ALCOAST 595/10 - 2010 HOLIDAY GREETINGS

Shipmates,
As many of you don't receive ALCOAST messages directly I want to pass along the holiday message from Commandant Papp.

Thank you for your service,
Daren

R 152359Z DEC 10

ALCOAST 595/10
COMDTNOTE 5100
SUBJ: 2010 HOLIDAY GREETINGS
1. SHIPMATES, IN THE MIDST OF THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, LINDA AND I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SEND OUR WHOLEHEARTED THANKS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.

2. EACH AND EVERY DAY YOU PROVIDE FOR THE SAFETY, SECURITY, AND STEWARDSHIP OF OUR NATION AND ITS WATERS. YOUR OUTSTANDING WORK OVER THE PAST YEAR, WHETHER ACTIVE DUTY, RESERVE, CIVILIAN OR AUXILIARY, ONCE AGAIN SHOWCASED THE VALUE OF OUR SMALL SERVICE. IN HAITI, YOU WERE FIRST ON-SCENE TO PROVIDE HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN THE WAKE OF A DEVASTATING EARTHQUAKE, AND YOU HAVE LED, AND CONTINUE TO LEAD, THE EXTRAORDINARY CLEAN-UP AND OVERSIGHT OF THE DEEPWATER HORIZON OIL SPILL RESPONSE. WE ALSO REMEMBER OUR RETIREES, WHO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT US AND STILL SERVE AS MEMBERS OF THE COAST GUARD FAMILY. THIS YEAR, OUR FAMILY ALSO EXPERIENCED THE PAINFUL LOSS OF SHIPMATES. WE REMEMBER THEM. WE MISS THEM. WE WILL NEVER FORGET THEM.

3. WE FACE MANY CHALLENGES IN THE NEW YEAR. INDEED, THERE IS MUCH IMPORTANT WORK TO BE DONE-BUT MY FAITH IN YOUR ABILITY TO COMPLETE OUR CHALLENGING MARITIME MISSIONS HAS NEVER BEEN STRONGER. FOR NOW, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO ENJOY THE WARMTH OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON. REST, RELAX AND SPEND TIME WITH YOUR FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND SHIPMATES. AS YOU ENJOY THE COMPANY OF YOUR LOVED ONES, REMEMBER OUR COAST GUARDSMEN, AND ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN SERVING IN OUR ARMED FORCES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, WHO ARE PROUDLY STANDING WATCH, PROVIDING SAFETY, SECURITY AND PEACE FOR THIS HOLIDAY SEASON.

4. YOU ARE AN EXCEPTIONAL GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS AND I CANNOT EXPRESS HOW THANKFUL I AM TO SERVE WITH YOU. DURING THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, AND FOR THE MANY THAT WILL FOLLOW, WE WILL CONTINUE TO FAITHFULLY SERVE. THIS IS OUR CHOSEN PROFESSION. THIS IS OUR WAY. THIS IS WHAT WE DO. WE ARE THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD, PAST AND PRESENT.

5. STAND A TAUT WATCH, SEMPER PARATUS AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS.

6. ADMIRAL BOB AND LINDA PAPP, SEND.

7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.