Guardians of 2010: June

Written by: Christopher Lagan

Each week Coast Guard Compass honors members of the Coast Guard family as “Guardian of the Week” for their leadership, devotion to duty, and contributions to our service. As we close out 2010, we’re looking back over the year to celebrate the contributions of the Guardians of 2010. Today, we revisit those recognized in June 2010.

MST1 Carrie Grady – June 5, 2010

We kicked off June with the 2009 Coast Guard Enlisted Person of the Year, a tremendous honor considering her competition was the 34,000 active duty members of the world’s greatest lifesaving service.

“Throughout the year she demonstrated seemingly superhuman qualities,” Lt. Cmdr. JoAnne Hanson, executive officer of the Pacific Strike Team where Grady was transferred in July 2009. “She took on and managed an impressive amount of responsibility, and the sheer quantity and quality of her work was awe inspiring.”

YN1 Stephenie Winslow – June 11, 2010

Teamwork is critical to success aboard a Coast Guard cutter and no one is more of a team player than Petty Officer 1st Class Stephenie Winslow.

“Winslow’s work has been second to none,” said Cmdr. James Spotts, commander of Tahoma. “Her administration of personnel matters is proactive and precise.” This, however, pales in comparison to the list of positions aboard the Tahoma she has volunteered for: assistant to the maritime law enforcement officer, primary maritime law enforcement boarding officer, special response team gunner, boat crew member, in-port officer of the deck, morale committee president, human relations council secretary, unit health promotion coordinator, health and wellness committee member and medical team member.

Congressman Bill Delahunt – June 18, 2010

A Congressman may seem like a curious choice for Guardian of the Week until you hear Bill Delahunt’s story.

Rep. Bill Delahunt, Mass., served as a Radarman in the Coast Guard Reserves from 1963 to 1971. Since being elected to Congress in 1997 he has been a strong patron of the service and its members. It was his initiative that led to the formation of the bipartisan Coast Guard Caucus, and his advocacy and love for the service is well known among the Coast Guard leadership.

MST3 Hector Concepcion – June 25, 2010

Petty Officer 3rd Class Concepcion taught us the true meaning of Always Ready; whether at your job as a pollution inspector, as a leader of your district’s human relations committee, on the field as a youth baseball coach, or saving a life when you witness a car accident.

“I acted out of instinct,” said Concepcion. “Moments like that are when you realize why the Coast Guard stresses Semper Paratus, so you are ready to react in the correct and safest manner.”

Congratulations to all of the Guardians of 2010! Come back tomorrow as we pay tribute to the Guardians of the Week for July 2010.