The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization
committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and
their families, has announced the 32nd Annual Salute to the United States
Coast Guard will honor The Weather Channel, and the American Bureau of Shipping and its chairman, Robert D. Somerville, on Thursday, Oct. 11 in New York
City.
The event,
which will be hosted by the “Today” show’s Al Roker, pays tribute to the brave U.S.
Coast Guard heroes who risk their lives to save others.
“The Salute
to the Coast Guard honors heroes who risk their lives to save others in need,”
said Anne B. Brengle, president, Coast Guard Foundation, in a foundation press
release. “These brave individuals deserve our admiration and respect, as well
as our support.”
Featured
guests for the evening also include Veronica Kelly and her husband, New York
City Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly. The attendance of Veronica Kelly, a
former Coast Guard reservist, highlights the importance reserve members play in
protecting the nation’s shores and freedom, the foundation says.
The dinner
committee chairman is Clay Maitland, managing partner of International
Registries, Inc., who has served on the Coast Guard Foundation’s board of trustees
for 16 years.
For more
than 25 years, American Bureau of Shipping has been a strong supporter of the
Foundation and its mission. More recently, under Robert Somerville’s leadership,
ABS has supported the sailing program at the Coast Guard Academy, scholarship
programs for enlisted members, and special projects that benefit Coast Guard
members and their families across the country.
“Throughout
his career that spans five decades, Mr. Somerville has been an ardent supporter
of the United States Coast Guard and the brave men and women who serve around
the world,” Brengle says. “The Foundation is proud to pay tribute and thank Mr.
Somerville and ABS for their long-time support of our mission.”
The Weather
Channel will also be honored for the impact it has had highlighting the important
and dangerous mission of the Coast Guard, which it features in two TV
docu-series, Coast Guard Alaska and Coast Guard Florida, produced by Al Roker
Entertainment. Mr. Roker serves as executive producer on both series and hosts
The Weather Channel’s popular morning program, "Wake Up with Al."
“Those who
work closely with the Coast Guard know how vital their mission is, but now the
general public has a front row seat thanks to The Weather Channel,” Brengle says.
For over 40
years, the Coast Guard Foundation has been committed to inspiring leadership,
learning and a proud legacy of service to our nation by supporting the men of
women of the United States Coast Guard. The foundation provides higher
education grants to enlisted personnel, reservists and their children, higher
education financial support for families of Coast Guard members lost in the
line of duty, financial relief to Coast Guard families who have lost
possessions in natural disasters, and support for morale programs, including
funding recreation, exercise and family-oriented facilities.
To reserve a
table or purchase tickets for the Coast Guard Foundation’s 32nd Annual Salute
to the United States Coast Guard visit the foundation website,
or call its Benefit Office in New York City at (212) 245-6570 or its national
headquarters at 860-535-0786.