The Coast Guard Foundation Partnered with City Cruises in Chicago to Deliver an Unforgettable Salute to the United States Coast Guard

The Coast Guard Foundation’s Salute to the Coast Guard in Chicago, Illinois, was hosted for the very first time by an incredible partner. City Cruises in Chicago hosted the event on their ship Spirit of Chicago out of Navy Pier. 

City Cruises is a premier, hospitality-focused operator of on-water dining and sightseeing experiences operating under the City Experiences portfolio. Spanning major urban waterfronts across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom—including iconic locations like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, London, and Toronto—City Cruises offers distinctive public dining cruises, sightseeing tours, private charters, and vital ferry services. 

“The Coast Guard Foundation is proud to launch this inaugural Great Lakes Region Maritime Salutes the Coast Guard event in Chicago alongside City Cruises” shared Susan Ludwig, Coast Guard Foundation President. “This gathering is an opportunity to recognize the extraordinary service of Coast Guard members across the Great Lakes and to bring together supporters who share a commitment to those who protect our waterways, safeguard our communities and serve our nation every day.”  

The event was open to the public with online ticket sales, encouraging everyone to join the maritime community in a truly wonderful tribute to the service of Coast Guard members. With 20 different event sponsors, the Great Lakes District felt the gratitude of its community. 

The U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes District handles all Coast Guard operations throughout the five Great Lakes, the Saint Lawrence Seaway and parts of the surrounding states including 6,700 miles of shoreline and 1,500 miles of the international border with Canada. The 6,000 active-duty, reserve, civilian, and auxiliary men and women who make up the U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes deliver multi-mission services in search and rescue, maritime safety and security, environmental protection, maritime law enforcement, AIDS to navigation, and icebreaking. 

During the evening’s proceedings, it was announced that the Coast Guard of the Great Lakes District received a letter of resolution from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, sponsored by the Board of Commissioners, to honor the Coast Guard and the Great Lakes maritime community, for their concerted efforts to safeguard the Great Lakes. The resolution cites several different ways the Coast Guard work with their community to protect the waterways and its residents. 

The Foundation extends the deepest gratitude to the sponsors who support the continued aid efforts for Coast Guard men, women, and their families. Their support is crucial to the continued aid that the Coast Guard Foundation provides the Coast Guard and its dedicated families. 

Commandant Sponsor:

• City Cruises

Admiral Sponsors:

• Wendella
• Captain Dave's Foundation

Captain Sponsors:

• Chicago Shipmasters
• Hoffman Marine
• Shoreline Sightseeing
• Altorfer/ CAT
• First Lady
• Burger Boats
• Navy Pier

Dessert Sponsor:

• Oberweis Ice Cream

Mate Sponsors:

• Northern Marine
• ABT
• Al Warren
• Interstate Power Systems

Deckhand Sponsors:

• Durkin Electric
• Illinois Port District
• Lakes and Rivers Contracting
• Knot My Boat Charters
• Chicago Harbor Safety Committee