PORTSMOUTH, Va. - Coast Guard Seaman Apprentice Craig Sappo stands with Vice Adm. D. Brian Peterman, Commander of Coast Guard Atlantic Area and Defense Force East, and Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thad Allen, as Peterman receives the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal at a change of command and retirement ceremony at Integrated Support Command Portsmouth, Va., today.

Sappo, who recently graduated from Coast Guard Basic Training and has been stationed aboard the 270-foot Coast Guard Cutter Northland for only three days, was invited to join service leadership during Peterman's change of command, in order to representative the hard-working enlisted men and women in the Atlantic Area.

"It's a little bit flooring. Coming straight out of boot camp, I expected to be doing the grunt work - cleaning, sweeping, mopping - not standing next to Admirals my third day on the Northland," said Sappo.  "It's a huge honor. When you're in a situation where the lowest ranking individual in the area is standing next to the highest ranking, it really shows how close-knit this organization is. It's more like a family than anything else," said Sappo.

Sappo is the son of Bill and Joanne Sappo of Long Island, N.Y.

(U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathan Henise)