Event Highlights
2009 Special Events Pay Tribute to Coast Guard Heroes Across the Country
The Coast Guard Foundation celebrated the first half of its 40th anniversary year with events in Honolulu, New Orleans, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
The Foundation held its Tribute to the 14th District of the United States Coast Guard on March 12 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The event, held again at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa, welcomed over 500 guests, including more than 150 members of the United States Coast Guard. The evening featured speakers Secretary Norman Mineta, Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Vice Admiral Vivien Crea, Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard, Rear Admiral Manson Brown, 14th Coast Guard District Commander and Lee Webber, President and Publisher of The Honolulu Advertiser and dinner chairman. Honored that night were members Air Station Barber’s Point who died in the line of duty in a tragic helicopter accident in September 2008.
On April 3, the Guardian of the Heartland tribute dinner took place in New Orleans, Louisiana. That evening, the Foundation honored each sector and air station within the Eighth Coast Guard District for their extraordinary efforts in 2008. Each unit responded to one or more significant events within its area of operation in 2008, from two major flood events in the Midwest to a major oil spill in the heart of New Orleans, to tropical storms and hurricanes including Guzstav and Ike. Featured speakers that evening were Rear Admiral Joel Whitehead, outgoing Commander of the Eighth District and Vice Admiral Vivien Crea, Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. The event was again co-sponsored by Coast Guard Foundation Directors Otto Candies and Donald “Boysie” Bollinger, who also acted as emcee for the evening’s festivities.
This year’s Pacific Northwest Awards Dinner was held in Seattle, Washington on May 13 at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center. At the event, the Foundation presented the Heroic Action Award to the Crew of MLB 47207 from Station Cape Disappointment; the Unit Award for Mission Excellence to Station Siuslaw River and the Individual Excellence Award to MK1 Kenneth Lamph out of Station Siuslaw River. Featured speakers included Rear Admiral John Currier, Thirteenth Coast Guard District Commander, Rear Admiral Jody Breckenridge, incoming Pacific Area Commander and Coast Guard Foundation Trustee and dinner chairman Cary Swasand. The event also included tours of Coast Guard assets and a Search and Rescue demonstration.
The 5th Annual Tribute to the United States Coast Guard in Our Nation’s Capital dinner was held on June 18 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano was the Keynote Speaker, and LTGEN John Allen, USMC, the Deputy Commander of U.S Central Command, as a guest speaker. The event marked the kickoff of the Foundation’s “Are You One in a Million?” public relations campaign and featured guest speaker and dinner chair Linda Bean, whose son was rescued by the Coast Guard in 1995.
The Pacific Area Awards Dinner took place on the Coast Guard’s birthday-- August 4, 2009 -- in San Francisco. James Gabbert, radio and television broadcast legend served as master of ceremonies; Ron Landmann, former customs representative and law enforcement trainer, shared his rescue story and how his experience as “one in a million” affected his life. The Foundation honored members of the Coast Guard for heroism as well as personal and unit excellence. The crew of CG6037 of Sector San Diego received the ADM Chester R. Bender Award for heroism. The ADM John B. Hayes Award for unit excellence was presented to the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Narwhal. Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew Mahaffey, a marine science technician stationed at Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach, received the ADM James S. Gracey Award for professional achievements.
2008 Event Highlights
The 15th Annual Tribute to the Seventh District Coast Guard was held for the first time in St. Petersburg, Florida at the historic Renaissance Vinoy on November 5, 2008. The event featured emcee Dick Crippen, Senior Advisor for the Tampa Bay Rays, speakers RADM Steve Branham, Commander of the Seventh District, the Mayor of St. Petersburg, Rick Baker and ADM Thad Allen, Commandant. Recognized that evening were Sector Key West and CGC JOSHUA APPLEBY with the Superior Performance of Duty Award and The District Seven NOEL Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief Team, consisting of Sector San Juan, Air Stations Borinquen, Miami, and Clearwater, and the D7 In-Country Coordination Team, with the Team Coordination Award. The Annual Tribute was Co-Chaired this year by the Honorable Mel Sembler, former U. S. Ambassador, and Representative C.W. Bill Young of Florida’s 10th Congressional District.
The 28th Annual Salute to the United States Coast Guard, held in New York City every year, took place at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum on October 16, 2008. Guests of the dinner were treated to spectacular city and harbor views on their trips to and from the national monument. The Foundation presented the Award for Heroism to CG6566, CG6007 and the CGC MUNRO for their involvement in the F/V Alaska Ranger search and rescue operation, considered one of the largest, most complicated rescues in Alaska history. The Unit Award for Superior Performance was awarded to Station Saginaw River personnel for their outstanding professionalism and diligence in carrying out the Coast Guard’s life saving mission in an area that is compounded by snowstorms, extreme temperatures and ever-changing conditions on the ice. Other highlights of the evening include the presentation of the Coast Guard’s Distinguished Public Service award to the Foundation’s Chairman, Ross Roeder, and closing remarks by the Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant.
