R 132150Z JUL 10

ALCOAST 374/10
COMDTNOTE 1650
SUBJ: AMERICAN LEGION SPIRIT OF SERVICE
1.  I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THE COAST GUARD WINNER OF THE AMERICAN
LEGION SPIRIT OF SERVICE AWARD.  THIS AWARD IS PRESENTED TO A
MEMBER OF EACH MILITARY SERVICE, AND THIS YEAR, AVIATION SURVIVAL
TECHNICIAN LAKE DOWNHAM HAS BEEN SELECTED AS THE COAST GUARD HONOREE.
PETTY OFFICER DOWNHAM IS RECOGNIZED FOR HIS OUTSTANDING MILITARY
PERFORMANCE AND EXCEPTIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS AS A VOLUNTEER.
2.  PETTY OFFICER DOWNHAMS PERSONAL COMMITMENT TO HUMANITARIAN
SERVICE IS AN INSPIRATION TO THOSE AROUND HIM.  DRIVEN TO IMPROVE THE
LIVES OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND WITH A BIAS
FOR ACTION THAT GOES FAR BEYOND FUNDRAISING, HE AND HIS WIFE PROFILED
A CALIFORNIA-BASED OPERATION IN 2008, AND IMPROVED ON THE CONCEPT TO
FORM THE NON-PROFIT, BEST DAY FOUNDATION NJ CHAPTER.  THIS FOUNDATION
AIMS TO PROVIDE A SAFE MEANS TO INVOLVE CHILDREN WITH AUTISM, DOWN
SYNDROME, CEREBRAL PALSY, BLINDNESS, CANCER, SPINAL CORD INJURIES,
AND OTHER PHYSICAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL CHALLENGES IN OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
TO BUILD CONFIDENCE AND SELF-ESTEEM.  ACTIVITIES TO DATE HAVE
INCLUDED SURFING, BOOGIE-BOARDING, KAYAKING, AND SNOW TUBING.  AS
CO-CHAIRMAN OF THE ORGANIZATION, AST2 DOWNHAM RAISED FUNDS, SOLICITED
SPONSORS, AND RECRUITED AND ORGANIZED OVER 225 VOLUNTEERS TO PRESENT
EIGHT SPECIALLY-TAILORED EVENTS FOR 180 SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN IN
2009.  IN 2010 TO DATE, AST2 DOWNHAM HAS ORGANIZED SIX EVENTS FOR 210
CHILDREN, AND HAS FOUR MORE EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR THE SUMMER FOR 140
CHILDREN.  IN ADDITION TO THESE 10 EVENTS, THERE ARE TENTATIVE PLANS
IN WORK FOR WINTER EVENTS LEADING TO THE END OF THE CALENDAR YEAR.
THE EVENTS ARE SO POPULAR THAT REGISTRATIONS TYPICALLY FILL-UP THE
FIRST DAY AND HAVE EXPANDED IN SIZE FROM 25 TO 35 CHILDREN WITH OTHER
CHILDREN ON A WAITING LIST.  ATTESTING TO THE POWER OF AST2 DOWNHAMS
PERSONAL CHARISMA, WORKING ON THE STAFF OF THE BEST DAY OUTINGS HAS
BECOME A POPULAR VOLUNTEER SERVICE OUTREACH FOR MANY AIR STATION
MEMBERS.  SUCCESS IN THE ATLANTIC CITY AREA HAS INSPIRED AST2 DOWNHAM
TO WORK EVEN HARDER TO BROADEN BEST DAYS OUTREACH.  HE HELPED LAUNCH
TWO ADDITIONAL BEST DAY CHAPTERS IN SEA BRIGHT, NJ AND VENTURA, CA.
HIS UNSELFISH DEVOTION TO HELPING OTHERS PLUS HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO
THE LOCAL AND MILITARY COMMUNITY MAKE HIM MOST DESERVING OF THE
AMERICAN LEGION SPIRIT OF SERVICE AWARD.
3.  CONGRATULATIONS TO PETTY OFFICER DOWNHAM ON HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS
WHICH HAVE EARNED HIM THIS PRESTIGIOUS RECOGNITION.
4.  THE FOLLOWING NOMINEES WHO WERE RECOMMENDED DESERVE HONORABLE
MENTION FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTIONS.  WELL DONE.
      A.  SK1 JANIQUE M. BUTLER, AIR STATION WASHINGTON
      B.  FN  STEPHEN A. CANTU, USCGC KNIGHT ISLAND
      C.  OS2 NATHANIEL J. CHAPMAN, SECTOR SEATTLE
      D.  IS2 RYAN M. COFFIN, CRYPTOLOGIC UNIT - COLORADO
      E.  YN2 AMBERLEI A. FOLSOM, DISTRICT SEVEN
      F.  MK2 PETER H. GERTSCH, USCG RAID TEAM X, IRAQ
      G.  BM3 SEAN F. NELSON, STATION SEATTLE
      H.  FS2 NICOLE STEELE, USCGC EAGLE
5.  RELEASED BY CAPT C. P. CALHOUN, ACTING DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL
MANAGEMENT.
6.  INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.