By Staff
special to The Star
Sept. 21, 2003
U.S. Coast Guardsman George Ray Neal of Meridian had been commended for his service aboard the USCGC Gentian, a Caribbean support tender dedicated to working with foreign countries.
Cmdr. Joseph M. Vojvodich, the vessel's commanding officer, said in a letter to Neal's mother that his technical skills and professionalism have been impressive during the ship's current deployment. Neal serves in the navigation division.
When the ship completes its current patrol in October, it will have visited Haiti, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica and three separate ports in Columbia.
Neal is the son of Jewel Neal and the later Willie Neal of Meridian.