Coast Guard Rear Adm. Michael McAllister, 17th District commander, addresses an audience during a Coast Guard City renewal proclamation in Sitka, Alaska, Oct. 18, 2017. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Shawn Eggert.
Juneau, Alaska — The Coast Guard renewed the city of Sitka’s Coast Guard City designation during Alaska Day festivities Wednesday.
Rear Adm. Michael McAllister, Coast Guard 17th District commander, presided over the renewal proclamation ceremony which was attended by Sen. Burt Stedman (R-Sitka), Sitka Mayor Matthew Hunter, Sitka Municipal Administrator Keith Brady and Capt. William Lewin, Air Station Sitka commander.
2017 marks Sitka’s 40th year as host to Coast Guard Air Station Sitka and the Coast Guard’s 150th year of service to Alaska. Sitka first became a Coast Guard City Feb. 14, 2011, but it was the Revenue Cutter Service, a forerunner of today’s modern Coast Guard, that transported the first federal officials to Sitka for the formal transfer of proprietorship Oct. 18, 1867.
“We’ve got a really good track record of 150 years of service to Alaska, and one of the places we really enjoy serving is Sitka, Alaska,” said McAllister. “I’m honored to represent the Commandant of the Coast Guard in presenting the renewal of Sitka as a Coast Guard City. The citizens of Sitka really integrate Coast Guard personnel into their community, and we’re grateful for their hospitality and support.”
The Coast Guard City program was established by the United States Congress in 1998 to recognize cities where military assets of the United States Coast Guard are located and which demonstrate support to Coast Guard personnel stationed there. Designation as a Coast Guard City is made by the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard on advice of a review board and upon application by a municipal government. Designation as a Coast Guard City is for a five-year period, but can be renewed indefinitely.
