Mrs. Melanie Heathfield Binversie distinguished herself through fifteen years of extraordinary and selfless dedication, profoundly strengthening the resilience, morale, and readiness of the Navy, Marine Corps, and Joint Force families. Identifying a critical gap in support for pregnant military spouses facing the stress of relocations and deployments, she established a dedicated doula practice across Fort Belvoir and the National Capital Region. Her evidence-based prenatal and postpartum care provided a vital "ministry of presence," serving as an irreplaceable anchor for families navigating childbirth without their partners present. Demonstrating outstanding initiative, Melanie also conceptualized and managed the Okinawa Fairy Godmothers program. What began on a social media page as a simple effort to answer questions evolved into an innovative logistical network of stateside families, volunteer bakers, and overseas coordinators. By delivering custom, homemade goods to over 100 forward-deployed Marines, Sailors, and Airmen, she bridged the geographical divide and provided a tangible sense of home across the Pacific. Furthermore, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she recognized the severe isolation of Reserve forces returning from overseas training. Bypassing strict societal lockdowns, she rapidly mobilized a volunteer network to assemble and deliver care packages to approximately 15 to 20 quarantined Marines at Camp Lejeune training from annual training overseas, directly preserving their mental well-being during a challenging operational stand-down. Her profound empathy extended to the most solemn sectors of the military community, providing practical relief and compassionate advocacy to Wounded Warrior families, while rendering quiet, reverent support to the military community to ensure their fallen were honored and grieving families remained enveloped in care. Embodying the highest ideals of citizenship, Melanie further fortified her local community in Fairfax County, Virginia, as a Community Emergency Response Team member, a Parent-Teacher Organization board leader at Fort Belvoir, and an American Red Cross volunteer, greatly enhancing regional disaster readiness and family-school bonds. The singular accomplishments, deep civic responsibility, and profound dedication of Mrs. Melanie Binversie reflect the highest credit upon herself and constitute an invaluable contribution in the finest traditions of service to the Department of the Navy.

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For distinguished public service to the Department of the Navy as the first Executive Director of the Surface Navy Association, a non-profit organization founded in 1985 to promote greater coordination and communication to those in the military, business, and academic communities for those who share a common interest in surface warfare while supporting the activities of the United States surface forces. As executive director, Capt. Erickson has been a catalyst in recognizing the continuing contributions of the United States Navy's & Coast Guard's surface forces to U.S. national security, initiating programs to showcase the professional excellence within the surface community. In his leadership capacity, Capt. Erickson has facilitated forums on professional matters affecting the surface naval forces of the United States Navy and Coast Guard on both coasts. The Surface Navy Association National Symposium held each January in the Washington, DC area has become a must attend event for Navy and industry leadership to address today s national security challenges. Of note has been Capt. Erickson s efforts to preserve and promote the heritage of surface naval forces through initiatives including Naval Heritage Night at the National Symposium, and establishment of a Surface Navy Hall of Fame. Most significantly, Capt. Erickson took the lead over two decades ago in response to then-CNO Admiral Jay Johnson s 1999 call for the Navy to celebrate annually the decisive World War II victory at the Battle of Midway, 4-7 June 1942. As the dinner committee chairman starting in 2003 with a total of six sponsoring organizations, Capt. Erickson has developed the annual Battle of Midway Dinner event into a major annual celebration with Navy leaders and prominent naval historians as speakers. Over the decades the dinner has hosted junior officer and enlisted guests and most importantly, Battle of Midway veterans. At this 20th such formal dinner celebration, it is fitting that we recognize Capt. Erickson for the full scope of his post-active duty career achievements. For his extraordinary success in promoting the professionalism of U.S. Navy and Coast Guard surface forces, facilitating communications between those working in military, business, and academic communities, and fostering a greater appreciation of the Navy s remarkable heritage to those in uniform as well as the American public, Capt. William Erickson (Ret.) is presented the Department of the Navy Distinguished Public Service Award.