CurrentsWe remember

“coast guard remember” movement expands cross-country

Over the past three years, the coast guard remember movement, which was formerly known as the Coast Guard Run to Remember, has

grown exponentially from its roots. It began as one man raising money for

our Fallen Heroes Scholarship Fund, which provides college scholarships to chil-

dren of Coast Guard members who die in the line of duty, to a worldwide event that

raised $35,000 this year, with thousands of people participating.

In 2011, a single Coast Guard officer, Lieutenant Brian Bruns, embarked on a journey to run the Keys 100, an ultramarathon in the Florida Keys, in honor of Coast Guard members who died in the line of duty since September 11, 2001. LT Bruns raised $3,000 for the Fallen Heroes Scholarship Fund. Led by Lieutenant Lucy Love and Petty Officer Sean Lawler, one year later, the race was transformed into a global event. Ninety individuals formed relay teams to tackle the Keys 100,

summer 2013 z a publication of the coast guard foundation z www.coastguardfoundation.org

Members of the Coast Guard, Navy, family, friends and Sam the dog participated in the Run to Remember event held in Cleveland, May 17, 2013. Units at the Coast Guard Cleveland Mooring hosted Run to Remember, which is a run dedicated to remembering those who have died saving lives or defending freedom.

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a 100-mile ultra-marathon that begins in Key Largo ends in Key West. In 2012, the Keys 100 teams presented the Coast Guard Foundation with a donation for $10,100 for the Fallen Heroes Scholarship Fund; this year their support has more than tripled, which is an amazing feat.

It is important to note that LT Love and PO Lawler organized the movement in their personal time, after all of their Coast Guard duties were complete. In addition to their efforts, one-time Coast Guard spouse of the year Patricia Pruett lent her time and talent to the cause. The Miami Chapter of the Chief Petty Officers Association was instrumental in orchestrating the nation-wide effort, as well.

“We are not just honoring names on a plaque or pictures on a wall, we are honoring the families. We are honoring the

men, women, and children who lost someone very close to them,” Petty Officer Lawler said.

Audrey Gill, the daughter of AM1 Michael Gill, who was killed in an aviation crash dur-ing a search and recuse mission, participated in a Coast Guard Remember event in Jacksonville, Florida this year. Audrey is the recipient of a Fallen Heroes Scholarship, so her participation makes a meaningful connection

to her father’s legacy as a Coast Guard hero. “These events allow Coast Guard members, their families

and others to honor those who have made the ultimate sac-rifice in service of their country,” said Foundation President, Anne B. Brengle. “We are so grateful to the run’s organizers, volunteers and all who participated in the events who have transformed this movement into something truly special.”

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Participants in the Keys 100 Race ran the course in teams of six; each team member ran in memory of a fallen hero. Below: Coast Guard Foundation staff held a "Walk to Remember" at Foundation headquarters in Stonington.

z back to school season is upon us E The Coast Guard Foundation supports education initiatives in various ways. Our Enlisted Education Grants program distributed $230,000 so far this year helping more than 750 Coast Guard members pursue additional education opportunities. These grants help cover costs not covered by the G.I. Bill, such as lab fees, calculators, text books, and more. As one recipient said of the grant he received: “Being a Coast Guard member and going through school is hard enough. Being a husband and a father on top of that makes it even harder. Money is tight and every little bit helps. I appreciate all the help you have given me in the pursuit of my degree.” We award grants based not only on an applicant’s financial need, but also on scholastic promise, motivation, moral character, good citizenship and leadership qualities.

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What is the Fallen Heroes Scholarship Program?

In trying times, the coast guard foundation acts as a lifeline to active duty members and their families. Through these services, the Foundation hopes to better the lives of those who serve in the

Coast Guard every day, and ensure that when a member of the Coast Guard makes the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, that we are always ready to step in and help those impacted.

Sadly, every so often the Coast Guard Foundation is called upon to help those who are struck by tragedy. In 2012, the Coast Guard lost five members in the line of duty, leaving behind several young children. The Fallen Heroes Scholarship Fund provides money for college for those children whose parents made the ultimate sacrifice.

We thank all of our generous donors who make it possible for the Coast Guard Foundation to provide sup-port to the families of Coast Guard men and women who lose their lives in the line of duty. Due to their support, we show them they do not mourn alone, and that we will take care of those affected by these tragedies.

“The generosity of our supporters in the wake of a tragedy is greatly appreciated,” said Coast Guard Foundation Senior Vice President Brad Sisley. “Their gifts will allow the wives and children some peace of mind knowing the Coast Guard Foundation is there to provide for the families of these fallen heroes.”

Here is a list of the major donors who, since 2012, have helped brighten the future of the children of Coast Guard members who gave their lives in service of their country. Their generous contributions, and those of the hundreds of other individuals, guarantee that the chil-dren of the fallen will have support in their pursuit of higher education.

