Three members of the Coast Guard and one non-government employee have received the Coast Guard’s 2022 LATINA Distinguished Military Service Award for their outstanding service, leadership, achievement, and dedication to their mission and community during the June 2021 to June 2022 awards period. They are:
LATINA The organization awarded each individual with this honor to recognize their unwavering commitment to encouraging and promoting the work of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the Coast Guard. LATINA Style annually honors the achievements of women serving in the military to coincide with Hispanic Heritage Month, which is observed annually from September 15 to October 15.
A first-generation American, McElhaney immigrated to the United States from Alcala de Henares, Spain in 2007 and joined the Coast Guard in 2008. McElhaney’s heritage, experiences, and perspective as a non-native have shaped his Coast Guard career.
“My heritage is an important part of my experience in the Coast Guard, from the way I communicate with others like English as a second language, to my ability to succeed in the teams and ‘job families’ assigned to me as I move from unit to unit,” McElhaney said. “Coming from a corporate culture, the nature of the Coast Guard team suited me, so in many ways I think my heritage has helped me succeed in the organization.”
Before joining the Coast Guard, McElhaney taught Spanish at a middle school on a military base in Maryland. His educational background drew him to the Coast Guard’s Partnership in Education (PIE) program, which promotes educational opportunities and raises awareness about the Service in local communities. He strengthened MSU Cleveland’s relationship with the local high school to help bring underrepresented people to the waterfront and expose them to potential careers in the Coast Guard.
During the award, McElhaney also formed a strong and unique relationship with the Recruiting Office Cleveland, where he leveraged his unique background to help build recruiting strategies that focused on the success of underrepresented members in the Coast Guard and implemented strategies to remove barriers to recruiting. His continued efforts not only helped the recruiting process, but built a home for himself within the Coast Guard.
“For me, the most important question is not what made me enter the profession, but what made me stay all these years?” And that answer is undoubtedly our people and the sense of belonging to the organization and the country that the Coast Guard has given me. “
Gonzalez’s family immigrated to the United States from El Salvador before he was born. He became interested in the Coast Guard while growing up in New London County because his family participated in the Coast Guard Academy family program where they sponsored a Honduran International Cadet. The program connects local families of volunteers and cadets to provide a home away from home and help make the cadet’s integration into the life of the Academy easier and more efficient.
“Going to campus to support my Sponsor Sister and participating in various Coast Guard Academy activities, I was always grateful for the kindness and camaraderie of the cadets,” said Gonzalez. “I knew I wanted to be a part of that kind of community,” he added. Gonzalez followed his dream and was accepted to the Coast Guard Academy in 2018 and graduated this year in 2022.
During the award, Gonzalez served as the commanding officer of the weather station (RWCO) at the Coast Guard Academy, where he trained cadets in success and created a way for them to embrace diversity and inclusion within the Corps of Cadets. Gonzalez has brought his peers together through his involvement and leadership in several collaborative groups while also serving as a volunteer to support New London’s Hispanic and Latin American communities. Gonzalez continues to strive to be a strong role model for others, and to inspire young girls to reach for dreams they may not have thought possible.
“I am very grateful to my family, who raised me to be proud of my heritage and I am very dedicated to see my siblings and I succeed. Growing up, I never saw people like me in the jobs I wanted. Now, I hope that I can be that role model and mentor to young girls like me.”
Petty Officer 2nd Class Johanna Polanco-Garcia
Polanco-Garcia sets the standard by example, especially among Latinas and Hispanic women in the Coast Guard. Hailing from the Dominican Republic, Polanco Garcia is always proud of his heritage.
“The most important thing to me in terms of my heritage is the opportunity to share my roots with my shipmates,” he said. “Many times, while on the boat, I helped the cooks with Spanish dishes such as Patacones (fried dumplings) and other foods. Being able to maintain and represent my upbringing while doing my jobs is something to be thankful for. “
Polanco-Garcia also represents her heritage while performing her duties by acting as the first interpreter aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba. During the award, he played a key role in strengthening the Coast Guard’s relationship with other key countries during the Joint Interagency Task Force South counter-drug patrol. His contributions furthered the plan to help the United States and regional countries carry out their shared mission of combating organized crime in the Western Hemisphere.
“To be recognized with this award is an honor. That’s not what I was working for, so it surprised me,” he said. “I wanted to work for a country that gave me many opportunities and would give me a way to become a strong woman.”
Matos, a shipbuilder at OPC PRO, was recognized during the awards ceremony for providing exceptional advice and promoting self-development among colleagues, future leaders, and students in the field of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). A member of Great Minds in STEM, Matos helped Spanish students understand engineering theory and gain knowledge in practical applications. He spoke of valuing the engineering profession and pride in his Latina heritage through outreach, workplace development, and cultural education.
“It makes me proud to share that innate drive to learn, to teach others, and to fight for opportunities for all to be part of a level playing field,” said Matos. “I pray that I am in some way a role model for other STEM Latinas out there, where they dream of being part of the Coast Guard workforce.”
Much of his pride and insistence on training comes from the family he came to know within the Coast Guard. For Matos, this community is what inspires his commitment to work. His ability to convey his passion for STEM to other members of his Coast Guard community has allowed him to strengthen the profession and inspire those around him.
“My upbringing was family-oriented, and in the Coast Guard, I feel everyone understands and appreciates the importance of making sure that the family is taking care of you. Having that feeling makes me a hard worker and loyal to the Coast Guard.”
Matos gives his dedication and effort to the love of his family, too.
“Because of my personal situation, this recognition goes to my children, who are the light at the end of the road and who push me to be the best I can be; I strive to be a better person because of him.”
