Congratulating Chief Petty Office Mario Vittone (second from left) at the 2006 Coast Guard Honor Ceremony are (from left) MCPO Rick Trent, USCG (Ret.), MCPO Vince Patton, USCG (Ret.) and MCPO Charles Bowen, USCG.
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Meet a real-life "Guardian"
In the Touchstone Pictures movie “The Guardian,” actor Kevin Costner plays a legendary Coast Guard rescue swimmer, and Ashton Kutcher plays the role of a student in “A” school, a training program for rescue swimmers.
It could be said that Coast Guard Aviation Survival Technician First Class Mario Vittone is one of the real-life “Guardians.” A “legend” in his own right, rescue swimmer PO Mario Vittone began his career in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Coral Sea. Nearing the end of his enlistment, he learned about rescue swimmers and thought he would be good at it. He decided to enlist with the Coast Guard to join the elite ranks of rescue swimmers. In 1995, Mario and the crew of CG Helicopter 6034 were awarded Coast Guard Foundation's Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Award for Heroism for a daring rescue during Hurricane Gordon. After taking time off for personal reasons, he rejoined the CG rescue swimmer ranks and continued to excel at his chosen profession.
On May 22, 2007, PO Vittone was honored as the 2006 Coast Guard Enlisted Person of the Year, and at the same time, promoted to rank of Chief Petty Officer. This award recognizes enlisted personnel who demonstrate exceptional professionalism, performance and dedication.
Congratulations Mario!
Foundation Awards Scholarships for 2007
The Coast Guard Foundation is pleased to announce the 2007 scholarship recipients. The Arnold Sobel Scholarship and the Coast Guard Foundation Scholarship funds are for dependent children of enlisted men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard on active duty, retired or deceased, and dependent children of enlisted personnel in the Coast Guard Reserve. The selections are based on scholastic promise, motivation, moral character, leadership qualities and good citizenship.
Four awardees were chosen for the Arnold Sobel Scholarship:
Michael J. Baker of Traverse City, Mich. plans to attend Central Michigan University in the pre-med program. He is the son of AMTC Phillip B. Baker, stationed at Air Station Detroit.
Andrea C. Dobbins of Suffolk, Va. will attend Penn State University and major in forensic science. She is the daughter of MKCM Joseph A. Dobbins, MLC Command, Atlantic Area.
Michael DiTrani of Staten Island will attend Syracuse University to major in sports management and integrated marketing communications. He is the son of CPO Michael J. DiTrani, Reserve Extended Duty, Sector New York.
Emily Peyton of Suffolk, Va. will begin her third year at the University of South Carolina studying Russian. This summer Emily is in Russia in an internship program. She is the daughter of TTC Raleigh A. Peyton, Jr., USCG Retired.
Nine students received the Coast Guard Foundation Scholarship:
Daniel C. Fisher of Glen Ellen, Calif. plans to attend California Polytechnic University to pursue a degree in engineering. He is the son of YNCS Kurt E. Fisher, CG Tracen Petaluma.
John M. Phillips of Hamden, N.C. will attend North Carolina State University enrolled in the aerospace engineering program. He is the son of AETC Robert A. Phillips with Aircraft Supply and Repair Center, Elizabeth City.
Ainsley Anderson of Hope Valley, R.I. will attend Ithaca College to major in theatrical production. She is the daughter of CPO William Anderson, U.S. Coast Guard Academy.
Chelsea Cumbie Laub of Daphne, Ala. will attend Suffolk University and major in communications. She is the daughter of E6 Carl V. Jehle, Sector Mobile.
Sarah deOliveira of Fairhaven, Mass. will attend University of Tampa to study nursing. She is the daughter of BMC David deOliveira, Sector New England.
Stephanie Guinnane of Turlock, Calif. will attend San Diego State University and major in psychology. She is the daughter of CPO Peter Guinnane, PSU 312, San Francisco.
Jeffrey Miller of Charlevoix, Mich. will attend Michigan State University and major in international relations. He is the son of BMC William Miller, USCGC Bristol Bay, Detroit.
Cassie E. Pitkin of Petaluma, Calif. plans to attend California Polytechnic University and will seek a degree in the field of physical therapy. She is the daughter of CPO James W. Pitkin, USCG Pacific Strike Team.
Sean Ramsey of Daphne, Ala. will attend the University of South Alabama to study engineering. He is the son of ETC Elizabeth Ramsey, Rescue 21 Pro Scottsdale.
The Captain Ernest W. Fox Perpetual Scholarship was awarded to Lynette Stevenson of Elizabeth City, N.C., who will attend Elizabeth City State University and will enter the pharmacy program. She is the spouse of Marshall Keith Stevenson, Civil Service GS12, Station Elizabeth City. This scholarship fund is for employees of Aircraft Repair and Supply Center in Elizabeth City, active duty, federal civil service and their dependents.
The Fallen Heroes Scholarship was established for families of Coast Guard personnel who die in the line of duty. This is the first fund established for supporting the educational needs of families whose loved one makes the ultimate sacrifice. This year, the recipients are Patricia Bruckenthal, who is studying nursing at George Mason University in Virginia, and Michael Lester, who is majoring in criminal justice at Faulkner College in Alabama.
The Vander Putten Family Scholarships are awarded to Coast Guard enlisted personnel as they pursue their off duty educational goals. This year, 22 awardees received grants for tuition assistance.
