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My Coast Guard
Commentary | Sept. 23, 2021

BZ: Congratulations to the winners of the Society of American Indian Government Employees Military Meritorious Service Awards, and more.

By Nicole Bertrand, MyCG Staff

Congratulations to the winners of the Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE) Military Meritorious Service Awards. Petty Officer 2nd Class Dayna Sandoval, an avionics electrical technician assigned to Air Station Sacramento, California, and Petty Officer 2nd Class Corylee Redhorse, a yeoman from Coast Guard Base Los Angeles/Long Beach, California. Both awardees are cited for promoting inclusion of Native Americans and Alaskan Natives in government service, and reflecting attributes best epitomizing the qualities and core values of the Coast Guard. Both will be officially saluted during the 17th Annual Virtual SAIGE National Training Program September 15, 2021. Sandoval proudly represents her tribe, the Red Willow People of Taos Pueblo, New Mexico. She performs ceremonial and tribal duties for the Red Willow People and assists youth interested in the military by providing mentorship and guidance about careers to a community with limited exposure to the Coast Guard and its missions. She sponsored several tribal members to visit Air Station Sacramento, creating an opportunity to experience the daily duties and operations of Coast Guard aviation and the potential for a rewarding career. As a night shift supervisor and a quality assurance inspector, Sandoval managed over 2,500 maintenance labor hours while skillfully leading seven members through a multitude of complex HC-27J maintenance tasks and repairs. 

Redhorse admirably exemplifies the Navajo Nation and its ideals. Organizing a Native American Heritage Month event at Coast Guard Base Los Angeles/Long Beach, he coordinated with 13 tribes from seven different states to share their stories, customs, and rituals. Beyond his work on base, Redhorse represented the Coast Guard at the 75th anniversary of the Iwo Jima flag raising ceremony in Sacaton, Arizona. This event brought awareness of Private 1st Class Ira H. Hayes, a Native American and United States Marine, who fought in the Battle of Iwo Jima in World War II and appeared in the iconic flag-raising photograph atop Mount Suribachi. Bravo Zulu again to Sandoval and Redhorse for this recognition. To learn more contact Juan Torres or call 202-372-4594. You can also read the Society of American Indian Government Employees (SAIGE) to Honor Coast Guard Members ALCOAST 339/21. 

Bravo Zulu to the 2021 Women of Color (WOC) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Awardees. The Coast Guard has honored four exceptional women. They are Ensign Emi Siler, Coast Guard (undergraduate level); Lt. Andrea Molina, C5I Program Management Office (Technology Rising Star); Lt. Mimose Parvilus, MST Lead Cyber Command (Technology Rising Star); and Dr. Sharon Zelmanowitz, Engineering Department Chair, Coast Guard Academy (Technology All-Star). The awards recognize outstanding women from all racial backgrounds in the STEM fields and provide excellent opportunities to showcase the superior achievements of the U.S. Coast Guard's highest performing military and civilian women. The WOC STEM Digital Conference and award ceremonies will be held Oct. 7-9, 2021. WOC has created a virtual event called the digital twin experience (DTX) which provides the attendee in-the-moment experiences akin to attending an in-person event. The 2021 WOC STEM DTX theme is “Reset to Rise: It's a New Day!” For more information, contact Ms. Katheryn King at (443) 463-2444 or email. Please see the Women of Color (WOC) STEM 2021 Awardees and the WOC STEM 2021 Digital Twin Conference ALCOAST 340/21 for more details.

2021 Leadership and Excellence in Diversity Award recipients announced. Bravo Zulu to the three winners. Lt. Andre Jones-Butler, assigned to Air Station Elizabeth City, received the CAPT Edward R. Williams Excellence in Diversity Award-Active Duty or Reserve Officer. Cmdr. Kyra Chin-Dykeman, from PACAREA (PAC-09), was honored with the CAPT Dorothy Stratton Award for Leadership-Active Duty or Reserve Officer. The MCPO Pearl Faurie Award for Leadership-Active Duty or Reserve Enlisted went to Petty Officer 2nd Class Kira Brooke, a maritime enforcement specialist stationed at TACLET South. Through dedication to duty and leading by example, these individuals inspire others while advancing the Coast Guard's outstanding service to the nation. A nine-member panel deliberated over 22 nomination packages across the three categories. Congratulations again to the winners and nominees. For more information about the awards contact Lt.j.g. Molly Sternberg or call 202-475-5004. You can also learn more by reading the 2021 Leadership and Excellence in Diversity Awards ALCOAST 338/21.