FROM THE DESK OF COMO MARK A . STONE
9 / 11 TWENTY YEARS LATER
THIS PAST SEPTEMBER 11 was the Twentieth Anniversary of the terrorist attacks on America . A total of 2977 people lost their lives that day - 2763 at the World Trade Center in New York , 189 at the Pentagon and 44 from the airplane in a field in Pennsylvania .
Those incidents alone had a great impact on the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary . Shortly after , the Coast Guard was transferred from the Department of Transportation ( DOT ) to the newly formed Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ). The National Incident Management System ( NIMS ) was written , and with that came a national standard of the Incident Command System ( ICS ). As time has continued this increased the required training for Auxiliarists . It changed how we enter the Auxiliary with enhanced background checks , and newer , tamper-proof identification cards . the time of the second plane hitting , I was literally standing on the sidewalk of the building . Not a good way to start your day , and I didn ’ t even get to have my first cup of coffee . That would be the start of long days , months , and a year for me . I am alive today only by the grace of God . Years later , upon retirement , I was introduced to the Auxiliary . Always wanting to continue volunteering and supporting my country , the US Coast Guard Auxiliary was the perfect fit for me .
Where are the members today that volunteered back on the days and months after 9 / 11 ? Unfortunately , some have passed on , some have retired and there are those that chose to disenroll . But there are still many that are with us today . A little older but a lot wiser . These are the members who have been to the battle . And I salute you for your service then and now .
In the time after 9 / 11 , the Auxiliary saw an increase in membership . People from across the country were showing their patriotism and volunteering in many ways not seen in many years . Our ranks swelled to close to 35,000 members . The mission set increased , with an added focus on maritime security .
During this time , the Auxiliary was pressed into service . There are many stories of our members performing a variety of mission : Air and surface operations , Watchstanding , gate duties at stations , vessel inspections , and an overall increase of Auxiliary missions . Ten years ago the US Coast Guard Historian published an article entitled
Auxiliary Response to the Terrorist Attack . Many of our members ’ stories were highlighted . Our members did what they always do best - they stood up and accepted every mission asked of them to support the US Coast Guard .
Since 9 / 11 our training has evolved as well . The training makes us better , knowledgeable and a significantly better resource to put in service to be the “ force multipliers ”. It puts us on the same level as the active-duty members in some cases . As the active-duty missions change and expand , our members become more valuable as a resource to fill that critical need .
At that time on 9 / 11 , I worked for the New York City Fire Department ( FDNY ) as a Captain in the Bureau of EMS , stationed in Manhattan . I was the first arriving EMS Captain to arrive , prior to the second plane hitting the towers . At
As time has moved forward , so has the level of integration of the Auxiliary . New competencies and qualifications and expanded rolls in Coast Guard Support an involvement in Incident Command and Emergency Management . A greater role in planning activities and newer missions sets focus on security issues such as Maritime Domain Awareness , Focus Lens , and other programs .
How have you personally evolved since 9 / 11 ? We all know someone who was at " Ground Zero " as a victim , rescuer , or volunteer . We probably will never forget where we were that day , and what we were doing . You are here with us now . So , Thank you !
Thank you to those who volunteered then , continue to do so now , and the members who have joined us since . I am honored to be the District Commodore of such an amazing group of patriotic volunteers , here in District One Southern Region . You make this country better .
I wish you all well . And remember “ Never Forget ”.
May God Bless you all and God Bless the United States of America !
Very Respectfully ,
Mark A . Stone District Commodore First Southern District
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