Since spending her childhood in Lake Orion, Katie Anthony has lived in a number of cities across the country.
Yet, no matter where she’s been, one thing has remained constant in Anthony’s life, her dedication to a variety of community service-based organizations.
That dedication played a big role in her recent honor as the U.S. Coast Guard’s winner of the American Legion Spirit of Service Award.
Anthony, a Yeoman First Class who enlisted in the Coast Guard after receiving her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Michigan in 1999, is currently based with the Air Station of Traverse City, but is in the process of a move to Connecticut.
Anthony has served in Florida, Connecticut, California, and Ohio, in addition to Traverse City. She met her husband, John (also with the Coast Guard) in Cleveland, and has a two-year-old son, Chayse.
She said constant moving is just part of life in the Coast Guard and hopes to settle down someday, perhaps in Savannah, Georgia.
Her list of services include everything from the March of Dimes and Special Olympics to Habitat for Humanity, just to name a few.
‘I logged in over 3,000 hours of community service in the last three years,? she said.
For Anthony, it’s hard to pick one organization that stands out in all of the service she’s done.
‘They each have a different level of connection for the people that you’re working with and for,? she said.
But perhaps one organization stands out a little more in light of recent events in her life.
Since losing her father at age 48 to heart disease last year, Anthony has focused more of her volunteer efforts towards work with the American Heart Association.
‘It hits close to home,? she said. ‘All of the charities that I have worked for have touched me in some way.?
Anthony said it’s not important how much one can volunteer, because every little bit can help.
‘It’s important to volunteer whatever time you have,? she said. ‘There’s always something to do.?
‘People don’t realize how rewarding the experience can be,? Anthony added.
Anthony went to Oakland Christian High School, but attended Lake Orion schools until the 10th grade, and remembers all of her teachers at Stadium Elementary and the junior high and high schools.
She said she has the Coast Guard to thank for her success.
‘If it weren’t for the Coast Guard, I wouldn’t be able to do the things I do,? she said, noting that a majority of the events she participates in are command- sponsored, and that the Coast Guard is extremely flexible in allowing her to serve with various organizations.
As a member of the Coast Guard, Anthony was part of the rescue at sea and return to Cuba of Elian Gonzales, a story that made national headlines for weeks.
‘To me it was a normal day,? she said. ‘We had no idea what was going on with the news crews until we got back in.?
Anthony said her mom, Nikki Spencer of Lake Orion, still has the tape of her interview on CNN.
Though her life in the Coast Guard has been eventful, it hasn’t stopped Anthony from offering endless support to the causes she believes in, and her unselfish devotion to helping others couldn’t helped but get noticed along the way.
Anthony will be honored at the 2006 American Legion Annual National Convention, in Salt Lake City in late August.