The 2006 Military Times Service Members of the Year were honored July 13 at a reception in Washington.

The sixth annual Capitol Hill event was packed with congressional, military and business leaders, but it was this year’s uniformed honorees who took center stage.

The Navy Times Coast Guardsman of the Year Yeoman 2nd Class Jeff Jackson was accompanied by his new bride, Layla.

“I did some great things, but I couldn’t have done these things without the guys around me. I’m kind of accepting this award for everyone,” said Jackson, who works in New Orleans at the Integrated Support Command.

Jackson dove into debris-strewn waters to rescue a despondent New Orleans police officer who was attempting to take his own life, and he rescued two children from a car their mother — who appeared to be drunk — had driven into a ditch.

Before all that, Jackson, who lost everything he owned to Hurricane Katrina, put aside his own troubles and worked tirelessly in the relief effort, navigating a boat down streets he’d once walked through, picking up stranded residents.

He stayed on the job through November, heading up security for New Orleans rescue operations and the Integrated Support Command.

Rep. Gene Taylor of Mississippi hosted the awards ceremony, and Sen. Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii and Sen. John McCain of Arizona served as co-hosts.

“These men and women are only an example of the millions of men and women who have served and are serving today,” said McCain, a highly decorated Vietnam War veteran who survived more than five years as a prisoner of war. “I’m honored when I’m in Iraq. I’m very proud when I have the opportunity to see these men and women with full gear on in 120 degree heat, pursuing their cause in search of freedom.”