• Chapter Miami Chief Petty Officers Association

• Chevron

• CG Remember

• Mr. James J. Coleman and International Matex Tank Terminals

• Crowley Maritime

• Marine Preservation Association

• News America Marketing

• Post Advisory Group

• Tee It Up For Troops

• U.S. Coast Guard Hockey Association

z sault sainte marie projectA new community center for the 600 active duty, reserve and civilian Coast Guard members and their families stationed in and around Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan is in the plan-ning stages, with a fundraising campaign in full swing. The community center will help install a strong feeling of community, and build esprit-de-corps among the units based there. Coast Guard civil engineers have construction draw-ings finished, and the Coast Guard Foundation is working with its loyal and supportive donor base to raise the $400,000 needed to construct the family-friendly facility. For more information on the community center, or to add your sup-port for the project, call the Foundation office at 860-535-0786 or visit our website at www.coastguardfoundation.org.

z thank you girl scouts! The Girl Scouts of Connecticut has donated more than 1,000 cases of Girl Scout cookies (that’s more than $45,000 worth of cookies) to the Coast Guard Foundation this year through its “Cookies for Heroes” program. Coast Guard members up and down the east coast, and those deployed in the Middle East and Guantanamo Bay, have benefited from these tasty treats. Pictured here, Coast Guard members stationed on the cutter Morro Bay, homeported in New London, Connecticut.

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Shipmate Fund support is divided among different projects across different units, includ-ing fitness and recreation equipment for active duty members who use the resources to stay focused and physically fit to meet the demands of a difficult job.

At Station Fort Myers, a donor gener-ously funded $83,000 worth of morale proj-ects, including providing iPod Touches for the enlisted personnel stationed there, and a climbing wall.

The Foundation also helps create a more comfortable work environment, by providing gear that Coast Guard members can use in their free time. Flag football gear for the crew of Station Houston, Texas, and mountain bikes for the Marine Safety Detachment in Nashville, Tennessee filled the need for the Coast Guard members stationed there.

In-ground basketball hoops and equipment, workout room televisions and DVD players were installed at the Marine Safety Unit in Paducah, Kentucky, while the exercise space the Aviation Training Center in Mobile, Alabama was remodeled.

Additionally, the Foundation provides for the families of Coast Guard members with projects such as the playground recently unveiled in Portsmouth, Virginia. The playground equipment was generously funded by a grant from Lockheed Martin Corporation.

The playground is not the only project the Coast Guard Foundation has contributed to the base either. Nearby is a softball field that the Foundation built several years ago. Now, families who are watching a game can keep their kids enter-tained on the playground.

Shipmate Fund projects such as these give dedicated Coast Guard members the opportunity for education, recre-ation and wellness activities in their off duty time, so they can excel while on duty, in service to our country.

Foundation Shipmate Funding Updateyour support in 2013 contributed more than $370,000 to the fund

The coast guard foundation provides support to coast guard units, bases and cutters through-

out the country through the Shipmate Fund. So far in 2013, we have contributed more than $370,000 and

we are on pace to increase that support even further. Some of our recent Shipmate Fund accomplish-

ments include robust support in the Gulf Coast region, Portsmouth, Virginia, and Fort Myers, Florida.

The 210-foot cutter Venturous, homeported in St. Petersburg, Florida, received a grant for fitness mats and resistance training equipment, to help the crew stay physically fit while underway on long deployments.

Foundation chairman Bob Flynn, right, and trustee Judith Roos, with RADM Steve Ratti, commander of the Coast Guard Fifth District, and Lt. Chris Meik,

commanding officer of CGC William Tate, and CGF-funded fitness equipment.

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Today (June 29) marked the end of the 2013 Summer Ocean Racing season. Tomorrow the team moves in different directions for the remainder of the summer training period. The season was a big success. As a team we progressed from struggling with simple boat handling to communicating together to winning starts in competitive fleets.

Very fittingly, we spent our last day sailing in the fog from Block Island back to the Academy. It seemed right for how the majority of the season went to have bad weather. The rain, fog, hail, and wind we experi-enced this season just add to our adventure. The six third class in the program completed our first distance

race this season, and it was a pretty salty race at that!Our three big events- Annapolis to Newport Race, New York Yacht Club Annual Regatta,

and Block Island Race week mark big strides in our development as a team. Though we did not always meet our goals in results, our focus points matured over the summer. The team

consistently worked well together and sailed the boat efficiently. We also made some great memories on and off the water, including our “happy dance” coined by Kayla, “family” din-

ners, and our transit dance party. You know, I could say the very generic answer that the team came away with new

lessons in leadership, how to work and live with other people, and better sailing skills. All these would be correct of course, but I feel like the Summer Ocean Racing Program

teaches you much more. There is definitely a new level of appreciation for the sea that I have learned. We saw some of the most amazing sights in the world, but we

also experienced some great challenges. The first time you are sailing at night in the middle of the ocean and it’s 30 knots is a humbling experience. I think

ocean racing tests your mind and your will. Some of the most miserable nights feel like great accomplishments afterwards. Beyond general leadership and

people skills, I realized the importance of atmosphere. Staying positive and light hearted even in the worst sailing conditions goes a long way in

keeping everyone happy (or at least happier than otherwise). Though its cliché, this was one of the best experiences of my life. I can’t wait for the

