Foundation salutes the U.S. Coast Guard at recent dinners

Committee efforts raise more than 2.6 million

The Coast Guard Foundation hosted five tribute dinners in the first half of 2007 to honor the brave men and women of the Coast Guard. The events raised more than $2.6 million which will benefit Coast Guard personnel stationed throughout the country. Two more dinners scheduled for later this year, in New York and Miami, will round out the season.

The 5th Annual Tribute to the 14th District of the U.S. Coast Guard held on February 20 in Honolulu was a smashing success again this year. Keynote speaker Sen. Daniel K. Inouye joined 850 attendees to recognize and honor the men and women who serve in Hawaii. The tribute included a stirring video produced by McNeil Wilson Communications. If you would like a copy of the six minute presentation, contact the Foundation office at (860) 535-0786.

On March 30, nearly 700 gathered to honor the Coast Guard at the Guardian of the Heartland Awards Dinner in New Orleans. Sen. David Vitter was the keynote speaker. This year, the Foundation honored the crew of CGC Pelican, the boat crew from Station Grand Isle, and the helicopter crew from Air Station New Orleans for their rescue response to the research vessel Odyssey Voyager. Thanks to the crew of Pelican, 40 people were saved from the burning Voyager. The survivors abandoned ship into life rafts and the crew of the cutter pulled them to safety.

The 22nd Annual Pacific Area Awards Dinner was held in San Francisco on May 3. The Foundation welcomed Vice Admiral Vivien S. Crea, Vice Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard as its keynote speaker. This year, The Admiral John B. Hayes Award for Unit Excellence went to Air Station Sacramento, which prosecuted and assisted in cases that resulted in the seizure of over 38,000 pounds of cocaine valued at over $340 million. The Admiral James S. Gracey Award for Professional Excellence was presented to BM1 Greg R. Babst, Chetco River who played a crucial role in training six other coxswains at the station and served as a mentor and role model for others. The Admiral Chester R. Bender Award for Heroism went to the Crew of CGMLB 47248, Station Disappointment, who braved 30-foot seas to rescue a disabled 50-foot boat vessel from “the graveyard of the Pacific.”

More than 400 attendees at the Pacific Northwest Awards Dinner in Seattle joined keynote speaker Sen. Maria Cantwell to salute the crew of CG 6022 of Air Station Astoria. They were recognized for their extraordinary teamwork, skill, courage and determination in the face of extremely challenging weather and surf conditions to complete an exceptionally demanding rescue of four survivors.

The 3rd Annual Tribute to the Coast Guard in our Nation's Capital honored the men and women of the Coast Guard who served in World War II. Keynote speaker, Norman Y. Mineta, former Secretary of the Department of Transportation, also served as Dinner Chair this year. The Coast Guard's role in World War II was as diverse as the service itself: from Greenland patrols and amphibious landings to manning Navy transports, rescues, and combat missions. Women also played an important role in the War effort. More than 10,000 women volunteered in the U.S. Coast Guard Women's Reserve, also known as SPARs. More than 750 attendees paid tribute to this remarkable generation who served with pride and dedication.