Non-Profit Organization’s Dinner and Tribute to Take Place on August Eighth.
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 Alaska Awards Dinner in tribute to the United States Coast Guard will take place on Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage, Alaska. Honoring the courageous efforts of the guardians who enforce maritime law, protect our homeland and preserve the environment in Alaska, awards will be presented for outstanding heroism demonstrated this year.
The event’s keynote speaker is US Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Robert Papp. In addition, Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell, Senator Mark Begich, Senator Lisa Murkowski and Congressman Don Young will be in attendance to pay tribute to Alaska’s Coast Guard men and women. Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, the USCG Pacific Area Commander VADM Paul F. Zukunft, USCG 17th Coast Guard District Commander RADM Thomas P. Ostebo, and Coast Guard Foundation Chairman Robert J. Flynn and President Anne B. Brengle will also be in attendance to recognize the efforts of service men and women in the region.
The Coast Guard Foundation 2012 Award for Heroism will be presented at the event to three Kodiak, Alaska-based Coast Guard aircrews for their participation in the search and rescue of four men who had gone missing for three days last May in the icy seas off the coast.
“We are honored to recognize and celebrate the selfless deeds of the men and women stationed in Alaska who wear the Coast Guard uniform,” said Ms. Brengle. “Faced with challenging weather and sea conditions, these heroes go out in even the most adverse conditions to perform their duties, save lives and protect our shores. We are privileged to support them.”
The 2012 Alaska Awards Dinner committee includes VADM Thomas Barrett, USCG (Ret.), Mr. Phil Cochrane, Mr. Walter Hickel, Jr., Mr. Scott Jepsen, Mr. Lynn Johnson, Mr. Clay Maitland and RADM Duncan Smith, USCGR (Ret.).
In addition to honoring the Coast Guard, the event will raise funds to support the Coast Guard Foundation’s important projects and programs that seek to improve the lives and performance of service members, their families and Coast Guard Academy cadets. For over 40 years, the Coast Guard Foundation has been committed to inspire leadership, learning and a proud legacy of service to our nation by supporting the men of women of the United States Coast Guard and their families. The Foundation provides higher education grants to enlisted personnel, reservist and their children, higher education financial support for families of Coast Guard members lost in the line of duty, financial relief to Coast Guard families who have lost possessions in natural disasters, and support for numerous moral and wellness boasting endeavors including recreation, exercise and family-oriented facilities.
The Alaska Awards Dinner will take place Wednesday, August 8, 2012 at The Hotel Captain Cook, 939 W 5th Avenue, Anchorage, Alaska. A dinner reception and program will begin at 7:30 pm. For more information on the Coast Guard Foundation’s tribute to the United States Coast Guard in the Alaska, the Coast Guard Foundation or to help support its work, please visit the Coast Guard Foundation website www.coastguardfoundation.org.