Coast Guard public affairs director to address NPC's American Legion Post, May 29

Rear Adm. Melissa Bert, director of governmental and public affairs for the U.S. Coast Guard, will speak at a luncheon meeting of the National Press Club's American Legion Post 20 at noon on 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 will discuss Coast Guard public affairs and other priorities and challenges.

Bert graduated from the Coast Guard Academy and George Washington University Law School. Prior to her current assignment, she served as deputy director of operations for the U.S. Northern Command, which is responsible for homeland defense. Other previous assignments included 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 in November 1919 at the suggestion of famed World War I Gen. John Pershing. After the war Pershing was serving in Washington and was an associate member of the Club. He was instrumental in founding the American Legion.