R 281513Z NOV 12

ALCOAST 501/12
COMDTNOTE 1000
SUBJ: 237TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NAVY CHAPLAIN CORPS
1. THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD JOIN ME IN
WISHING A HAPPY 237TH BIRTHDAY TO THE U.S. NAVY CHAPLAIN CORPS.
2. NAVY CHAPLAINS HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING OUR NATIONS SEA SERVICE SINCE
28 NOVEMBER 1775. THROUGHOUT OUR STRUGGLE FOR INDEPENDENCE, AND EVEN
BEFORE THE ADOPTION OF OUR CONSTITUTION, THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
RECOGNIZED THE NECESSITY OF ENDURING SPIRITUAL SUPPORT FOR OUR
MILITARY PERSONNEL.
3. WITH OVER 700,000 ACTIVE AND RESERVE SAILORS, MARINES AND COAST
GUARDSMEN STATIONED AROUND THE WORLD AND IN THE MOST REMOTE AREAS OF
THE UNITED STATES, THE TASK IS AS FORMIDABLE AS IT IS IMPORTANT. IT
IS MADE EVEN MORE SO BY THE WIDE SPECTRUM OF BELIEFS HELD BY THOSE
WHO ENTER THE SERVICE. OUR MILITARY CHAPLAINS SUPPORT SERVICE MEMBERS
OF OVER 100 DIFFERENT FAITH GROUPS.
4. CHAPLAINS HAVE STOOD ALONG SIDE THE MEN, WOMEN AND FAMILIES OF THE
COAST GUARD SINCE 1929, WHEN THE FIRST CHAPLAIN ASSIGNED TO THE COAST
GUARD, CHAPLAIN ROY LEWIS, REPORTED TO THE COAST GUARD ACADEMY.
5. TODAY 40 ACTIVE AND 11 RESERVE CHAPLAINS CONTINUE TO EXEMPLIFY
THEIR MOTTO "VOCATI AD SERVITIUM" (CALLED TO SERVE) BY FAITHFULLY
PROVIDING SPIRITUAL SUPPORT, PASTORAL CARE AND A STEADY PRESENCE
AROUND THE COAST GUARD. THEIR COMMITMENT TO CARING FOR ALL WAS MOST
RECENTLY VISIBLE DURING AND FOLLOWING THE HURRICANE SANDY RESPONSE
EFFORTS.
6. ON THIS SPECIAL OCCASION OF THEIR 237TH BIRTHDAY, PLEASE THANK OUR
CHAPLAINS FOR THEIR FAITHFUL AND DEDICATED SERVICE TO OUR COAST GUARD
AND TO OUR NATION.
7. ADM BOB PAPP, COMMANDANT, SENDS.
8. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.