U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class John Poli reflects on his partnership with military working dog K-9 Ani at Maritime Safety and Security Team New York in Staten Island, N.Y., May 13, 2025. (U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Derek Dodge)
Rear Adm. Francis “Stash” Pelkowski is a veteran, merchant mariner, maritime industry business leader, licensed attorney and a professor at SUNY Maritime College. To say the 58-year-old father has accomplished a lot in life is a gross understatement. However, to hear him describe his early adult years leading to his enlistment in 1980, his present-day success and many achievements were far from predictable.
Thirty-eight years later,...
The Coast Guard prides itself on honor, respect and devotion to duty for the men and women in its ranks. Once a year, a member of the Coast Guard is selected as the top performer in the service for the active duty and the reserve component through the enlisted person of the year program.
