National Organization
Message From Association President

Cliff Meeks (Corey ’02)
December 09, 2001

On Parents' Weekend this past September I was elected President of the USCGA Parents' Association. It is an honor to be your President. I will attempt to do my very best in representing you, parents and friends of the Academy.

Please feel free to make contact with me and share your views on how we can be an association that is proactive in supporting the cadets.

I had the opportunity to speak to Captain Heyl and I asked him what the Parents' Association could do to assist the Academy. He answered by saying that he would like us to share with the new parents what cadet life is like. He reminded me that each parent has the responsibility to support the decisions that their cadet makes. Captain Heyl would like us to enhance the cadets' experience at the Academy. He admitted that "raising money" was also important.

We must be involved in fund raising. We must be committed to finding ways of motivating those who have already given, to give to give more, and encouraging those who did not give anything to consider giving something. Vice President Frank Garcia is heading up the fund raising activies in the coming year. Feel free to make contact with him and share your ideas as to how we can all share in this venture.

Our ByLaws state that we exist for the purpose of supporting the US Coast Guard Academy and its Corp of Cadets. We also have the opportunity to expand the public understanding and awareness of the Academy. Everyone has the chance to go out and encourage the outstanding young men and women in our high and prep schools to apply for an appointment to the USCGA. These are the same young leaders that are being recruited by the other academies. Therefore, each of us should work towards enhancing the Coast Guard Academy's image, so we can continue to receive our share of these outstanding young people.

These are our goals. They are all attainable. With your support, the Parents' Association can be the conduit for supporting, encouraging, assisting, promoting, and communicating the values, and ideas that make the United States Coast Guard Academy special.

Cliff Meeks

USCGA Parents Association