R 102038Z NOV 11

ALCOAST 526/11
COMDTNOTE 1000
SUBJ: 2011 VETERANS DAY MESSAGE
1. SHIPMATES, OFTEN TIMES WHEN SOMEONE OBSERVES THE UNIFORM OR KNOWS
THAT WE SERVED, THEY WILL COME UP AND THANK US FOR OUR SERVICE.
2. VETERANS DAY IS WHEN THE NATION PAUSES TO HONOR THOSE WHO SERVED
IN THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES AND SAY TO THEM, "THANK YOU
FOR YOUR SERVICE".
3. THIS SIMPLE STATEMENT IS NOT MERELY A SHOW OF GRATITUDE, BUT A
STRENGTHENING OF THE BOND BETWEEN VETERANS AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
WHOM WE SERVE.  WHEN I HEAR SOMEONE THANK ME FOR SERVING, I RESPOND
THAT ILL PASS IT ON TO THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE COAST GUARD, NAVY,
MARINES, ARMY AND AIR FORCE - AND THEIR FAMILIES.
4. THIS VETERANS DAY, WE WILL GATHER WITH THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, OTHER SERVICE MEMBERS AND OUR
FAMILIES AT THE COAST GUARD WORLD WAR MEMORIAL IN ARLINGTON NATIONAL
CEMETERY (ANC) TO HONOR OUR VETERANS.  IT IS A WONDERFUL MEMORIAL
THAT WAS BUILT AFTER WORLD WAR I AND SERVES AS AN IMPORTANT MONUMENT
TO COAST GUARD VETERANS AND OUR RICH HISTORY AND HERITAGE.  HOWEVER,
DECADES OF WEATHER AND EXPOSURE HAVE DETERIORATED ITS CONDITION AND
APPEARANCE, BUT THOSE ELEMENTS HAVE NOT DIMINISHED BY ANY MEASURE OUR
COMMITMENT TO PROPERLY HONOR OUR COAST GUARD VETERANS.  THIS VETERANS
DAY, I COMMIT THE COAST GUARD TO RENEW AND PRESERVE THE COAST GUARD
WORLD WAR MEMORIAL AT ANC.  WE WILL HONOR COAST GUARD VETERANS AND
OUR SERVICE BY RESTORING THE COAST GUARD WORLD WAR MEMORIAL TO ITS
PROPER CONDITION, ENSURING IT REMAINS A WORTHY TRIBUTE AND ENDURING
INSPIRATION FOR ALL AMERICANS.
5. THANK YOU TO THE WOMEN AND MEN OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
AND VETERANS FROM ALL U.S. ARMED SERVICES FOR YOUR SELFLESS SERVICE
AND CONTINUING CONTRIBUTIONS TO SAFEGUARD OUR NATION.
6. THE TEXT OF MY VETERANS DAY REMARKS AT THE COAST GUARD WORLD WAR
MEMORIAL WILL BE POSTED AT:
HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/SENIORLEADERSHIP/SPEECHES.ASP
7. SEMPER PARATUS.
8. ADMIRAL BOB PAPP, COMMANDANT, AND MASTER CHIEF MICHAEL LEAVITT,
MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER OF THE COAST GUARD, SENDS.
9. INTERNET RELEASE IS AUTHORIZED.