I received this comment on my "200th blog" post. I will be following...
Good afternoon Admiral Allen,
Congratulations on your 200th blog! I found the topics brought up by yourself, your guest posts, and the comments attached to be both interesting and enlightening.
I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to visit the National Strike Force blog.
Our blog has posts that address various NSF training and outreach efforts, including a post on the F/V MarGun lightering activities in Alaska. In trying to take advantage of the ever-growing social media venues, we are making a concerted effort to get more stories out featuring NSF members in action.
In our recently published 2008 Year in Review, I spoke of one of my mentors, Command Sergeant Major USArmy (retired) Donald Simmons, who inspired me through his dedication to his North Carolina Vietnam Veterans group. Just recently he was in Beckley WV at a veterans' group meeting when he encountered Coast Guard members in uniform. He mentioned that he was featured in a recent Coast Guard magazine and asked them if they knew of me. As it turned out, the Coast Guard members were actually National Strike Force members who were conducting hazardous material response training at the Tunnel complex, which the Atlantic Strike Team was completing and the Gulf Strike Team is presently going through. CSM Simmons and his veteran counterparts shared stories and fellowship with our members for several hours, as well as took many photos. CSM Simmons has contacted all of his friends and relatives in North Carolina, Connecticut and Texas and told them how the Coast Guard members made him and his veterans group feel special.
That story will be posted on an upcoming NSF blog.
I am hopeful that you will enjoy our blog, make it part of your regular blog visits and even add it to your list of blog favorites.
Thanks again for your proactive and inspirational leadership.
Semper NSF!
Semper DOG!!
Semper Paratus!!!
Very Respectfully,
Roderick E. Walker
Captain, US Coast Guard
Commander, National Strike Force
