In honor of the NFL's Salute to Service, the Saints honored Aviation Maintenance Technician Third Class Kelly Lisi as the Community Coffee Honorary Captain during New Orleans' Week 9 matchup against the Rams.

"It's really kind of humbling and cool to think that somebody thought enough of me to put me in for it to even let me be selected," said Lisi on her reaction to being chosen for the award. "I come to work and want to do my best and see that people recognize that as it means a lot to me. So. I'm excited for the opportunity to get to be able to do this"

Lisi is a native of San Antonio, TX but is currently stationed at the Coast Guard Air Station in New Orleans. She is a qualified Flight Mechanic who stands ready duty on the MH-65D Dolphin helicopters that support Search and Rescue, and other difficult missions in the Gulf of Mexico.

"I didn't know what branch I wanted to join until I found the Coast Guard and realized that I could be a mechanic and fly as well," said Lisi. "That's something that's really important to me is getting to do both."

Lisi routinely performs helicopter maintenance on the unit's five MH-65D helicopters. Her most recent mission was flawlessly completed when she completed a hoist of a rescue swimmer and survivor and returned them to safety.

Petty Officer Lisi's personal awards include Coast Guard Achievement Medal, Coast Guard Letter of Commendation Ribbon, Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal, and the Golden Wrench Award which is awarded quarterly to the unit's best mechanic.