Petty Officer Joe Gagnon Petty Officer Joe Gagnon of St. Ignace has been named the U.S. Coast Guard employee of the month for October. Petty Officer Gagnon has been recognized for his hard work ethic and positive attitude.

He dropped everything he was working on at the station to aid a Habitat for Humanity housing project for a local family, said Executive Petty Officer Jonathan Tracy. He helped with installing drywall and moving heavy siding at the house.

During a duty weekend, he laid the wood floor in the new Search and Rescue gear locker, which improves functionality of the space. In addition, during his free time, he came to the station to help with framing walls for the station’s new crew lounge. This gives the duty crew a comfortable area while standing duty during the long winter months, Officer Tracy said.

In addition, Officer Gagnon made it a priority to look out for a new shipmate and helped prepare him for a successful boat crew qualification.