CG Headquarters, Washington, D.C., November 1, 2004. At 1020 sharp, Commander Chris Olin, Assistant Chief Director of the Auxiliary called the room to attention and the official party entered the room.

Captain Wilber Douglass, Chaplain of the Coast Guard, opened the proceedings with an invocation.

Admiral Thomas Collins, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, paid homage to the men and women of the Auxiliary. In his remarks Admiral Collins specified many of the major achievements of the Auxiliary. “You more than double the size of our Coast Guard force, you are true force multipliers,” he said.

Admiral Collins recounted many Auxiliary accomplishments over the past year, including the assist by the 140 men and women of the Auxiliary who supported the FEMA effort in Florida after the hurricanes. “Wow,” he exclaimed, “you do it all!”

“Sir, I relieve you,” said NACO Gene Seibert, “Sir, I stand relieved,” said NIPCO Bill Edgerton, all under the watchful eye of Admiral Thomas Collins, Commandant of the Coast Guard and Captain Barry Smith, Chief Director of Auxiliary.

Saying these words, in the long tradition of Coast Guard Changes of Command and Watch, the leadership of the Coast Guard Auxiliary passed to the new National Bridge.

Taking leave of his post, COMO Edgerton thanked the men and women of the Auxiliary for their service. “Your service to the nation is to be commended,” he said.

Admiral Collins and Chief Director of Auxiliary, Captain Barry Smith installed the incoming National Directorate Commodores, NADCO Fred Gates, NADCO Helmut Hertle and NADCO Warren McAdams. The prologue and oath they used are the same as is used in every Auxiliary change of watch; Flotilla, Division and District. The National Commodore, Vice Commodore and Area Commodores were installed at the National Conference in California this past September.

Taking over the helm, COMO Seibert said he was looking forward to the challenges of the coming two years. “I am confident of the futures successes of the Auxiliary,” he said.

There were many Auxiliarists from the Washington, D.C. area in the audience. Witnessing the National installation for his first time, James Jennings, Flotilla Commander, Flotilla 22, D5-SR, said, “This was a very inspiring ceremony. I feel energized and ready to serve the Auxiliary to the fullest.”

Following the closing benediction by Captain Douglass, the official party retired and the change of watch was over.