Coast Guard sector New Orleans honored for 2021 Hurricane Ida response
by Coast Guard Foundation 2 Apr 2022 14:51 PDT
March 11, 2022
From left: Eighth District Cmdr. Rear Adm. Richard Timme; Sector New Orleans Cmdr. Capt. Will Watson; Deputy Sector Cmdr. Capt. Kelly Denning; Susan Ludwig; Command Master Chief Rekiya Janssen; Cmdr. Joseph Hart; Tom Allegretti; & COMDT Adm. Karl Schultz © Coast Guard Foundation
The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to strengthening the Coast Guard community and service by supporting members and families, announced that more than 530 guests gathered under the vintage military aircraft adorning the National WWII Museum in New Orleans Friday, March 11, to honor Coast Guard members. The Coast Guard Foundation's Tribute to the Eighth Coast Guard District event recognized Coast Guard Sector New Orleans for the unit's response to historic Hurricane Ida, which devastated a large swath of the Gulf Coast August 29, 2021.
"When you assist people during the most difficult times in their lives, either after a death or after witnessing their homes being destroyed, you can't help but be transformed by the experience," said Susan Ludwig, president, Coast Guard Foundation. "We take our jobs seriously and our support personally," she continued while thanking the evening's sponsors.
"The Foundation is thankful for the generous support of event sponsor Bollinger Shipyards, and reception sponsors Cheniere Energy, Harvey Gulf International Marine, and Otto Candies, LLC, as well all who sponsored the event, which raised more than $770,000 for programs that assist Coast Guard members and families nationwide."
The Foundation also honored the memory of longtime board member and marine transportation executive Otto Candies, Jr., who died in February 2021. Candies started the Coast Guard Foundation's New Orleans event with fellow board member Boysie Bollinger and served as the dinner chairman for most of its history. Since 1994, the event has raised more than $9 million for Foundation programs that support Coast Guard members.
To learn more about the Coast Guard Foundation, or to help support its work, please visit www.coastguardfoundation.org or call (860) 535-0786.