The following is the text of a news release from the Coast Guard Foundation:
(ANCHORAGE, Alaska) — The Coast Guard Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to the education and welfare of all Coast Guard members and their families, honored the men and women who serve in Alaska at its biennial Alaska Awards Dinner at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage on Wednesday, Aug. 13.
Geraldo Rivera, world-class sailor and Fox News senior correspondent, and Sig Hansen, captain of the F/V Northwestern and star of the Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch," joined the Coast Guard Foundation to pay tribute to those who serve in this region — an area known for challenging weather and sea conditions. Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, commandant of the Coast Guard; Vice Adm. Charles Ray, commander of the Coast Guard’s Pacific Area; Rear Adm. Daniel Abel, commander of the 17th Coast Guard District; Alaska Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell; and Alaska's congressional delegation — Sen. Lisa Murkoswki, Sen. Mark Begich and Rep. Donald Young — were also slated to attend.
Just this year alone, the Coast Guard Foundation has funded more than $55,000 worth of morale, wellness and recreation gear for seven cutters, two air stations and three land-based stations in the state of Alaska. In addition, the foundation provides scholarship programs for use by Alaska-based Coast Guard members, their children and spouses to help finance their goals of achieving a higher education.
“For more than two centuries, the United States Coast Guard has safeguarded our citizens, secured our maritime borders and served as a responsible steward of the world’s oceans,” said Anne Brengle, president, Coast Guard Foundation. “We are delighted to have Mr. Rivera and Mr. Hansen to help us honor the incredible heroism of the Coast Guard members serving in one of the most challenging regions in the world.”
To learn more about the Coast Guard Foundation or to help support its work, visit www.coastguardfoundation.org.