The Alaska Awards Dinner held in Anchorage on August 14 was co-chaired by John Winther of Prowler Fisheries and Jim McManus of Trident Seafoods Corporation. The event honored Air Station Kodiak with the Mission Excellence Award, the crew of CGNR 6566 with the Heroic Action Award and HS1 Jeffrey Schaffnit with the Individual Excellence Award.
The Tribute to the Coast Guard in Our Nation’s Capital, held on June 10 at the National Building Museum, featured a tribute to the late G. William Miller and his wife, Ariadna. Mr. Miller was a founding director of the Coast Guard Foundation and later served as Secretary of the Treasury. In recognition of his long-standing support of the Foundation, and in appreciation of Mrs. Miller’s continuing support, the Foundation presented the Rescuer Award in their honor. Another highlight of the evening was keynote speaker Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen of the United States Navy .DC photo: cwo...-065: l to r, Admiral James Gracey, USCG (Ret.) escorts Mrs. Ariadna Miller as she receives the Coast Guard Foundation Rescuer Award from Foundation president Anne Brengle.
The 23rd Annual Pacific Area Awards Dinner, held annually in San Francisco on May 2, honored an amazing group of Coast Guard crews and individuals. The Admiral John B. Hayes Award for Unit Excellence was presented to Group/Air Station Astoria, Aids to Navigation Team Astoria and Station Tillamook. The Admiral James S. Gracey Award for Professional Excellence was awarded to BMC Leigh W. Johannsen of Group/Air Station North Bend and The Admiral Chester R. Bender Award for Heroism was presented to the crew of CGNR 6525 from Air Station Kodiak.
The Guardian of the Heartland Dinner, held on April 11 in New Orleans paid tribute to the Eighth District Coast Guard and honored crews from Air Station Houston, Sector Upper Mississippi River, Air Station New Orleans and Station Venice. The evening featured remarks by the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard, Vice Admiral Vivien Crea.
The Tribute to the 14th Coast Guard District in Honolulu was held on March 13. Dinner chair Mar Labrador, Vice President and General Manager of the Hawaii and Micronesia Division of Horizon Lines, LLC, hosted over 650 guests at the beautiful Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa.
Three annual golf tournaments held in Washington, D.C., Cypress, California and Stonington, Connecticut furthered the Foundation’s scholarship programs by raising funds to assist dependents of enlisted personnel attend college.
The Coast Guard Foundation celebrated the first half of its 40th anniversary year with events in Honolulu, New Orleans, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
The Foundation held its Tribute to the 14th District of the United States Coast Guard on March 12 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The event, held again at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa, welcomed over 500 guests, including more than 150 members of the United States Coast Guard. The evening featured speakers Secretary Norman Mineta, Former U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Vice Admiral Vivien Crea, Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard, Rear Admiral Manson Brown, 14th Coast Guard District Commander and Lee Webber, President and Publisher of The Honolulu Advertiser and dinner chairman. Honored that night were members Air Station Barber’s Point who died in the line of duty in a tragic helicopter accident in September 2008.
On April 3, the Guardian of the Heartland tribute dinner took place in New Orleans, Louisiana. That evening, the Foundation honored each sector and air station within the Eighth Coast Guard District for their extraordinary efforts in 2008. Each unit responded to one or more significant events within its area of operation in 2008, from two major flood events in the Midwest to a major oil spill in the heart of New Orleans, to tropical storms and hurricanes including Guzstav and Ike. Featured speakers that evening were Rear Admiral Joel Whitehead, outgoing Commander of the Eighth District and Vice Admiral Vivien Crea, Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. The event was again co-sponsored by Coast Guard Foundation Directors Otto Candies and Donald “Boysie” Bollinger, who also acted as emcee for the evening’s festivities.This year’s Pacific Northwest Awards Dinner was held in Seattle, Washington on May 13 at the Bell Harbor International Conference Center. At the event, the Foundation presented the Heroic Action Award to the Crew of MLB 47207 from Station Cape Disappointment; the Unit Award for Mission Excellence to Station Siuslaw River and the Individual Excellence Award to MK1 Kenneth Lamph out of Station Siuslaw River. Featured speakers included Rear Admiral John Currier, Thirteenth Coast Guard District Commander, Rear Admiral Jody Breckenridge, incoming Pacific Area Commander and Coast Guard Foundation Trustee and dinner chairman Cary Swasand. The event also included tours of Coast Guard assets and a Search and Rescue demonstration. The 5th Annual Tribute to the United States Coast Guard in Our Nation’s Capital dinner was held on June 18 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano was the Keynote Speaker, and LTGEN John Allen, USMC, the Deputy Commander of U.S Central Command, as a guest speaker. The event marked the kickoff of the Foundation’s “Are You One in a Million?” public relations campaign and featured guest speaker and dinner chair Linda Bean, whose son was rescued by the Coast Guard in 1995. The Pacific Area Awards Dinner took place on the Coast Guard’s birthday-- August 4, 2009 -- in San Francisco. James Gabbert, radio and television broadcast legend served as master of ceremonies; Ron Landmann, former customs representative and law enforcement trainer, shared his rescue story and how his experience as “one in a million” affected his life. The Foundation honored members of the Coast Guard for heroism as well as personal and unit excellence. The crew of CG6037 of Sector San Diego received the ADM Chester R. Bender Award for heroism. The ADM John B. Hayes Award for unit excellence was presented to the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Narwhal. Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew Mahaffey, a marine science technician stationed at Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach, received the ADM James S. Gracey Award for professional achievements.
