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Water Ways Ray Pendleton |
A chance to support
the Coast GuardThere's no question that Hawaii's recreational boaters are very familiar with the U.S. Coast Guard, especially after the horrific events of 9/11.
With security along our waterways at a near-wartime level, the Guard's water and airborne presence of cutters and 'copters is comfortingly all around us, 24/7.
Worldwide, since 9/11, Guard units have conducted over 36,000 port security patrols, over 3,600 air patrols, over 2,000 boardings of "high interest" vessels and over 10,000 search-and-rescue cases and saved over 3,600 lives.
Assisting them are the civilian members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, which our state's boaters should easily recognize for their outstanding work in boating safety education and boat safety inspections.
There is, however, another, smaller group connected to the Guard that many people may not be acquainted with called the Coast Guard Foundation.
The Foundation is a national, nonprofit organization that raises funds for special morale projects and educational programs that cannot be fulfilled through the Guard's federal appropriations budget.
These projects and programs range from special financial support through its "Evergreen Fund" to scholarship funding for active-duty enlisted personnel and their families, and from the purchase of recreational equipment and infrastructures to providing free calling cards during the holidays.
Naturally, with more than 1,200 Guard units and some 39,000 personnel to deal with, the task can become daunting.
Here in the Coast Guard's 14th District, which reaches from Hawaii past Guam, the Foundation has been able to provide exercise and recreational equipment aboard cutters and at numerous bases.
Also, some 50 enlisted personnel received education grants to help with their off-duty education expenses and Foundation members were proud to sponsor Aiea resident Adeline del Rosario as a Foundation Scholar during her four years at Chaminade.
Currently, plans are under way to upgrade the heavily used recreational facilities in the 14th District, such as the ballpark at the Integrated Support Command on Sand Island.
As its major fund-raiser in recent years, Hawaii's Foundation has established an annual "Tribute to the Coast Guard in Hawaii" dinner to honor and benefit the dedicated men and women "Coasties" stationed here.
This year, the dinner and a silent auction will be held on March 26 from 6 to 9:30 p.m., in the Tapa Ballroom of the Hilton Hawaiian Village. And if it's anything like last year, the attendees list will look like a who's who of corporate Honolulu.
Tables for 10 may be reserved for "Silver Sponsors" for $1,500 (includes cocktail reception, silent auction and recognition in program), for "Gold Sponsors" for $5,000 (includes the preceding, plus half-page recognition and invitations for two to a shipboard reception on March 25) and for "Platinum Sponsors" for $15,000 (includes the preceding, plus VIP seating, full-page recognition and six invitations to the reception).
Reservations for tables and individual dinner seating for $150 each will be available until March 19, which is also the deadline for donations to the silent auction.
Anyone wishing tickets or additional information regarding this special event can contact the Coast Guard Tribute Headquarters at 808-262-8127, or by e-mail at CoastGuardTribute@hawaii.rr.com.
See the Columnists section for some past articles.
Ray Pendleton is a free-lance writer based in Honolulu.
His column runs Saturdays in the Star-Bulletin.
He can be reached by e-mail at raypendleton@mac.com.
