HS1 Matthew Reines

Married to Alyssa; children Cameron, 9, Kaylyn, 7, and Kamille, 2.

On the job and in his off hours, Health Services Technician 1st Class Matthew Reines lives the Coast Guard motto, "Semper paratus": He's always ready to serve others.

Whether he's treating crew members of the seagoing buoy tender Hickory and their families, responding to an alarm as a volunteer firefighter or answering the call of a remote neighbor as an emergency medical technician, he's responsible for the welfare of hundreds of people in south-central Alaska.

Along with keeping his crew healthy, Reines qualified as buoy deck supervisor, authorizing him to run Hickory's buoy deck operations, a job normally done by senior boatswain's mates.

"He could have easily just relaxed after the workday, but his outstanding initiative and tireless work ethic inspired him to accept more responsibility," Hickory commanding officer Lt. Cmdr. Jonathan Musman wrote in nominating Reines.

While Hickory is in port, Reines volunteers as a firefighter and EMT, but also spends time with his kids, coaches their teams and takes them camping.

Reines also trained Coast Guard spouses in CPR and led the cutter's scholarship selection committee to award a high school senior $1,000. He volunteered for Hickory's haunted ship Halloween event, which collected 2,800 pounds of food — the biggest donation received by the Homer food pantry in 2009.

"He is the one person aboard that each and every person admires for his tireless efforts ... and his devotion to the community," Musman wrote.