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Coast Guard Foundation Honors Southeast Coast Guard Region for 2022 Hurricane Response

We honored the Coast Guard’s response to Hurricanes Fiona and Ian at our annual South Florida event.
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by Ron LaBrec
May 4, 2023

The Coast Guard Foundation honored the Coast Guard’s response to Hurricanes Fiona and Ian at its annual South Florida event on April 28. The Tribute to the Seventh Coast Guard District, held at the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale, was attended by Coast Guard members, maritime and defense industry leaders, and supporters of the Coast Guard.

In late September Coast Guard members in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands responded to the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona. Shortly thereafter, in less than 7 days following Hurricane Ian’s landfall near Ft. Myers Beach, Florida, Coast Guard members rescued more than 1,000 people and over 100 pets. They also rushed relief supplies and evacuated residents of coastal islands that were cut off after the storm. In the days that followed, Coast Guard members oversaw the remediation of more than 7,500 damaged vessels and pollution incidents from the storm. Crews also repaired more than 250 aids to navigation in navigable waterways and quickly reopened ports vital to local and national commerce.

Master Chief Petty Officer William Kelly at the podium.
Master Chief Petty Officer William Kelly, Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, accepts the Coast Guard Foundation award on behalf of the many Coast Guard personnel recognized and present, at the Tribute to the Seventh Coast Guard District in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on April 28, 2023.

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, the former president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises, was also recognized for her leadership in the maritime industry, commitment to diversity and inclusion, and support of the non-profit community. Perlo is transitioning from Celebrity Cruises to parent company Royal Caribbean Group as Vice Chair, External Affairs.

Lisa Lutoff-Perlo and Susan Ludwig on stage
Coast Guard Foundation President Susan Ludwig presents an award to Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, former CEO and president of Celebrity Cruise Lines for her maritime leadership at the Tribute to the Seventh Coast Guard District in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on April 28, 2023.

The keynote speaker, Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard Adm. Steve Poulin, spoke optimistically about the service’s future while also thanking the Foundation and those present for their support of Coast Guard members and families.

Dinner attendees listen to ADM Steve Poulin on stage.
Coast Guard Vice Commandant Adm. Steve Poulin speaks at the Tribute to the Seventh Coast Guard District in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on April 28,2023
Members of the Davie Jazz Society performing on stage.
The Davie Jazz Society performs at the dancing and dessert reception following the Tribute to the Seventh Coast Guard District in Fort Lauderdale, on April 28, 2023.

The Coast Guard Foundation would like to thank all who sponsored and attended the event, which helped raise more than $320,000 for programs that support Coast Guard members and families.

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Coast Guard Vice Commandant Adm. Steve Poulin stands beside RDML Jeffrey Randall prior to the Tribute to the Coast Guard Seventh District in Fort Lauderdale on April 28. Coast Guard Foundation board and staff members were honored to attend the frocking of Randall to Rear Admiral (lower half). The frocking was held at the home of Foundation director Fred Brodsky and his wife Darla. A frocking is the tradition of ceremonially promoting a service member to a higher rank for which they have been selected prior to the official date of promotion. It is used when a member is transferring early to a position requiring that rank. Randall is the outgoing chief of staff for the Seventh Coast Guard District and will assume leadership of the Coast Guard’s Force Readiness Command.

Title image: A color guard presents the colors to start the Tribute to the Seventh Coast Guard District event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on April 28, 2023.

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