Coast Guard Foundation to Host 2026 Salute to the Coast Guard in New Orleans

On Friday, March 6, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. CT, the Coast Guard Foundation will host its annual Salute to the Coast Guard in New Orleans at the National WWII Museum.

Attendees at the 2025 Coast Guard Foundation Salute to the Coast Guard event in New Orleans.

by Ron LaBrec

February 19, 2026

About the Event

The Coast Guard Foundation's Salute to the Coast Guard in New Orleans honors the service of Coast Guard members stationed throughout the Gulf Coast and the Heartland. The evening will begin with a reception, followed by a dinner program recognizing Coast Guard personnel who safeguard lives and waterways in the Coast Guard’s Heartland District. Attendees will include Coast Guard leaders, maritime industry partners, and community supporters.

Featured Rescue: USCGC Yellowfin

The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Yellowfin will be honored for the rescue of three survivors from a capsized fishing vessel.

The program will highlight a rescue conducted by the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Yellowfin, homeported in New Orleans. On February 13, 2025, the Yellowfin crew rescued three mariners after their fishing vessel capsized approximately 40 miles offshore of Caillou Bay, Louisiana.

Special Recognition: Merritt Lane

Merritt Lane, CEO of Canal Barge Company, will be honored for his maritime leadership and support of the Coast Guard Foundation.

This year’s tribute will include special recognition of Merritt Lane, CEO of Canal Barge Company. Lane has supported the Coast Guard Foundation’s New Orleans event for 30 years, helping share the story of Coast Guard service and the importance of America’s Maritime Transportation System with more than 12,000 attendees over three decades.

A leader in the maritime industry, Lane has served as Chairman of the American Waterways Operators and the Waterways Council Inc., as well as serving as a board member of the National Waterways Foundation. Also active in many civic, educational, and philanthropic organizations, he has served as board chair of the Isidore Newman School, The Idea Village, and the Baptist Community Ministries Foundation. He has also served on the boards of the Nature Conservancy of Louisiana, the Water Institute of the Gulf, the National World War II Museum, and others.

Tickets, Sponsorships Create Mission Impact

Sponsorships & Tickets

Join Us

Proceeds from the event support the Coast Guard Foundation’s initiatives, including scholarships, morale and wellness programs, and disaster relief for Coast Guard members and their families.

The Foundation thanks dinner sponsor Bollinger Shipyards and reception sponsors Birdon, Canal Barge Company, Cheniere Energy, and Hornbeck Offshore for their support.

Sponsorship opportunities are available at multiple levels and may include priority seating, recognition during the program, and inclusion in event materials. Individual tickets: $1,000.

To discuss sponsorships or purchase tickets, contact Becky Ketterhagen at (860) 457-1413 or bketterhagen@coastguardfoundation.org.

Title Image: Coast Guard members are honored at the 2025 Coast Guard Foundation Salute to the Coast Guard event in New Orleans.

Disclaimer: AI was used in the creation of this content.

by Ron LaBrec

Featured Partner

Bollinger Shipyards has been the dinner sponsor of the Coast Guard Foundation's Tribute to the Eighth Coast Guard District for many years. Bollinger Shipyards builds the Coast Guard's Fast Response Cutters and is currently building the Polar Security Cutter, a heavy icebreaker that will conduct Coast Guard missions in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.

Featured Partner

Birdon America is an established and trusted partner of the United States Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security, currently delivering on major projects for the U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S Navy. Birdon America supports the Coast Guard Foundation's Tribute to the Eighth Coast Guard District and Salute to the Coast Guard in our Nation's Capital events.

Featured Partner

Canal Barge Company is one of the most diverse marine transportation companies in the country, moving highly valuable cargo to virtually every part of the world. Canal Barge has also been a dedicated supporter of the Coast Guard Foundation for more than 30 years.

Featured Partner

Cheniere Energy is a full-service global provider of clean, secure, and affordable LNG. Cheniere supports the Coast Guard Foundation across an array of events and programs.

Featured Partner

Hornbeck Offshore is a leading provider of marine transportation services to exploration and production, oilfield service, offshore construction and military customers. A valued and enduring partner, Hornbeck Offshore has supported many Coast Guard Foundation programs and events for more than a quarter of a century.