The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced today that its 29th Annual Salute to the United States Coast Guard will take place on Thursday, October 15, 2009 in New York City. Honoring the heroic efforts of Coast Guard men and women over the past year, three awards will be presented recognizing heroism and superior performance in the line of duty:
- BM2 Benjamin M. Foster, honored for his heroic services during the US Air Flight 1549 emergency landing in the Hudson River in January 2009.
- AST3 Aaron S. Harvey, awarded for the superior performance he displayed as a swimmer aboard HH-65C during the rescue of a survivor of the catastrophic helicopter crash near Morgan City, Louisiana in January 2009.
- United States Coast Guard DALLAS, recognized for outstanding global maritime security and contributing to international relations during its role in Operation Assured Delivery, a humanitarian aid effort in which the crew delivered 76,000 pounds of humanitarian supplies to over 100,000 citizens in the Republic of Georgia who were in dire need of international assistance.
In addition to honoring all of our guardians who enforce maritime law, protect our homeland and preserve the environment, the event raises funds to support the Coast Guard Foundation's important projects and programs. These initiatives seek to improve the lives and performance of Coast Guard members, their families and Coast Guard Academy cadets, including college scholarships for children, as well as grants for enlisted members. Guests of this year's gala will include Mr. Robert Flynn, Coast Guard Foundation board member and Master of Ceremonies, Ross E. Roeder, Coast Guard Foundation board chair, Anne B. Brengle, Coast Guard Foundation president, ADM Thad Allen, United States Coast Guard Commandant, VADM David Pekoske, United States Coast Guard Vice Commandant and senior leaders of the Coast Guard. Performances will be given by the Coast Guard Band, as well as the United States Coast Guard Academy Glee Club which will debut a new piece about the EAGLE titled, "Fair Winds and Royals."
"Our annual tribute event brings together our partners and the community to honor and celebrate the heroic efforts Coast Guard members demonstrate year-round to keep Americans safe," said Ms. Brengle. "More than an expression of gratitude, the tribute will raise funds to support important Coast Guard Foundation programs and projects that seek to enhance service and opportunities for Coast Guard members and their families."
In conjunction with the 29th Annual Salute the Foundation will celebrate its 40th anniversary of service to the United States Coast Guard and promote its Are You One In A Million? campaign. Honoring the heroism of the service men and women throughout history, the Foundation's new campaign strives to capture and highlight the unique and diverse stories, and personal impact, of over a million successful missions of bravery and courage since the Coast Guard's inception in 1790. A website has been created to collect accounts from individuals who lived another day because of the bravery of our maritime guardians, as well as families with stories of a heroic rescue passed down through generations. Individuals can submit and view stories at
one-in-a-million-rescued.org.
The Coast Guard Foundation's 29th Annual Salute to the United States Coast Guard will take place Thursday, October 15, 2009 at the Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway, New York, New York. A cocktail reception will begin at 6:30 pm, with a dinner reception and program to follow at 7:30 pm. For more information on the Coast Guard Foundation's gala tribute to the United States Coast Guard, its Are You One In A Million? campaign, the Coast Guard Foundation or to help support its work, please visit the Coast Guard Foundation website www.coastguardfoundation.org.