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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Jennifer Crowley Fyke
Senior Director of Communications
Coast Guard Foundation
860-535-0786
jfyke@cgfdn.org
Rus Graham
Rushton Gregory Communications
603-799-2540
rgraham@rushtongregory.com
Coast Guard Foundation Presents 2018
Salute to the United States Coast Guard
National Awards Event in New York City to Honor Coast Guard Heroism and Mission Excellence
Stonington, Conn. — The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education and welfare of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced today that it will hold its 38th annual Salute to the United States Coast Guard at the Marriott Marquis in New York City on Thursday, October 4, 2018. At the event, the Coast Guard Foundation will honor Petty Officer Samuel Knoeppel for his heroism following Hurricane Harvey in September 2017. The Foundation will also recognize International Matex Tank Terminals, a company who has long supported the Foundation’s Scholarship Program, Disaster Relief Fund, special projects at bases and the sailing program at the United States Coast Guard Academy.
The United States Coast Guard Band will perform at the event, as will the United States Coast Guard Academy Glee Club. Admiral Karl Schultz, commandant, and Admiral Charles Ray, vice-commandant of the Coast Guard, will attend. Admiral Schultz will deliver keynote remarks.Dinner Co-chairs are Brendan J. Bouchard, Bouchard Transportation, and Brian Buckley McAllister, McAllister Towing.
The evening will continue on the tradition of paying tribute to outstanding members of the Coast Guard who have selflessly risked their lives to save others. Hurricane Harvey produced more precipitation than any other tropical cyclone in U.S. history and brought widespread flooding across 28,000 square miles. Petty Officer Knoeppel served as a rescue swimmer at Coast Guard Air Station Miami, Florida. In response to the devastation caused by the storm in August 2017, Petty Officer Knoeppel immediately volunteered to reposition to Houston, Texas to assist with search and rescue efforts. Notably, on August 28, Petty Officer Knoeppel deployed from a helicopter in a 150-foot hover to rescue 27 people from chest deep floodwaters, including young children, elderly citizens and a pregnant woman. The following day, he coordinated two complex hospital-to-hospital transfers of patients in dire need of critical care. In both instances the Petty Officer selflessly placed himself in high-risk environments to physically carry patients on a litter to a suitable landing site for helicopter pickup. For the duration of both flights, he performed lifesaving first aid to the patients who were unconscious and not able to breathe unassisted. With the helicopter unable to land at the receiving hospital, Petty Officer Knoeppel again carried both patients 150 yards through ankle deep mud to awaiting emergency medical teams.
“The brave men and women of the Coast Guard, exemplified by Petty Officer Knoeppel, are the very definition of selflessness,” said Susan Ludwig, president, Coast Guard Foundation. “We are continually humbled by the sacrifices made by them on a daily basis. We hope that our recognition of several of the brave Coast Guard members each year shows our gratitude for the entire community.”
The Coast Guard Foundation’s Salute to the United States Coast Guard will be held on Thursday, October 4, 2018 at the Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway, New York City, New York. A cocktail reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. with dinner and the program following at 7:30 p.m.
To learn more about the Coast Guard Foundation, or to help support its work, please visit www.coastguardfoundation.org or call (860) 535-0786.
WHO: The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families
WHAT: Coast Guard Foundation Salute to the United States Coast Guard - National Awards Dinner
WHEN: Thursday, October 4, 2018 – Cocktail Reception 6:30p.m., Dinner and Program begin at 7:30p.m.
WHERE: Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway, New York City, New York About The Coast Guard Foundation
Since 1969, the Coast Guard Foundation has been committed to inspiring leadership, education and a proud legacy of service to our nation by supporting the men and women of the United States Coast Guard. The Foundation provides college scholarships to enlisted members, their spouses and their children, scholarships and support for families of Coast Guard members lost in the line of duty, and support for morale programs, including funding recreation, exercise and family-oriented facilities. The Coast Guard Foundation is headquartered in Stonington, Connecticut, where it maintains a staff of 18, with regional offices in the New York City area; St. Petersburg, Florida; San Francisco, California; and Washington DC area. To learn more about the Coast Guard Foundation or to help support its work, please visit www.coastguardfoundation.org.