Guardians,
Last week we participated in two events that recognized the performance of our people. The first was the the National IMAGE Conference and Banquet held in San Diego and the second was the Coast Guard Foundation's Salute to the Guardians of the Heartland in New Orleans.
The theme of the National Image Conference this year was "Reaching New Heights Through Leadership Development, Partnering, and Outreach." National IMAGE, Inc. is a national, non-profit association established in 1972 by concerned Mexican Americans in the federal government. Their mission is to develop and increase employment and educational opportunities and to further the advancement of Hispanics. At this year's banquet 15 individuals from all five services and the Department of Defense were recognized for their achievements. It was my honor to deliver the keynote address on Thursday evening.
Coast Guard personnel who were recognized included:
LT David Fernandez, President of the San Francisco Chapter of the Association of Naval Sea Officers (ANSO).
HS1 Elias Gomez, USCGC MOHWAK, who distinguished himself caring for those wounded in Haiti following the devastating earthquake in January.
Auxiliarist, Dr. Mary Gibbons, Fifth District, who supports units in the Hampton Roads area and has been instrumental in the 200-mile Tom's Run and fund raising for Leukemia research.
Coast Guard personnel also participated in booths in the exhibit hall, workshops, and panels. Our thanks to CAPT Charlie Diaz who served as the banquet MC, Chaplain Leroy Young, Reserve Petty Officer Mike Dalager who sang the National Anthem, the Coast Guard Brass Ensemble who provided musical support, and the Coast Guard Honor Guard. Local Coast Guard units also conducted a very popular SAR demonstration for the attendees.
Thanks also to Mr. Manuel Oliverez, Chairman and CEO on National IMAGE for his leadership and collaboration.
Following the keel laying ceremony for the USCGC BERNARD C. WEBBER in Lockport, LA on Friday morning, we traveled to New Orleans for the Coast Guard Foundation Guardian of the Heartland Award Dinner.
Honored this year was the crew of CG 6540 from Air Station New Orleans for the rescue of 4 persons from a capsized 17 foot boat in Lake Pontchartrain on 17 October 2009. Together with the Saint Tammany Parish Sheriffs Office the crew saved all 4 persons. Notable in this rescue was the work of AST1 Brian Lauberstein who located a small child in the water who was severely hypothermic. The child had a core body temperature of 82 degrees intermittent vital signs. AST1 Lauberstein initiated CPR and continued until the child was delivered to a hospital where he miraculously recovered. Later his grandfather was rescued after 24 hours in the water. We salute the other members of the flight crew as well: CDR Bill Irwin, LTJG Daniel Miller, and AET2 Kevin Garcia.
As we have noted many times on this blog and elsewhere, the Coast Guard Foundation provides incredible support to our personnel and families. This was the best event in the history of the New Orleans dinner and we congratulate all of those who devoted so much time to insure its success.
ADM A
