R 072116Z NOV 07 ZUI ASN-A00311000015 ZYB
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALLHANDS
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UNCLAS //N01000//
SUBJ:  COMMANDANTS VETERANS DAY MESSAGE
1.  IT WAS 89 YEARS AGO WHEN THE WORLD BREATHED A COLLECTIVE SIGH
OF RELIEF AS THE ARMISTICE WAS SIGNED ENDING WORLD WAR I.  SINCE
THE CIVIL WAR, MORE THAN 270,000 COAST GUARD MEN AND WOMEN HAVE
FOUGHT IN ARMED CONFLICTS AROUND THE WORLD, AND OVER 2100 LOST
THEIR LIVES.
2.  VETERANS DAY ALSO MARKS THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE U.S.
INVASION OF THE SOLOMON ISLANDS IN WORLD WAR II.  THE BATTLE FOR
GUADALCANAL LOOMS LARGE IN COAST GUARD HISTORY.  IT WAS THERE THAT
SIGNALMAN FIRST CLASS DOUGLAS MUNRO WAS MORTALLY WOUNDED WHILE
RESCUING A BATTALION OF STRANDED MARINES.  AWARDED THE
CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR FOR HIS HEROISM, HE IS THE EPITOME OF
COAST GUARD DEVOTION TO DUTY.
3.  THIS WEEKEND, I WILL JOIN COAST GUARD MEN AND WOMEN
COMMEMORATING VETERANS DAY AT A WREATH LAYING CEREMONY AT THE COAST
GUARD WORLD WAR I MEMORIAL IN ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY.  I ALSO
LOOK FORWARD TO PARTICIPATING IN THE UPCOMING DEDICATION OF THE
COAST GUARD PACIFIC VETERANS MEMORIAL.  THIS MONUMENT, FEATURING A
STONE FROM GUADALCANAL BROUGHT BACK BY CGC WALNUT, WILL SYMBOLIZE
THE COURAGE AND DEDICATION OF COAST GUARD MEN AND WOMEN IN WARTIME
AND PEACE.
4.  OUR SERVICE HAS GROWN AND EVOLVED WITH THE CHANGING TIMES,
WHILE REMAINING THE WORLDS BEST COAST GUARD.  IT WAS FORTY YEARS
AGO THAT WE INTRODUCED OUR DISTINCTIVE RACING STRIPE, NOW
RECOGNIZED AND REPLICATED WORLDWIDE.  FORTY YEARS FROM NOW, EACH OF
YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR THE MARK YOU PUT ON OUR SERVICE FOR THE
NEXT GENERATION.
5.  MY PERSONAL THANKS TO THE LEADERSHIP OF OUR "CHIEFS MESS" FOR
THEIR SPONSORSHIP OF COAST GUARD FLAGS ACROSS AMERICA.  DCC CLYDE
ALLEN (USCG RETIRED) SENDS HIS BZ.
6.  TODAY, AS YOU REFLECT ON THE SACRIFICES OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR
LIVES FOR THIS GREAT NATION, TAKE A MOMENT TO THINK ABOUT YOUR OWN
SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY.  NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER AND VALUE OF
YOUR DEDICATION, COMMITMENT AND DEVOTION TO DUTY.
7.  ADMIRAL THAD ALLEN SENDS.
8.  INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
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