Tribute to the 8th Coast Guard District Awardee Announced
The Coast Guard Foundation will recognize Station Panama City for its outstanding response to Hurricane Michael at this year's Tribute to the 8th Coast Guard District. The event takes place on March 15, 2019, and will feature an address by Coast Guard Vice Commandant Admiral Charles Ray.
Hurricane Michael, a violent Category 4 storm and the third most intense Atlantic hurricane to have ever made landfall in recorded history, slammed into the Gulf Coast near Mexico Beach, Florida, just 25 miles from Coast Guard Station Panama City in October 2018.
Station Panama City personnel, despite experiencing their own major personal losses and family displacement in the wake of the storm, immediately took action to recover the station’s readiness as an operational multi-mission unit and prepared the damaged unit facilities to house and stage hundreds of additional personnel and support equipment.
Station crew commenced search and rescue and maritime transportation system recovery operations almost immediately following Hurricane Michael’s passing, and provided support to local law enforcement agencies responding to waves of looting.
In the days following the storm, station personnel acted as community first responders and conducted wellness checks at more than 180 homes of local residents and Coast Guard members of nearby units, providing much relief to those impacted by the violent storm.
In the aftermath of the storm, the Foundation assisted 90 Coast Guard families in the Panama City area with $245,500 of support to help them recover and to rebuild their own homes and personal spaces.
We are honored to recognize the brave men and women of the Coast Guard’s Eighth District. Even with their own homes and families affected by the hurricane, they remained dedicated to their community. Their steadfastness and personal sacrifice in the face of trial and calamity is a true example of devotion to duty.