When people talk about the months that have real holidays, not the fake commercialized ones to get people to go out and gorge on chocolate or pancakes on National Chocolate and Pancake day, Americans often overlook the month of August. One of the most important birthdays for America's Armed Forces happens at the end of summer. The U.S. Coast Guard's birthday is on August 4th, as this maritime force will be celebrating its 226 birthday this year. As Americans, people should be grateful to have such hard working military men and women guarding our waters from foreign threats, saving people's lives, and protecting our environment from natural and man-made disasters.
History of the Coast Guard
In 1790, the Department of Treasury commissioned ten marine vessels to enforce customs laws and prevent smuggling. With the recruitment of 100 military soldiers, the Revenue Cutter Service was founded. Throughout the years, other types of maritime services merged with this armed customs enforcement service. The humanitarian Life-Saver Services designed to help shipwrecked mariners along with passengers became a part of the Revenue Cutter Service to officially become the United States Coast Guard in 1915.
In 1939, the Lighthouse Service designed to maintain the upkeep of lighthouses and lightships also became a part of the Coast Guard. Using his executive order powers, President Franklin Roosevelt assigned the Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation to the control of the Coast Guard in 1942 to promote the inspection and safety of merchant vessels and mariners.
Today, the United States Coast Guard has become one of America's most responsive and adaptable armed maritime military force. It is operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as there were 36,235 active duty men and women, 7,351 reserve members, and 7,064 civilians as its workforce in 2014. The service protects the economic interests of the United States along the coast, all waterways and throughout international waters as it offers national security, marine environmental protection, and search and rescue assistance to vessels.
5 Fun Facts of the U. S. Coast Guard
There are many interesting facts concerning the U.S. Coast Guard as people should take a moment to recognize and celebrate such a vital organization:
1: Military members of the Coast Guard have served in 17 wars throughout United States history. During World War II, 241,093 members were involved in this conflict.
2: The Coast Guard was the only naval force in service until the U.S. Navy became re-established in 1797, as it operates under the core values of respect, honor, and devotion to its duty.
3: In 1918, the first uniformed women to serve in the Coast Guard were sisters named Lucille and Genevieve Baker. In 1941, the first civilian woman was hired as she worked in secretarial and clerical duties.
4: Cape May, New Jersey is the first permanent air station for the Coast Guard that was established in 1926, as the oldest boat station is in Sandy Hook, New Jersey.
5: The U.S. Coast Guard's motto is Semper Paratus, which means "Always Ready" in Latin. It is also the official marching song written by Captain Francis Saltus Van Boskerck of the United States Coast Guard.
Support all our Active Duty and Veterans of the Coast Guard with a wearing a patch.
