Coast Guard public affairs director plans address to NPC's American Legion Post, today

Rear Admiral Melissa Bert, director of governmental and public affairs for the U.S. Coast Guard, is slated to be the guest speaker at a luncheon meeting of the National Press Club's American Legion Post 20 at noon today (Wednesday, May 29) in the McClendon Room.

The speaker portion of the meeting is open to all Club members.

Bert is responsible for engagement with the media, Congress and inter-governmental entities. She plans to discuss Coast Guard public affairs and other priorities and challenges She is a graduate of the Coast Guard Academy and George Washington Law School. Prior to her current assignment, she was Deputy Director of Operations for the U.S. Northern Command, which is responsible for homeland defense. Her other previous assignments include chief of staff for the Coast Guard's Seventh District and chief of the Coast Guard's Maritime and International Law Office.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Post 20 and the American Legion. The post was founded at the suggestion of famed World War I General John Pershing and received its charter on Nov. 19, 1919. After the war, Pershing was serving in Washington and was an associate member of the Club. He was instrumental in founding the American Legion in 1919.