Al Roker, Staff Receive CG Service Award

WASHINGTON — The Coast Guard honored NBC weatherman Al Roker with the service’s Meritorious Public Service Award at a ceremony August 21 at Coast Guard Headquarters.

Roker and staff from Al Roker Entertainment received the award for exceptional advocacy of the Coast Guard through broadcasts of The Weather Channel’s popular primetime series “Coast Guard Alaska.”

The program gives viewers an inside look into the world of Coast Guardsmen stationed in rugged Kodiak, Alaska, as they conduct dangerous search and rescue missions in the harsh environment.

"Al Roker and Al Roker Entertainment's production of the show 'Coast Guard Alaska' tells the story of Coast Guardsmen, our missions, and our heritage," said Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Bob Papp. "The show also tells the story of the courage, devotion, and support of Coast Guard families and the close bonds that we forge with neighbors as Coast Guard units are part of our local communities."

Roker is co-host and weatherman of NBC’s “Today Show," The Weather Channel's "Wake Up with Al" and a 12-time Emmy winner.  He is CEO of Al Roker Entertainment which produces programs for cable and network television. C. Russell Muth, executive producer, Tracie Brennan, executive in charge of production, and Ed Tricomi, supervising producer, represented the production company at the award ceremony.

“The success of ‘Coast Guard Alaska’ is really telling of how fascinated fans are with our country’s Coast Guard and the remarkable stories of true heroism,” said Roker. “We are proud to help share the mission and accomplishments of the Coast Guard to viewers all over the country and are honored to receive this prestigious award.”

"Since the show began, Mr. Roker’s team has worked hard to understand the Coast Guard and tell our story to the American people," said Papp. "My shipmates and I look forward to future episodes of ‘Coast Guard Alaska’ and the arrival of ‘Coast Guard Florida’ this season."

The Coast Guard Meritorious Public Service Award is given to recognize: unusual courage in advancing a Coast Guard mission; substantial contribution to the Coast Guard that produced tangible results; and specific individual accomplishments that provide unique benefits to the public.