A message from the Coast Guard Foundation President

by Jennifer Crowley Fyke 29 Apr 2020 22:46 AEST

The Coast Guard's immediate and long term needs that arise because of the COVID-19 global pandemic will be met with support from the Coast Guard Foundation's Emergency Response Fund.

The U.S. Coast Guard is America's maritime first responders -- its marine ambulance crews, law enforcement officers, and emergency managers -- and the homeland heroes we turn to in our time of need.

And now, with each new day, Coast Guard members battle the spread of the coronavirus, in their ranks and their communities, as they continue to stand the watch and fulfill their duty to our Nation.

Coast Guard members are facing new challenges at every turn. A lifesaving rescue mission brings new invisible risks from coronavirus exposure. As cruise ships dock with desperate Americans, Coast Guard members protect the citizens of major cities from the virus while safely evacuating the sick to critically needed medical care, all while exposing themselves to the disease.

All across the country, Coast Guard members continue mission-critical assignments to inspect cargo ships for disease while keeping ports open to critical products such as fuel, food, medical equipment, and consumer goods, ensuring grocery stores are stocked, and delivery trucks keep moving.

While we are safe at home, they do this because their devotion to duty does not allow them to stop.

Over the past week, we have supported multiple Coast Guard quarantine spaces around the country, and we are identifying new critical needs of Coast Guard members daily. We are proud to partner with the Coast Guard Chief Petty Officers Association to identify and deliver support where and when it is needed most.

Through our Emergency Response Fund, we are fulfilling crucial Coast Guard needs in the following areas:

• Support front-line Coast Guard members: For those impacted, we are providing equipment and supplies to keep members' healthy and morale high.
• Support mental health and resilience for Coast Guard members and families: As the COVID-19 crisis continues, we are working closely with the Coast Guard to strengthen the health and well-being of Coast Guard members and their families.
• Ensure Coast Guard members remain mission ready: With our assistance, training centers, deployed cutters, and other critical bases will receive recreation support to keep members active on the job so they will be ready for all mission assignments.
• Provide tragedy assistance for Coast Guard families: In the event of a death of an active-duty member, we will be there with immediate financial and morale support to help shipmates and families mourn and heal.

Every time they confront an obstacle, the service comes together to serve our Nation with honor, respect, and devotion to duty. While this current crisis is new and some of what we will face is undetermined, what we do know is the Coast Guard will rise to this test, and the Coast Guard Foundation will be there every step of the way, providing critical care and support where and when they need it the most.