESPONSE AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS.
3. ON 26 MARCH, WE CELEBRATE OMBUDSMAN APPRECIATION DAY, TO RECOGNIZE
THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THESE DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS. I ENCOURAGE ALL
COMMANDS TO HOST APPROPRIATE FUNCTIONS THAT EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE AND
APPRECIATION FOR THEIR SERVICE TO THE COAST GUARD AND THE NATION.
4. OUR OMBUDSMEN-AT-LARGE, MRS. DEBBIE LEAVITT AND MRS. COLLEEN
ALLEN, AND I WOULD LIKE YOU TO CONVEY TO EACH OMBUDSMAN OUR SINCEREST
GRATITUDE FOR THE MANY CONTRIBUTIONS THEY HAVE MADE, AND WILL
CONTINUE TO MAKE, TO OUR COAST GUARD FAMILIES.
5. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OMBUDSMAN APPRECIATION, VISIT THE
WORK-LIFE WEB SITE AT HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/WORKLIFE/OMBUDSMAN.ASP.
6. POC FOR THE COAST GUARD OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM IS MS. CHRISTINE DEGRAW
AT 202-475-5142 OR E-MAIL: CHRISTINE.M.DEGRAW(AT)USCG.MIL.
7. RADM M.K.DOLLYMORE, DIRECTOR OF HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WORK-LIFE,
SENDS.
8. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.