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Petty Officer 2nd Class Jim Abels, 28, a boatswain's mate assigned to the Coast Guard Cutter Forward, homeported in Portsmouth, Va., is shown here. Abels, a native of Harrisburg, Pa., is the 2008 recipient of the American Legion Spirit of Service Award, given annually to one member from each military service for contributions in volunteer efforts. (U.S. Coast Guard photo/Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Evanson)