News

The Coast Guard Foundation is proud to support the families of brave Coast Guard men and women who are pursuing the dream of higher education. For the past 20 years, we've given out more than $2.4 million in scholarships, helping 250 students defray the costs of college. 

We are very happy to announce that, thanks to increased fundraising efforts, we were able to fund every qualified scholarship applicant this year, resulting in more than 60 scholars. See the complete list of 2013 scholarship winners below.

The Coast Guard Foundation was joined at our Tribute to the Coast Guard in Our Nation's Capital by five recent recipients of The Commander Daniel J. Christovich Scholarship, which awards the children of enlisted personnel $20,000 over four years for college education.

The scholarship is generously funded by Lisa Kazor Christovich, in honor of her husband's distinguished career in the Coast Guard. The scholars who were honored at the dinner were Joseph "Joey" Heimburger, of Gloucester, Virginia; Crystal Marietta, of Fort Myers, Florida; Kaitlin Long, of Denver, Colorado; Katherine Wilson-James, of Rohnert Park, California; and T. Ryan Yowell, of Salisbury, Maryland.

The Coast Guard Foundation's 9th Annual Tribute to the United States Coast Guard in Our Nation's Capital was held on Wednesday, June 5, 2013 in National Harbor, Maryland, where we honored the service of all Coast Guard personnel serving the country.

The evening featured a keynote address from Admiral Robert J. Papp, Commandant of the United States Coast Guard in which he lauded the committment and dedication of the men and women of the Coast Guard, as well as how the Coast Guard Foundation has helped improve their lives over the years.

The 2013 Pacific Area Awards Dinner in San Francisco highlighted the sacrifice of Senior Chief Terrell Horne, who was killed in the line of duty last year during a maritime law enforcement operation off the coast of Southern California.

Senior Chief Horne was posthumously awarded the Chester R. Bender Award for Heroism at the Coast Guard Foundation's 21st Annual Pacific Area Awards Dinner, which was held April 25th in San Francisco, California. Horne left behind three children and wife, who were devastated by his untimely death.

The Coast Guard Foundation's overnight distance race in the Chesapeake Bay, hosted by the Annapolis Yacht Club, was met with much enthusiasm by the 11 sailboats that participated in the competition.

The race kicked-off on Saturday, April 27 at 11 a.m. Over the course of the race, the sailboat crews encountered some strong wind that helped keep the race interesting and challenging, in the range of 20 knots at times. Early finishers crossed the finish line at 3:00 a.m., with the majority of participants completing the race by 9 a.m. on Sunday.

On Thursday, April 25, the Coast Guard Foundation honored the many men and women who serve in the Coast Guard's Pacific Area, which stretches from the shores of the western United States to Alaska and Hawaii all the way to Guam and American Samoa. This is the 20th annual celebration of the service's work in the Pacific.

The evening was MC'd by NBC sailing commentator and Coast Guard Foundation trustee, Gary Jobson, and featured keynote addresses from Vice Admiral Paul Zukunft, commander of the Pacific Area, as well as Commandant of the Coast Guard, Admiral Robert J. Papp. The evening highlighted and celebrated members of the Coast Guard who truly embody the service's core values.

On Thursday, April 25, the Coast Guard Foundation will celebrate the men and women who serve in the Coast Guard's Pacific Area, which stretches from the shores of the western United States to Alaska and Hawaii all the way to Guam and American Samoa. This is the 20th annual celebration of the service's work in the Pacific.

The 2013 winners of the Pacific Area Awards are the crew of a small boat deployed from the Cutter Halibut, an aviation maintenance technician from Kodiak, Alaska, and the crew of the Cutter Bertholf. See below for detailed accounts of the awardees.

It is with a heavy heart that we report the Coast Guard Foundation community has lost one of its founding fathers and one of its most ardent supporters, Capt. Carlton E. "Gene" Russell, USCGR (Ret.), passed away on Tuesday, April 9 in his home of Costa Mesa, California.

The Coast Guard Foundation's 11th Annual Tribute to the United States Coast Guard's 14th District will take place tonight, Wednesday, April 10, 2013 in Honolulu, Hawaii on the beautiful luau grounds of the Hale Koa Hotel. Showcasing Hawaii's history and culture, the event raises awareness for the Foundation and its efforts to support the Coast Guard as well as honor the Polynesian Voyaging Society and its mission to extend the art and science of traditional Polynesian voyaging and the spirit of exploration.

Andrew H. Card, former Secretary of Transportation and White House Chief of Staff, visited the United States Coast Guard Academy on Monday, March 25, 2013 as the Eighteenth Coast Guard Foundation Hedrick Fellow.

While at the Coast Guard Academy, Secretary Card attended a dinner in his honor and participated in cadet-led academic seminars and toured the Coast Guard Barque Eagle. Secretary Card delivered his Hedrick Fellowship Address to the Academy community on Monday evening.