Coast Guard Foundation to present annual salute to the United States Coast Guard

USCG Munro Crew Interdicts Suspected Drug Smuggling Vessel © U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area

The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education and well-being of all Coast Guard members and their families, announced today that it will hold its 39th annual Salute to the United States Coast Guard, one of the Foundation's longest standing traditions. The Salute to the United States Coast Guard will take place on Thursday October 3, 2019 at the Times Square Marriott Marquis in New York City and will honor the Organization's fifty-year legacy of support to the Coast Guard.

At this year's event, the Coast Guard Cutter Munro, Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) and Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team (PACTACLET) will be honored for excellence. USCGC Munro received national acclaim and international attention for a dramatic interception and boarding of a drug smuggling semi-submersible in the Eastern Pacific Ocean. On June 17, 2019, Munro and PACTACLET crewmembers, in coordination with the deployed HITRON asset intercepted and boarded the drug laden semi-submersible. Munro and PACTACLET crewmembers leapt onto the moving sub in order to gain positive control of the vessel and safely remove the crew. This boarding resulted in the confiscation of 17,000 pounds of cocaine, totaling $232 million, and the detention of five suspected smugglers. The CGC Munro returned from a three-month deployment on July 11, during which they offloaded contraband from 14 drug seizures totaling 39,000 pounds of cocaine and 933 pounds of marijuana, with a combined worth of $569 million.

The Foundation will also recognize long-time board member and top donor, Mr. Clay Maitland for his many years of outstanding support, chairmanship of this event and membership on the Foundation's Board of Directors. Maitland's lifetime giving to the Foundation tops $2 million and makes him the largest overall donor in the organization's 50-year history. Admiral Karl Schultz will deliver keynote remarks. Vice-Commandant Admiral Charles Ray and District One Commander Rear Admiral Andrew Tiongsen will be in attendance. National Commodore of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Larry King, will be a special guest. The Coast Guard Academy Glee Club and Coast Guard Band will perform at the evening's festivities.

"In the past fifty years, the Coast Guard Foundation has proudly raised over $139 million in support of the Coast Guard," said Susan Ludwig, president, Coast Guard Foundation. "From our earliest days supporting cadets at the Coast Guard Academy, to today's commitment to service-wide morale, infrastructure and fitness and wellness to support the Coast Guard in all the places that members and families live. The men and women of the Service consistently conduct themselves professionally, selflessly and often go above and beyond the call of duty to protect those they are sworn to serve. We humbly offer all that we can help to improve their way of life and thank our supporters and donors for their assistance in our mission."

To learn more about the Coast Guard Foundation or to help support its work, please visit www.coastguardfoundation.org.