The Coast Guard Foundation tackles the toughest challenges confronting our heroes. We strengthen the Coast Guard community and service by being there for members and their families, where and when they need it the most.
Our scholarships are one of the ways we thank our brave men and women for their steadfast service to our nation, while also ensuring their family members can afford to reach their higher education dreams.
The Coast Guard Foundation tackles the toughest challenges confronting our heroes. We strengthen the Coast Guard community and service by being there for members and their families, where and when they need it the most.
Our regional and national events bring together people from all across the country to pay tribute to the brave men and women who serve in the United States Coast Guard.
Each year, thousands of people participate in road races, memorial walks, and other types of fitness events to pay tribute to the lost members of the service.
The Texas Salutes the Coast Guard event honored local members and recognized them for two heroic rescues and protecting the Port of Houston in 2023.
by Ron LaBrec
November 13, 2023
Held at the Marriot Marquis Houston on Nov. 8, 2023, the event raised more than $758,000 for Coast Guard Foundation programs that support members and families nationwide.
Christopher J. Wiernicki, ABS Chairman and CEO, speaks at the Coast Guard Foundation's Texas Salutes the Coast Guard event on Nov. 8, 2023, in Houston. Wiernicki accepted an award on behalf of ABS.
ABS Chairman and CEO Chris Wiernicki accepted an award on behalf of ABS’s contributions to maritime safety and prosperity and its more than $1 million in support to the Coast Guard Foundation.
"As geopolitical tensions make for more uncertain seas and technology creates a dynamic new risk environment for us all to navigate, the deep understanding and shared sense of mission between ABS and the Coast Guard is only going to become more fundamental to our continued security," said Wiernicki during his comments.
“Success is a team sport. Safety is a shared responsibility and the mantra of our industry, and people are the real heroes. I believe that together, and only together, we can deliver a modern U.S. waterborne transportation system and safer, cleaner seas for all."
Admiral Linda Fagan, Commandant of the Coast Guard, provided the keynote address, where she thanked attendees for supporting Coast Guard Foundation programs.
"Every day our crews do difficult work," said Fagan. "We’re always read to protect, defend, and save the people we serve. But our Coast Guard families serve alongside us. We recruit individuals but we retain families. So the work you do as the Coast Guard Foundation is so critical, not just to supporting our members but to supporting their families as well."
Coast Guard Capt. Keith Donohue, commander of Sector Houston-Galveston recognizes Coast Guard members and maritime partners operating in the Houston area at the Coast Guard Foundation's Texas Salutes the Coast Guard event on Nov. 8, 2023, in Houston.
The Coast Guard Foundation would like to thank dinner sponsor, Kirby Corporation, and major sponsors, ABS, Cheniere Energy, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and Excelerate Energy for their generosity, as well as the support of all the sponsors and attendees that made the event possible.
Members of the U.S. Coast Guard Band Brass Quintet perform at the Coast Guard Foundation's Texas Salutes the Coast Guard event on Nov. 8, 2023, in Houston.
Title Picture: Capt. Keith Donohue, commander of Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston, accepts an award on behalf of the sector and partner units. Also pictured are (left to right) Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard Heath Jones, Coast Guard District Eight Commander Admiral David Barata, Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Linda Fagan, Coast Guard Vice Commandant Admiral Steve Poulin, and the Coast Guard Foundation chairman and president, Tom Allegretti and Susan Ludwig.
by Ron LaBrec
Featured Partner
Kirby supports several of the Coast Guard Foundation's greatest needs enabling programs that support the men and women of the Coast Guard. Kirby Corporation is the premier tank barge operator in the United States, transporting bulk liquid products throughout the Mississippi River System, on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, and along all three U.S. Coasts.
Featured Partner
ABS supports the Coast Guard Foundation in an array of areas including academic enrichment at the Coast Guard Academy. Founded in 1862, ABS is a global leader in providing classification services for marine and offshore assets. For more than 160 years, ABS has remained committed to its mission of helping to protect life, property, and the natural environment.
Featured Partner
Cheniere supports the Coast Guard Foundation across an array of events and programs. Cheniere is a full-service global provider of clean, secure, and affordable LNG.
Featured Partner
Chevron supports the Coast Guard Foundation in a number of areas to include emergency disaster relief. Chevron is one of the world’s leading integrated energy companies.
Featured Partner
ConocoPhillips has been a national supporter of the Coast Guard Foundation for more than 20 years. ConocoPhillips is one of the world’s leading exploration and production companies with a globally diversified asset portfolio.
Featured Partner
Excelerate Energy, Inc. is a founding sponsor of the Coast Guard Foundation's Texas Salutes the Coast Guard event. Excelerate is changing the way the world accesses cleaner forms of energy by providing integrated services along the LNG value chain with the objective of delivering rapid-to-market and reliable LNG solutions to customers.