2008 Event Highlights
The 15th Annual Tribute to the Seventh District Coast Guard was held for the first time in St. Petersburg, Florida at the historic Renaissance Vinoy on November 5, 2008. The event featured emcee Dick Crippen, Senior Advisor for the Tampa Bay Rays, speakers RADM Steve Branham, Commander of the Seventh District, the Mayor of St. Petersburg, Rick Baker and ADM Thad Allen, Commandant. Recognized that evening were Sector Key West and CGC JOSHUA APPLEBY with the Superior Performance of Duty Award and The District Seven NOEL Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief Team, consisting of Sector San Juan, Air Stations Borinquen, Miami, and Clearwater, and the D7 In-Country Coordination Team, with the Team Coordination Award. The Annual Tribute was Co-Chaired this year by the Honorable Mel Sembler, former U. S. Ambassador, and Representative C.W. Bill Young of Florida’s 10th Congressional District. The 28th Annual Salute to the United States Coast Guard, held in New York City every year, took place at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum on October 16, 2008. Guests of the dinner were treated to spectacular city and harbor views on their trips to and from the national monument. The Foundation presented the Award for Heroism to CG6566, CG6007 and the CGC MUNRO for their involvement in the F/V Alaska Ranger search and rescue operation, considered one of the largest, most complicated rescues in Alaska history. The Unit Award for Superior Performance was awarded to Station Saginaw River personnel for their outstanding professionalism and diligence in carrying out the Coast Guard’s life saving mission in an area that is compounded by snowstorms, extreme temperatures and ever-changing conditions on the ice. Other highlights of the evening include the presentation of the Coast Guard’s Distinguished Public Service award to the Foundation’s Chairman, Ross Roeder, and closing remarks by the Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant. The Alaska Awards Dinner held in Anchorage on August 14 was co-chaired by John Winther of Prowler Fisheries and Jim McManus of Trident Seafoods Corporation. The event honored Air Station Kodiak with the Mission Excellence Award, the crew of CGNR 6566 with the Heroic Action Award and HS1 Jeffrey Schaffnit with the Individual Excellence Award. The Tribute to the Coast Guard in Our Nation’s Capital, held on June 10 at the National Building Museum, featured a tribute to the late G. William Miller and his wife, Ariadna. Mr. Miller was a founding director of the Coast Guard Foundation and later served as Secretary of the Treasury. In recognition of his long-standing support of the Foundation, and in appreciation of Mrs. Miller’s continuing support, the Foundation presented the Rescuer Award in their honor. Another highlight of the evening was keynote speaker Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen of the United States Navy .DC photo: cwo...-065: l to r, Admiral James Gracey, USCG (Ret.) escorts Mrs. Ariadna Miller as she receives the Coast Guard Foundation Rescuer Award from Foundation president Anne Brengle. The 23rd Annual Pacific Area Awards Dinner, held annually in San Francisco on May 2, honored an amazing group of Coast Guard crews and individuals. The Admiral John B. Hayes Award for Unit Excellence was presented to Group/Air Station Astoria, Aids to Navigation Team Astoria and Station Tillamook. The Admiral James S. Gracey Award for Professional Excellence was awarded to BMC Leigh W. Johannsen of Group/Air Station North Bend and The Admiral Chester R. Bender Award for Heroism was presented to the crew of CGNR 6525 from Air Station Kodiak.
The Guardian of the Heartland Dinner, held on April 11 in New Orleans paid tribute to the Eighth District Coast Guard and honored crews from Air Station Houston, Sector Upper Mississippi River, Air Station New Orleans and Station Venice. The evening featured remarks by the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard, Vice Admiral Vivien Crea. The Tribute to the 14th Coast Guard District in Honolulu was held on March 13. Dinner chair Mar Labrador, Vice President and General Manager of the Hawaii and Micronesia Division of Horizon Lines, LLC, hosted over 650 guests at the beautiful Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa.
Three annual golf tournaments held in Washington, D.C., Cypress, California and Stonington, Connecticut furthered the Foundation’s scholarship programs by raising funds to assist dependents of enlisted personnel attend college.
