FROM THE PDN’S ‘Today’s Highlight in History’ in our print edition:
“On August 4, 1790, the U.S. Coast Guard had its beginnings as President George Washington signed a measure authorizing a group of revenue cutters to enforce tariff and trade laws and prevent smuggling.”
Responsibilities added over the years included humanitarian duties such as aiding mariners in distress.
(Today is also President Barack Obama’s birthday. The 44th president of the United States is 54.)
The Coast Guard operates under the Department of Homeland Security but can be transferred to the Department of the Navy by the president (anytime) or Congress (during war).
Its motto, Semper Paratus (Always Ready), aptly describes the courage of the men and women who serve.
To commemorate their 225th birthday, the Postal Service is releasing a Forever stamp featuring the Coast Guard cutter Eagle and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter.
(READ MORE: — “A 225-Year Legacy of Service,” by Adm. Paul Zukunft, the 25th commandant of the Coast Guard. Click on: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/adm-paul-zukunft/a-225-year-legacy-of-serv_b_7932570.html )
(And . . . Coast Guard introduced a free smartphone app for mariners earlier this year — https://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20150524/NEWS/305249974 )
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[And . . . ‘Celebrate Coast Guard’s 225th birthday with a romance read’ — click on: http://usat.ly/1SFs9KF via @usatoday ]
FROM THE POSTAL SERVICE:
“This stamp honors the United States Coast Guard for its role in protecting the security of the nation and advancing its vital maritime interests.
“In an oil painting on masonite, renowned aviation artist William S. Phillips depicts two icons of the Coast Guard: the cutter Eagle, a three-masted sailing ship known as “America’s Tall Ship,” and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, the standard rescue aircraft of the Coast Guard.
“One hundred years ago the agency received its current name, when President Woodrow Wilson signed into law the 1915 “Act to Create the Coast Guard.”
“The origins of the Coast Guard, however, go back to 1790, when President George Washington signed into law an act that provided for a fleet of ten boats, or “revenue cutters,” to aid in “the collection of duties … imported into the United States.”
“Today’s Coast Guard has 38,000 active-duty men and women; 8,000 Reservists; and many volunteer auxiliary personnel. In addition to saving lives at sea, their responsibilities include enforcing maritime law, overseeing aids to navigation, carrying out icebreaking operations, protecting the marine environment, responding to oil spills and water pollution, ensuring port security, supporting scientific research at sea, combating terrorism, and aiding in the nation’s defense.
“Phil Jordan was the art director for the stamp.
“The United States Coast Guard stamp is being issued as a Forever® stamp. This Forever stamp will always be equal in value to the current First-Class Mail® one-ounce price.”
