Editor's note: Click on image below for video
Lt. Kevin Connell, commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton and James Sexton, son of Petty Officer 1st Class Charles Sexton, talk before the commissioning of the cutter on March 8, 2014 at Sector Key West. Fla. Charles Sexton was a Coast Guardsman whose courage was recognized as he was posthumously awarded the Coast Guard medal for extraordinary heroism. U.S. Coast Guard video by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sabrina Laberdesque.
(Left to right) Petty Officer 1st Class Nicole Thomas, first officer of the deck of the Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton; Lt. Kevin Connell, commanding officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton; and Lt. j.g. Graham Sherman, executive officer of the Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton stand at the stern of the of the cutter Sexton before its commissioning March 8, 2014. Charles Sexton was a Coast Guardsman whose courage was recognized as he was posthumously awarded the Coast Guard Medal for extraordinary heroism. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sabrina Laberdesque.
Coast Guard Color Guard presents the colors at the Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton commissioning held at Coast Guard Sector Key West, Fla., March 8, 2014. The Charles Sexton is the second Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutter to be homeported in Key West and is capable of conducting missions such as ports, waterways and coastal security, fishery patrols, drug and illegal migrant law enforcement, search and rescue, and national-defense operations. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sabrina Laberdesque.
Rear Adm. Jake Korn, U.S. Coast Guard Seventh District commander, gives the principal address during the Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton’s commissioning ceremony at Coast Guard Sector Key West, March 8, 2014. The Charles Sexton is the second Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutter to be home-ported in Key West. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sabrina Laberdesque.
Michelle Sexton, daughter and sponsor of the Coast Guard Cutter Charles Sexton, presents a plaque with Sexton's posthumously awarded Coast Guard Medal for extraordinary heroism, to Lt. Kevin Connell, commanding officer of the Charles Sexton, during the cutter's commissioning ceremony March 8, 2014. Michelle Sexton is Charles Sexton’s daughter. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sabrina Laberdesque.
James Sexton, the son of Petty officer 1st Class Charles Sexton, hands the first officer of the deck, Petty officer 1st Class Nicole Thomas, the ship's long glass in the traditional ceremony of setting the first watch at US Coast Guard Sector Key West, Fla., March 8, 2014. The officer of the deck is the commanding officer’s direct representative and, while on watch, is in charge of safety and smooth operation of the ship and crew. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sabrina Laberdesque.