The Tribute to the Eighth Coast Guard District was held on March 8 at the National WWII Museum and was attended by Coast Guard members, maritime and defense industry leaders, and supporters of the Coast Guard.

The Coast Guard Foundation recognized Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans and their search and rescue partners for the lifesaving medical evacuations they perform to save mariners and passengers in the Gulf of Mexico. From rescuing injured and ill patients from oil rigs, commercial ships, fishing vessels and recreational boats, medevacs frequently take helicopter crews far from shore, often in poor weather, to conduct difficult hoisting operations from a variety of vessels that present unique challenges. 

The rescue of a passenger from the cruise ship Carnival Dream in April 2023 brings into sharp focus the difficulty and risks inherent in this important work. Watch more about this dangerous and inspiring rescue in the video below.

Also honored was Walter E. Blessey, Jr. Blessey currently serves as the chairman of Blessey Marine Services. Since founding Blessey Enterprises in 1978, he has grown the Blessey Marine family of companies into one of the most respected liquid cargo operators in the inland marine transportation industry. Blessey Marine operates 85 towboats and 180 tank barges that service major petroleum and petrochemical companies.

Blessey is a recognized leader in the inland marine industry and served on the board of directors and executive committee of the American Waterways Operators. He is also a trustee emeritus of the Coast Guard Foundation Board of Trustees. During his tenure on the foundation’s board, he provided strategic governance and support during a key period in its history.

The Commandant of the Coast Guard Admiral Linda Fagan, Vice Commandant Admiral Steve Poulin, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Heath Jones, and other national and regional leaders attended, as did Coast Guard members from throughout the Gulf Coast. 

The keynote speaker, Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Linda Fagan, spoke about the relevance of both the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Foundation community. “Our reach is global, and the demand for the United Stares Coast Guard has never been greater and it continues to rise in demand,” said Fagan.

“And as that occurs, your support, the support you provide for our workforce, our families, becomes even more critical. And so the work that you’ve done to support Coast Guard children to ensure activities outside of school, the benefits your providing spouses, all you do to support Coast Guard families, we could not do what we need to do to support the American public, without the support you provide as a Coast Guard Foundation.

“Whether it’s in times of disaster with disaster relief, or just the challenges that families face day in and day out, as they try to get their children educated, you are critical to their support and I thank you for it.”

The Coast Guard Foundation is grateful for dinner sponsor Bollinger Shipyards, major sponsors AccuTRANS, Birdon, Blessey Marine Services Inc., Cheniere Energy, Hornbeck Offshore, and all those sponsoring and attending for their support, which funds programs in the region and nationwide. 

Since 1994 the event has raised nearly $13 million for programs that support Coast Guard members.

Title Image: Coast Guard Lieutenant Stephen Ratasky, Petty Officer 2nd Class Corey Bridges, and Lieutenant Josoph Neff accept the 2024 Coast Guard Foundation Award on behalf of Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans and their partners at the Tribute to the Eighth Coast Guard District event in New Orleans, March 8.