Lake Downham, NJ Chapter Co-Chair Awarded 2009 Military Service Member of the Year Award

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD - Aviation Survival Technician Second Class (AST2) Lake Downham is assigned to USCG Air Station Atlantic City, where he is thus far credited with saving nine lives and assisting in five rescues. He joined the Coast Guard in 2000, serving as a Boatswain mate in Hawaii and California; while in California, he qualified as a Coast Guard diver, making dives assisting in port security, counter drug sweeps, and vessel safety and maintenance inspections. He subsequently qualified as an aircrew member and rescue swimmer, excelling in all facets of the curriculum, and setting a record for the 2000-yard gear swim that still stands. AST2 Downham applies his skills to his volunteer efforts on behalf of local kids with special needs as co-chair (with his fiancé) of the Best Day Foundation, NJ Chapter.

He has been awarded the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, (for saving three lives from the vessel Green Eyes), and three CG Commandant’s Letters of Commendation. Aviation Survival Technician Second Class Downham resides in Seabright, NJ.

The Battleship New Jersey will welcome aboard Lake and the four other recipients of the USO of Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey (Liberty USO) 2009 Military Service Member of the Year Awards on Friday, Oct. 2, at 9:30 am.

These military men and women will be honored at “Heart of a Hero,” the 68th Liberty Gala, on Friday evening, October 4, at the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia (Penn’s Landing). The annual awards, given to one service member from each of the five branches of the US Armed Services, is the highest military honor bestowed by the Liberty USO.

Liberty USO is proud to announce its 2009 Military Service Members of the Year: United States Air Force Master Sergeant (MSgt) Bubba Beason, Ft. Dix, NJ;  United States Army Master Sergeant (MSG) Jonathan Smith, Red Lion, PA;  United States Coast Guard Aviation Survival Technician Second Class (AST2) Lake Downham, Margate, NJ; United States Marine Corps  Sergean (SGT) Kristopher Stoner, Delaware County, PA; and United States Navy Yeoman First Class (YN1) Kelda Lang, Perkasie, PA.

Our congratulations to Lake and his fellow "Heart of Hero" awardees.