NACO Holiday Message

I would like to take this opportunity to offer best wishes from my family to yours for a happy and safe holiday season!

This is a special time for us to share with our family and friends. It is traditionally been a time to give thanks for what we have; it is also a great time to reflect on our past accomplishments, and rekindle our spirit of dedication to serve as a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.
During the holiday season, I personally like to give thanks for all the blessings in my life – my family, my friends, and of course - my shipmates in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary! Joining the Auxiliary has been a life changing decision for many of our members (myself included), and I am thankful for this excellent opportunity to serve my country.

At this time of year, I also like to fondly reflect back on those Auxiliarists who helped mentor me when I first joined the Auxiliary. These mentors helped me through the challenges and frustrations I encountered when I first joined, and encouraged me to press on to higher levels of service within the Auxiliary. More importantly, they gave me confidence to feel like I could do anything I wanted to do in the Auxiliary, and I thank them for that.

If you have been in the Auxiliary for a number of years, you have amassed a huge amount of information and experience that makes you the perfect mentor for new members in your flotilla. Today, with our ever-growing mission needs, it is very easy for a new member to get overwhelmed and discouraged. I ask you to reach out to the newest members in your flotilla, embrace their friendship, and show them the way ahead. Take a future Commodore under your wing and help them to develop their skills and become a better Auxiliarist.
The successes and challenges of 2008 are done and behind us; it is now time to focus on the coming year and what we need to do to make it as productive and successful as possible. I ask that you look at how you can make a difference for our organization in the next year.
Lastly, I ask that you reflect back on the reasons why you joined our wonderful organization. Many of us joined the US Coast Guard Auxiliary to simply improve our boating skills, and to provide some level of service back to our community. Fortunately for us, our organization offers us a plethora of opportunities to serve the Coast Guard, our community, and our nation. I encourage you to find out “what floats your boat” and take full advantage of the training and service opportunities that interests you. Get involved, learn and teach – I promise you, you’ll be glad you did!
Once again, I thank you for the time and effort you give to our Coast Guard Auxiliary, and our nation. I wish you joy, peace, health and happiness in 2009 and beyond.

COMO Nicholas Kerigan

National Commodore