Coast Guard Foundation Event in NYC Honors Dr. James S.C. Chao and Coast Guard, Features Keynote by Elaine Chao

Last night, a sold-out house of maritime industry leaders and Coast Guard supporters gathered at Chelsea Piers for the New York Salutes the Coast Guard dinner. Hosted by the Coast Guard Foundation, the event celebrated the dedication of Coast Guard personnel and honored a titan of the maritime community.

The event did not include the usual heavy presence of Coast Guard national leadership and local members due to the ongoing government shutdown. 

President of the Coast Guard Foundation Susan Ludwig explained in her remarks, “I spoke with the Acting Commandant Admiral Lunday and Vice Commandant Admiral Allan yesterday. They were heartbroken that the government shutdown is keeping Admiral Lunday and our Coast Guard members from attending,” she said. “They thanked all of us, in advance, for all the morale and resiliency support that we can give their crews during this tough time. Admiral Lunday and Admiral Allan, we are humbled to stand beside you and behind you in support of your mission,” she continued.

Dr. James S.C. Chao Receives Honor

A major highlight of the gala was the tribute to Dr. James S.C. Chao, a revered figure in the global shipping industry. Dr. Chao was presented with an award celebrating his lifetime of visionary leadership and his profound impact on maritime commerce and philanthropy. His company, Foremost Group, stands as a testament to his dedication and business acumen.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Chao said, “thank you for this extraordinary honor. The motto of Foremost Group is honor, integrity and performance. The United States Coast Guard exemplifies these ideals. I am humbled to be recognized by the Coast Guard Foundation. Your mission is one we embrace at Foremost Group, and we are proud of our affiliation with the Coast Guard.”

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter William Chadwick Crew Recognized for Exceptional Service

The evening also paid tribute to the heroes of the U.S. Coast Guard. A special award for exceptional service was presented to the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter William Chadwick, which rescued six survivors from the fishing vessel Three Girls after it caught fire in rough seas 120 nautical miles east of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on August 11, 2024. Dinner attendees gave the crew a virtual standing ovation for their bravery that will be shared with them via video.

The Honorable Elaine Chao Delivers Inspiring Keynote Address

The keynote address was delivered by The Honorable Elaine Chao, who served as the 18th U.S. Secretary of Transportation and 24th U.S. Secretary of Labor. Secretary Chao graciously stepped in for Admiral Kevin Lunday, Acting Commandant of the Coast Guard, who was unable to attend due to the government shutdown. 

Secretary Chao’s remarks captivated the audience as she spoke on the importance of the U.S. Coast Guard to national security and Dr. James S.C. Chao’s inspiring journey from a young navigation student to the youngest ship captain of his time at the age of 29 to founding a world leading shipping company. She also noted how the values of the Coast Guard and the Foremost Group complimented each other and it was fitting that the dinner honored them both.

“The Coast Guard Foundation deserves our gratitude for its steadfast commitment to supporting the men and women of the United States Coast Guard,” said Secretary Chao.

“This evening is also very special because we are honoring the vision and contributions of Dr. James S.C. Chao, Founder and Chair of Foremost Group. His life has been dedicated to the sea and to the people who serve on it. His contributions and achievements reflect his commitment to operational excellence, safety on the seas, environmental stewardship and the adoption of new sustainability and environmental technologies,” she continued.

All proceeds from the New York Salutes the Coast Guard event fund the Coast Guard Foundation’s essential support programs, which include:

• Scholarships for Coast Guard children.
• Morale, wellness, and recreation programs for service members.
• Support for families of fallen heroes.
• Emergency relief for Coast Guard families in times of crisis.

The Coast Guard Foundation is grateful to dinner sponsor Foremost Group, reception sponsors McAllister Towing and Lockheed Martin, and major sponsors ABS, Chevron, Enstructure, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, and Statue City Cruises, and all who sponsored and attended the event. The success of the evening reflects the maritime industry’s community spirit and respect for the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard who serve alongside them in our ports and waterways.

Title Image: The U.S. Coast Guard Academy Glee Club performs at the Coast Guard Foundation's New York Salutes the Coast Guard at Chelsea Piers on October 9, 2025.

Disclosure: AI was used to organize Coast Guard Foundation information for this post.