The Naval Institute was honored by a recent visit from Australia's Chief of Navy Vice Admiral David J. Shackleton, right, a Naval Institute member since 1989. His interview in Beach Hall discussing Australia's contribution to the war on terrorism and many other issues will be published in the January Proceedings. Tom Marfiak is at left.
The war on terrorism continues. As our political and military leaders have told us from the beginning, it is likely to be a long campaign. We here at the Naval Institute will continue to dedicate Proceedings pages to bring to you the best new thinking, insights, and perspectives into the various aspects-strategic, tactical, technical, and policy-related-of this conflict.
This month we pay tribute to the Coast Guard, which proved so true to its motto-Semper Paratus-on 11 September and in all the weeks following. In November's Proceedings, retired Coast Guard Captain Joe Convoy wrote that, "despite the lack of a national homeland security strategy, the Coast Guard sprang into action, doing whatever needed to be done." In this month's issue, Naval Institute Coast Guard Essay Contest winners look at the best way to stop go-fasts, sleep deprivation, and a valiant rescue-at-sea. Next year's Coast Guard focus will be published in the Coast Guard's birthday month of August.
To include many of the contributions on the terrorism war, we added pages to Proceedings. So that more voices on more subjects can be published, our Naval Institute Foundation recently launched the Signature Club. This group is made up of individuals who contribute funds to add magazine signatures-read pages-to Proceedings. They are members so dedicated to our open forum that they step up to the plate to increase the information, analysis, and commentary we can bring to you. Please contact our development director Kirk McAlexander (410-295-1056) to discuss this and other opportunities to support the fundamental missions of the Naval Institute.
Also with this issue we are mailing ballots to all Naval Institute members asking you to cast votes for the Naval Institute's Board of Directors. Nominating Committee Chair Rear Admiral Dan Bowler and his team-Rear Admiral Jay Cohen, Commander Ward Carroll, and recorder Commander Franklin Fries-assembled a stellar slate from which to choose. We need to have your vote in hand no later than 4 March 2002.
Next month, we will co-sponsor with AFCEA our 12th West Exposition and Symposium in San Diego. This three-- day event continues to attract great speakers and panelists and the newest innovations in the nation's defense and communications companies. Please join us. (See facing page for program and registration details.)
All members should have received the Naval Institute holiday catalog featuring ideal gift books-some signed by the authors-photos, and certificates. We've mailed a follow-up postcard, too, to let you know that if you choose to give a gift membership, which includes Proceedings, or a subscription to Naval History, we will send your gift recipient a free book. When you visit the Web site, click on "Gift membership" or "Gift Naval History subscription" for details. Especially now, when all of us hunger for more depth than we find in the evening news, gift memberships or subscriptions for your family, colleagues, and friends should be greatly appreciated. Let your gift this year be history, insight, and perspective.
We are all aware of the new demands placed on our servicemen and women, but there will come a day when we return to the pre-11 September clashes over budgets, tactics, leadership, and philosophy. We are there for you now, and we will be there when this crisis has passed. On behalf of the entire staff and board members of the Naval Institute, we wish you a splendid holiday season.