Coast Guard Foundation Announces Pacific Awards Dinner

The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education and welfare of Coast Guard members and their families, announced today the details of its Annual 2015 Pacific Area Awards Dinner. 

Held on Thursday, April 23 in San Francisco, the event will recognize Chevron Shipping Company as well as local businessman Dan Hountalas for their support. Coast Guard members from throughout the Pacific Area will also be commended for their acts of heroism and mission excellence.

Chevron Shipping Company is being honored at the Coast Guard Foundation’s 30th Annual Pacific Area Awards dinner for their 30 years of dedicated support of the Coast Guard Foundation and the men and women of the United States Coast Guard. Chevron Shipping has also been a strong supporter of the Foundation’s Fallen Heroes Fund, which provides emergency assistance to the families, friends and shipmates of Coast Guard heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our country. 

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, during the United States Coast Guard’s greatest moment of need, Chevron Shipping stepped up with a major contribution toward the Foundation’s efforts in the devastated Gulf region.

The Coast Guard Foundation’s Guardian Award recognizes those who have demonstrated exemplary commitment and support for the men and women of the United States Coast Guard and their service to the nation. Recipients are caring and dedicated individuals who act consistently with the mission of the Foundation. 

The 2015 award is being presented to Dan Hountalas, an Emeritus Trustee of the Coast Guard Foundation and owner of the Cliff House Restaurant. Hountalas has been hosting an appreciation party for the Coast Guard every year for the last 38 years.

Coast Guard service members being honored at the event include the helicopter crew of CG-6029, Petty Officer Noel Cordero and the crew of the Cutter Alex Haley. Receiving the Admiral Chester R. Bender Award is the crew of CG-6029: LCDR Jim Cooley, LT Adriana Gaenzle, AMT1 Shawn McCann and ASTC Joel Sayers, based out of Astoria, Oregon. The aircrew is being recognized for their heroism during a nighttime rescue in January, 2014. 

Additionally, Petty Officer Noel Cordero, a shopkeeper on the Cutter Alex Haley, is the recipient of the James S. Gracey Award for exemplary professionalism, devotion to duty and excellence. The entire crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Alex Haley, which patrols the waters off the Alaskan coast, is the winner of the Admiral John B. Hayes Award for unit mission excellence. The Alex Haley crew also acts as goodwill ambassadors for the Coast Guard in its homeport of Kodiak, Alaska.

“The Pacific Area Awards Dinner is a really exciting event,” said Anne Brengle, president, Coast Guard Foundation. “The local community has such a connection to the sea and they understand the importance of the Coast Guard’s dedication. It’s humbling to be able to honor the individuals who have made their own commitment to giving back to these brave men and women.”

For many years the event has been held at the Fairmont Hotel, which was owned by one of the Foundation’s long time directors, the late Richard Swig.