TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — United States Coast Guard Air Station Traverse City announces the City of Traverse City has received its designation renewal as a Coast Guard City.
The official presentation and celebration will take place at Traverse City's Open Space Park during the National Cherry Festival’s opening ceremonies Saturday at noon.
The opening ceremonies will be held on the cherry blast stage in the festival open space.
Many cities have made extraordinary efforts to support Coast Guard families. Helping Coast Guard families feel at home in their “home away from home” is an invaluable contribution to morale, service excellence and mission execution. The Coast Guard City program recognizes those communities that show long-term exceptional support to the Coast Guard team. Traverse City was originally designated as a Coast Guard City in 2010, but the designation is not intended as a lifetime award, but as recognition of an active and ongoing city commitment to support and honor the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard City designation remains in effect for five years, after which the city is required to apply for recertification.
"Traverse City is a remarkable community that puts forth tremendous effort to support Coast Guard men, women and families," said Capt. Sean Cross, commanding officer of Air Station Traverse City. "Re-designation as a Coast Guard City officially recognizes and acknowledges over 60 years of community support to our air station team. We are very fortunate to call Traverse City our home."
“We are excited to be a part of this announcement," said David Barr, president of the National Cherry Festival. “We are very proud of our partnerships with the men and women of Air Station Traverse City and the city” said Barr.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to receive this news," said Traverse City Mayor Mike Estes, echoing Barr's statements. "The City of Traverse City, our Coast Guard City Committee and our Cherry Capital Airport and National Cherry Festival partners, put a great deal of effort into the recertification efforts, and it’s a great outcome.”
Cross will present the Coast Guard City re-designation letter to Estes.
To learn more about Coast Guard City designation, visit www.uscg.mil/community/Coast_Guard_Cities.asp.