2014 season next summer! z Christi Frost

Offshore Sailing at the Academya cadet reflects on her experiences

The coast guard academy’s offshore racing team competes throughout much of

the year, and the summer months in particular find the team participating in races

up and down the east coast. The team sails on the Coast Guard Foundation donated

sailboat Glory, a J-44 performance racing yacht. Second class cadet Christi Frost reflected

on her experiences after this summer’s competition:

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pacific area awards dinner, april: Above left, Scott and Melissa Trommer, left, with Leo and Ginny Koulos at the San Francisco dinner. Leo is a Coast Guard Foundation director and one of the lead organizers for this twenty-year old event. Above, right, LT Stewart Sibert, commanding officer of the cutter Halibut, reflects on his crew’s experiences onboard the ship, and the impact the Coast Guard Foundation’s support had on his crew following the death of one of their shipmates, BMCS Terrell Horne.

dc golf tournament, april: Board member and tournament coordinator RADM James Olson, USCG (Ret.), Director of Special Events Jean Brown and Admiral Robert J. Papp reveal the amount raised at this year’s tournament for scholarship for Coast Guard children.

cgf cup, may: Foundation board members Jim Muldoon and CAPT Pat Stadt, USCG (Ret.), representing the event sponsors, Metcor, LLC and Huntington Ingalls Industries, with race winners Kim and George Anderson, captain and skipper of Boundless, in Annapolis.

tribute in our nation’s capital, june: Far left, former Commandant Admiral James Gracey, USCG (Ret.) and Mrs. Randy Gracey at the dinner in National Harbor, Maryland, which featured satirist and comedian Mark Russell, left, providing entertainment. Above, Master Chief Mark Allen, the Coast Guard Reserve Force Master Chief, and Petty Officer Michael Leehey at the dinner.

z gallery of spring 2013 coast guard foundation events

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Christovich Scholars attend D.C. Tribute Dinnerthe future is bright for these five young students

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 chil-

dren of enlisted personnel $20,000 over four years for college.

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. We are proud to report that the scholars’ outlooks are bright:

• Joey, who earned his bachelor’s degree in physics and math, has applied to graduate school to further his studies.

• Crystal is currently enrolled in graduate school pursuing a master’s degree in occupational therapy.

• Kaitlin received a degree in marketing, and is the man-ager of Ann Taylor Loft in Denver.

• Katherine is still enrolled at San Jose State, where she is pursuing an English degree with a focus in creative writing.

• Ryan lives in Boston and works for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Volpe National Transportation Systems Center as a Community Planner.

At the Tribute in D.C. in June, from left, Coast Guard Foundation Trustee Lisa Kazor Christovich, Joey Heimburger, Kaitlin Long, CDR Daniel Christovich, USCG (Ret.), Crystal Marietta, Katherine Wilson-James, and T. Ryan Yowell.

z join us at our upcoming dinners in new york and st. petersburg

33rd annual salute to the united states coast guard, october 10, new york city E Al Roker (far left) will reprise his role as host at this year’s event! Mr. Roker received the Meritorious Public Service Medal from Admiral Papp in 2012. 20th annual tribute to the coast guard seventh district, november 8, st. petersburg E At last year’s Tribute, Seaman Apprentice William Flores was posthumously honored and was represented by his family and the crew of the newly dedicated cutter William Flores. Pictured here is Admiral Papp with the crew of CGC William Flores.

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The Coast Guard Foundation’s events program is an important fundraising tool to help support the men and women of the Coast Guard, and we have a busy schedule for the last several months of 2013, including three dinners celebrating the men and women of the service, and two charity golf tournaments.

h thursday, september 12, seattle: The Pacific Northwest Awards Dinner honors heroism of the men and women of the Coast Guard serving in the 13th District. The dinner’s Honorary Chairman is Frank Foti, President and CEO of Vigor Industrial.

h thursday, october 10, new york city: The Salute to the United States Coast Guard at the Times Square Marriott Marquis in New York City is one of the Coast Guard Foundation’s longest standing traditions. We honor brave Coast Guard personnel from around the country on this night, and will also honor Foundation Trustee, Joseph H. Pyne, and Kirby Corporation.

h friday, september 20, cypress, california: The Southern California Golf Scholarship Golf Tournament, run by Foundation Director Chief R. Angelo Cleffi, USCG (Ret.), raises vital funds for the Foundation’s scholarship program, which has helped more than 250 achieve the dreams of higher education since 1993.

h friday, october 18, stonington, connecticut: The Bear Club Open, which will be run in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association, will raise money for cadet athletics at the Coast Guard Academy. The tournament takes place at Stonington Country Club. Standard registration includes: cart, breakfast, lunch, and attendance of the awards ceremony.

h friday, november 8, st. petersburg, florida: The Tribute to the Seventh Coast Guard District celebrates the bravery of the men and women serving throughout the southern United States.

For additional information about these events or other Foundation events, please contact Director of Special Events, Jean Brown, or call (860) 535-0786, or visit coastguardfoundation.org/events/calendar.

Check out our website for all the latest news, photos and videos…

CoastGuardFoundation.org

z foundation events for fall 2013