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Recap of the 2017 Tribute to the Seventh Coast Guard District

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by Becky Ketterhagen
November 30, 2017

The Coast Guard Foundation and its supporters gathered on November 16, 2017, to honor those serving in the Coast Guard’s Seventh District who responded to historic hurricanes and natural disasters during in the last year. In all, the U.S. Coast Guard saved 11,000 lives and over 1,500 pets during Hurricanes Harvey, Maria, and Irma.

More than 200 flights were performed by Coast Guard Seventh District heavy lift aircraft bringing in excess of 2.5 million pounds of supplies and assistance to affected areas. More than 20 Coast Guard cutters homeported in the district responded supporting the delivery of generators, medical supplies, food and water, and repairing critical water pumps in isolated regions like Vieques, Puerto Rico.

“On behalf of the men and women of the seventh Coast Guard District, thank you to the Coast Guard Foundation and supporters,” said Commander of the Seventh District RADM Peter J. Brown accepting the Coast Guard Foundation Award. “It really is humbling to remember the work that was done throughout this hurricane season.

“I really appreciate the work done by our uniformed members, but also our civilian employees, Reservists, and Auxiliary members.”

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The event also honored Rick Sasso, chairman of MSC Cruises North America, for his support of the Coast Guard Foundation and overseeing a company whose policies greatly align with many of the core values of the Coast Guard: safety, health, and environmental protection. The evening’s MC was author, motivational speaker, and former NFL football player Reggie Rivers.

Commandant of the Coast Guard ADM Paul F. Zukunft served as the evening’s keynote. “What is unique about Hurricane Harvey, Irma, and Maria - this is where the Coast Guard lives. These are our homes, we don’t surge there and leave at the end of the recovery, this is where we make our homes,” said ADM Zukunft. “And this is where the Coast Guard Foundation stepped up, immediately $475,000 was donated to help our families. What you do matters, and it matters to our people.”

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