R 251622Z NOV 11

ALCOAST 550/11
COMDTNOTE 1780
SUBJ: NAVY CHAPLAIN CORPS ANNIVERSARY, 28 NOV 2011
1. ON BEHALF OF ALL COAST GUARDSMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES, IT IS MY
PRIVILEGE TO CONGRATULATE THE UNITED STATES NAVY CHAPLAIN CORPS ON
ITS 236TH ANNIVERSARY.
2. ON 28 NOV 1775, THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS RECOGNIZED THE IMPORTANCE
OF SPIRITUAL SUPPORT BY ESTABLISHING REGULATIONS TO GOVERN THE NEW
CONTINENTAL NAVY.  ARTICLE II DIRECTED CAPTAINS TO PROVIDE FOR
RELIGIOUS SERVICES ABOARD THEIR SHIPS.
3.  IN 1929, CHAPLAIN ROY LEWIS BECAME THE FIRST CHAPLAIN ASSIGNED TO
THE COAST GUARD.  HE MINISTERED TO CADETS AT THE COAST GUARD ACADEMY
WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY MINISTERING TO SAILORS AT THE GROTON NAVAL
SUBMARINE BASE.  TODAY, HIS LEGACY IS CARRIED ON BY THE 40 ACTIVE
DUTY AND 11 RESERVE CHAPLAINS ASSIGNED THROUGHOUT OUR SERVICE.
4. TRUE TO THEIR MOTTO VOCATI AD SERVITUM (CALLED TO SERVE) THE
CHAPLAIN CORPS PROVIDE SPIRITUAL SUPPORT, PASTORAL CARE AND A STEADY
PRESENCE TO OUR COAST GUARD.  THEIR SERVICE ENSURES COAST GUARDSMEN
AND OUR FAMILIES REMAIN SEMPER PARATUS, ALWAYS READY.
5. TODAY, AS YOU STAND THE WATCH, PLEASE OFFER YOUR THANKS TO THE
CHAPLAIN CORPS WHO SO VIGILANTLY WATCH OVER US.
6. ADM BOB PAPP, COMMANDANT, SENDS.
7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.