Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Seventeenth District
United States Coast Guard
Date: Jan. 14, 2009
Contact: (907) 321-4510
Petty Officer 1st Class David Mosley
News Release

Coast Guard sponsors Iditarod Trail Sled Dog racer

VALDEZ, Alaska – Ken Anderson removes one of his dogs to share with children during a visit with the children of Herman Hutchins Elementary School, Valdez, Jan. 13, 2009. The school visit was the conclusion to a full day of touring Coast Guard as part of his getting to know more about the Coast Guard who is helping sponsor his 2010 race. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class David Mosley   VALDEZ, Alaska – Ken Anderson talks about mushing and racing the Iditarod with children at Herman Hutchins Elementary School, Valdez, Jan. 13, 2009. The school visit was the conclusion to a full day of touring Coast Guard as part of his getting to know more about the Coast Guard who is helping sponsor his 2010 race. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class David Mosley   VALDEZ, Alaska – Ken Anderson talks about mushing and racing the Iditarod with children at Herman Hutchins Elementary School, Valdez, Jan. 13, 2009. The school visit was the conclusion to a full day of touring Coast Guard as part of his getting to know more about the Coast Guard who is helping sponsor his 2010 race. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class David Mosley

VALDEZ, Alaska – Ken Anderson poses for a photo with crewmembers of Coast Guard Station Valdez, Jan. 13, 2009. The visit involved a full day of touring local Coast Guard units as part of his getting to know more about the Coast Guard who is helping sponsor his 2010 race. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class David Mosley   VALDEZ, Alaska – Ken Anderson poses for a photo with crewmembers of the Coast Guard Cutter Long Island at the Port of Valdez, Jan. 13, 2009. The visit involved a full day of touring local Coast Guard units as part of his getting to know more about the Coast Guard who is helping sponsor his 2010 race. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class David Mosley   VALDEZ, Alaska – Ken Anderson poses for a photo with crewmembers of Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Valdez, Jan. 13, 2009. The visit involved a full day of touring local Coast Guard units as part of his getting to know more about the Coast Guard who is helping sponsor his 2010 race. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class David Mosley

Editors note:  Please click on the above image for a high resolution photo.

VALDEZ, Alaska – The Coast Guard will be sponsoring a nine-year Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race veteran during the 2010 Iditarod race which will extend through 1049 miles of some of Alaska's toughest terrain.

Ken Anderson, a Fairbanks resident, was provided an informational tour of the Coast Guard Cutter Long Island, the Small Boat Station and the Marine Safety Offices in Valdez Wednesday.

Twice Anderson has finished the race in the top five, with his best finish in 2008 when he placed fourth out of 97 participants.

“The Coast Guard has a proud history here in Alaska,” said Cmdr. Darryl Verfaillie, commanding officer at Marine Safety Unit Valdez.  “In our early history here in Alaska, dog sleds were used to help perform pivotal rescues of trapped whaling ship crews.  We are proud to pay respect to a rich Alaska Coast Guard history by participating in this great race.”

Anderson also visited Herman Hutchins Elementary School in Valdez, talking with the children about mushing and the race.  The school visit was the conclusion to a full day of touring Coast Guard units in Valdez.

“Visiting the children at the elementary school was great fun,” said Anderson.  “It is an honor for me to be able to team up with the Coast Guard and help support a great organization.

Anderson will be flying the Coast Guard banner throughout the great race from Anchorage to Nome in the early March race.

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