On August 18th, a ceremony in Houston was opened by the posting of the flags by a combined field operations and Border Patrol honor guard. The new field operations flag was carried along with the air and marine and Border Patrol flags. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Import Specialist Paul Kachinovas.

Director of Field Operations, Houston, Jeffery O. Baldwin, Sr., welcomed the more than 300 employees representing the offices of field operations, air and marine, Border Patrol, international trade, chief counsel, information and technology, internal affairs, human resources management, and equal employment opportunity from work locations in Houston, Dallas, Freeport and Port Arthur, Texas.

DFO Baldwin then welcomed and introduced Deputy Commissioner Ahern.

The Deputy Commissioner spoke of the dedication CBP employees have demonstrated and the common mission among the legacy agency’s that merged—to never have a terrorist attack on U.S. soil again. Deputy Commissioner Ahern said that we need to strengthen our operational edge, make sure a government in transition is not exploited, and we need to maintain our focus and mitigate threats.

The Deputy Commissioner stressed the need to maintain focus on the mission, to not be distracted, and to avoid complacency. He recognized that all components add value to the CBP mission, from frontline officers and agents to the mission support personnel that work behind the scenes.

The ceremony concluded with time in service awards for 15 CBP employees, who were individually recognized by the Deputy Commissioner.

Later in the day, Deputy Commissioner Ahern traveled to Brownsville, Texas and congratulated officers and staff for their exemplary efforts in the days prior and after Hurricane Dolly.

The ceremony in Brownsville was opened by the posting of colors and flags by a combined Field Operations and Border Patrol honor guard. The new field operations flag was carried along with the DHS, air and marine, Customs and Border Protection and Border Patrol flags. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Entry Specialist Gloria Ayala.

Master of Ceremony Leticia Moran, director of field operations, Laredo, welcomed the eclectic group of employees representing the offices of field operations, chief counsel, information and technology, Border Patrol, internal affairs, as well as the Hidalgo, Pharr, Progreso, Rio Grande and Roma ports of entry.

DFO Moran highlighted local accomplishments welcomed and introduced Deputy Commissioner Ahern.

The Deputy Commissioner praised the dedication CBP employees have demonstrated and the common mission among the legacy agency’s that merged, his inspirational speech noted never having a terrorist attack on U.S. soil again and expressed the call for our strengthened operational edge, making sure a government in transition is not exploited.

The Deputy Commissioner said "I do not know how many people can say I protected the country today, but I know 51,000 that can say that. Thank you for the work you do each and everyday, it is in large part because of you that we have not had another attack since 9-11. I would ask that each of you double your efforts in the next few months, with the coming of the elections we need to continue to keep them at bay".

The ceremony concluded with time in service awards for 22 CBP employees. The time in service awards ranged from 20 years in service to a CBP officer with 35 years in service, the recipients were individually recognized by the Deputy Commissioner.

Following the ceremony, the Deputy Commissioner spent time shaking hands answering questions and mingling with officers and staff before heading out to for a tour of the Rio Grande-River Levee at Brownsville.