OAK BROOK, Ill. -- Adm. Thad Allen, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, speaks to a VIP attendee at an All Hand's Reception at the Auxiliary National Conferenece 2009 at the Oak Brook Hills Marriot Resort Saturday, Aug. 30, 2009. The commandant presented several awards during the evening for the Commodore's Banquet at the formal event of the assembly of the national directors of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. (U.S. Coast Guard photo/by Petty Officer 2nd Class Bill Colclough)