ALCOAST 299/18 - AUG 2018 2018 NATIONAL IMAGE MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT

R 241159 AUG 18
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-00H//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01650//
ALCOAST 299/18
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ: 2018 NATIONAL IMAGE MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT
1. I am honored to announce and congratulate Ms. Karen Gonzalez, a Construction
Manager at Civil Engineering Unit (CEU) Miami, as the Coast Guard 2018 National
IMAGE Meritorious Service Award recipient. This award honors service members and
civilian employees who have supported U.S. Coast Guard's missions, or whose
attributes best epitomized the Coast Guard's Core Values of Honor, Respect, and
Devotion to Duty.
2. Following the massive destruction caused by Hurricane Maria, Ms. Gonzalez
coordinated the CEU's contractor operations in the restoration of accessibility,
significantly cutting down on project delays and mitigating any further damage to
facilities. Additionally, she supported ground logistics for first responders to
establish lodging and resources in severely deteriorated areas while securing
over $300 million dollars of hurricane relief funds for Coast Guard units on the
island of Puerto Rico. As part of the deployed reconstitution team, Ms. Gonzalez
served as CEU Miami’s lead representative in Puerto Rico where she developed
plans for local workforces to temporarily convert existing homes into medical
facilities and ensured continued treatment for Coast Guard members and families.
In addition to her duties, she served as a project lead volunteer with the
not-for-profit organization Engineers Without Borders, to provide a viable water
supply system to an underdeveloped community in Honduras. Her dedication,
judgment, and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of the
U.S. Coast Guard.
3. I commend Ms. Gonzalez for her outstanding contributions, achievements, and
exemplary service. She will be officially recognized and honored at the Salute
to the Military Celebration Dinner during the 46th National Image, Inc., National
Training Program on September 13, 2018 at the Adam’s Mark Hotel and Convention
Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
4. Civil Rights programs help maximize the Coast Guard's overall mission
effectiveness by fostering a discrimination free environment through
recognition of members' accomplishments and contributions to civil rights,
equal opportunity, minority communities, and Partnership in Education (PIE)
programs. Learn more about the USCG civil rights vision, mission, awards
programs and CG PIE at: https://www.uscg.mil/Resources/Civil-Rights/. POC is
Mr. Juan Torres at juan.l.torres@uscg.mil.
5. Dr. Terri A. Dickerson, Director, Civil Rights Directorate, sends.
6. Internet release authorized.