Tuesday, May 18, 2010

D7 Change of Command


Coast Guard's Seventh District held a time-honored ritual and celebration last week - the Change of Command. RADM Bill Baumgartner relieved RADM R. Steve Branham as the District's Commanding Officer. Upon his relief, RADM Branham retired from the Coast Guard, leaving a legacy of 37 years' service to our nation. In addition, as he finished his tour of duty, RADM Branham was awarded the Coast Guard's Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of the high level of achievement the District enjoyed under his command.

Quite significantly, RADM Branham honored the 5700 members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Seventh District by having Auxiliarists make up one third of the honor platoon at his Change of Command. This was a clear demonstration of his commitment to his Auxiliarists to the world and to his relieving officer, RADM Baumgartner.