Local Restaurant Hosts a Summer Cruise-in

In McConnellsburg, PA, the community came together at Wild Annie's to celebrate the life of Kole T. Kendall, a Maritime Enforcement Specialist Petty Officer 3rd Class, with a summer cruise-in on July 26, 2024. This event, steeped in remembrance and sweet nostalgia, featured the Kole's Confection Connection Cooler, a heartfelt tribute by Kole's family to share his love for sweet treats with the community. Tragically, the Kendall family faced the loss of Kole to suicide in February 2024, just as he was nearing the end of his service with the U.S. Coast Guard.

His challenging transition from military to civilian life sparked a mission within his family to support others navigating similar paths. They established The Kole T. Kendall Anchored Navigation Project, a non-profit aimed at assisting high school seniors interested in military or law enforcement careers, aiding service members in job searches and resume writing, providing educational resources for suicide prevention, supporting Gold Star families with grief support, and advocating for improvements to the government's Transition Assistance Program (T.A.P.).

The inaugural cruise-in was a success, raising over $1600, which was shared between The Kole T. Kendall Anchored Navigation Project and Breakwater Alliance, another non-profit dedicated to offering anonymous mental health support to Coast Guard members. This alliance, formed by Coast Guard members for their peers, underscores the unique position of the Coast Guard, which operates under Homeland Security rather than the Department of Defense, often leading to different support systems for its members. Through these initiatives, Kole's legacy lives on, fostering a community of care and support for those who serve.

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