The highest award for OSC Josue Mendez sparkles

Posted on 22 November 2009 by Anastacia Thorsson | Comments

The highest award a Coast Guard member can receive. That is how the “award” ceremony yesterday was explained to OSC Josue Mendez’s girlfriend Elizabeth. Lt. Jim Hiltz, command center chief at Sector LA/LB had called Elizabeth to let her know that the command was going to be giving OSC Mendez an award in a surprise ceremony on Saturday, November 20, 2009. He explained to her that it was just about the highest award that anyone in the Coast Guard could receive, but that the command wanted it to be a complete surprise for OSC Mendez and not to tell him anything. Over the next week Lt. Hiltz worked with Elizabeth to make sure that as much family as possible was there.

OSC Mendez was “bummed” to have “duty” on Saturday, but that was the way things went and duty comes first. So, when Elizabeth arrived on Saturday morning, she thought she was there with her whole family and the crew  fomr Sector to be a part of a huge surprise for OSC Mendez.

Capt. Lafarriere, Lt. Jim Hiltz, and OSC Mendez are greeted by family.

Capt. Roger Laferriere, commanding officer of Sector LA/LB, Lt. Jim Hiltz, and the entire Sector LA/LB command center was in on the real surprise.

Elizabeth and her family had been talking excitedly about how surprised OSC Mendez would be, how proud of him they were. As the three men walked out in their trops it really did look like an awards ceremony, everyone was all smiles, camera’s were snapping. Everyone took their seats with anticipation ripe in the air. OSC Mendez had a huge grin, which to anyone who didn’t know the real reason for the event would be the smile of pride and surprise in being honored.

Once between the flags they stood at attention and Capt. Laferriere explained that for this kind of award, OSC Mendez had been asked to bring forward the most important person to him.  OSC Mendez said her name like it was the only word that he would ever need to speak again…and Elizabeth looked utterly surprised and a little nervous as she walked up to join him. Later she would explain that she had been thinking about how she had never been called up before and was nervous about being in front of all those people.

Once she was standing beside him, OSC Mendez began to speak. He was about two sentences into it when he began to choke up, and yet Elizabeth still hadn’t quite caught on. He spoke about how since he had met her she had changed his life and this was really the biggest award he could ever receive. Once he began to speak about serving her and his love for her, it was like watching the stars coming out at night, sparkling light seemed to pour from Elizabeth as her eyes filled with tears. Her hands flew to her face and she knew…

OSC Joshue Mendez asks for Elizabeth's hand in marriage

The greatest award wasn’t from the Coast Guard, it was from her love…and Josue Mendez was asking for her hand in marriage. He got to one knee and in the box that would normally contain a medal was a diamond ring. With the sounds of the ocean, the quiet lowing of a fog horn, and the gasps of the audience in the background, he asked her to be his wife.

Tears were abundant, from Elizabeth and from the guests. She seemed to have to remember how to breathe before she could exclaim “I would LOVE to” and then dissolve into a stream of incoherent happiness that was impossible to make out but equally impossible not to be moved by. She was so excited that she wrapped her arms around him kissing him soundly and not letting go…and forgetting to let him put on the ring. (He did eventually get it on her finger.)

It was a moment out of those romantic stories you grow up with and dream about. The ones that as we get older we wonder if they are just made up for commercials or the big screen. Being able to see such a moment in real life? It kind of gives a little hope back that there still are dreams that come true and pure romantics out there.

OSC Mendez had gotten a fair bit of teasing as he was getting everything ready, ordering the food, making the arrangements, that he was a total romantic and all squishy. (There was laughter and a lot of pride in being able to help him out too) He worried about the ring not arriving on time, the food not being just right, he wanted the day to be perfect for her.Seeing him getting everything ready, he was like a little boy who knows he is getting the best Christmas present ever, the excitement was almost unbearable. How he managed to not give a hint to her of what was going on I will never know!

Welcome to the Coast Guard family Elizabeth, it was an honor for all of us  to be able to be there and be a part of it. Congratulations and best wishes to OSC Josue Mendez and the soon to be MrsCheif. Elizabeth Mendez.