by Val John Jennings

Created on: August 17, 2009   Last Updated: August 19, 2009

The United States Coast Guard has a very colorful history. Watching over the ocean coasts became a Federal mandate when the US Revenue Cutter Service was created under the Treasury Department by Alexander Hamilton in 1790. It was then a force to combat Piracy and collect revenues with the mandate to rescue those in distress. They are sometimes called the "First Fleet" because the US Navy had not been created yet. In 1915 they merged with the United States Lifesaving Service and became the Coast Guard. They have been moved about through several government agencies due to different needs in times of war and peace.

August 4 is celebrated as Coast Guard Day to honor the establishment on that day in 1790 of the Revenue Cutter Service.

As they are part of the Armed Forces they also celebrate as equal partners on Armed Forces Day.

"The Coast Guard has been continuously at sea since its inception, although the name Coast Guard didn't come about until 1915 when the Revenue Cutter Service was merged with the Lifesaving Service. The Lighthouse Service joined the Coast Guard in 1939, followed in 1946 by the Bureau of Navigation and Steamboat Inspection. Finally, in 1967, after 177 years in the Treasury Department, the Coast Guard was transferred to the newly formed Department of Transportation. (http://www.defenselink.mil/afd/military/coastgrd.htm l)"

In the United States of America we celebrate Armed Forces Day. It is a result of the consolidation of the military services in the Department of Defense. The day was created in 1949,.the celebration to be on on the third Saturday in May. It was intended to replace the separate days set aside to represent the various arms of the service, but observance of these days continues to be celebrated.

"Coast Guard Day is primarily an internal activity for active duty Coast Guard personnel, civilian members, reservists, retirees, auxiliarists, and dependants, but it does have a significant share of interest outside the Service. (http://www.flagandbanner.com/holiday/viewholiday.asp ?hid=75)"

Coast Guard Day gives us a time to reflect on those heroes who have served with valor, many giving their lives to preserve and protect. We do not need a special day to honor them, but those who serve and their families and friends deserve a time of remembrance.

Over 3,000 people celebrated Coast Guard Day in Elizabeth City, North Carolina this year. Considering the many stations throughout our coastal shores, we saw thousands of our citizens honor our heroes. May it continue to grow in spirit, hope, and popularity.

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