US Coast Guard ship

 

Coast Guard Birthday: history and celebrations

 

On August 4, 2022, the US Coast Guard will celebrate its 232nd birthday. One of the oldest of the United States’ military branches, the Coast Guard serves as both a federal law enforcement agency and a military force, defending and protecting the nation in peacetime and war. While Armed Forces Day  honors all of the United States’ military branches, the US Coast Guard commemorates its birthday each year on August 4, the only branch to have an individual holiday to celebrate their accomplishments!

Read on to learn more about the Coast Guard, its history, and how you can celebrate National Coast Guard Day!

 

What is the US Coast Guard?

The US Coast Guard is a unique branch of the military, the only branch that can serve both under the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense. During peacetime the Coast Guard serves under the Department of Homeland Security, and enforces the United States’ laws at sea, guarding the coastline and ports, performing life-saving missions, and protecting the marine environment. During wartime the US Coast Guard shifts to the Department of Defense, protecting the United States against foreign threats.


The Coast Guard during peacetime

The Coast Guard during peacetime acts as a federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security. The Coast Guard defends more than 100,000 miles of US coastline and inland waterways and safeguards the 4.5 million square miles that encompass the US Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which stretches from North of the Arctic Circle all the way to South of the equator, including nine different time zones.

The Coast Guard also acts a first-responder organization for humanitarian relief, providing aid to those in need during emergencies. After the attacks on September 11, 2001, the Coast Guard facilitated the evacuation of more than 500,000 people from New York City. In the wake of the destruction of Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the Coast Guard’s operations saved more than 30,000 people who had been left in dangerous situations. The Coast Guard also responded to the devastating hurricane season in 2017 with Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. But the Coast Guard responds to emergencies on a daily basis as well, conducting an average of 45 search and rescue operations, saving an average of 10 lives, and saving over $1.2 million in property every day. 

The Coast Guard enforces laws and regulations on the water including maritime transportation, hazardous materials freight, bridge administration, oil spill response, and ship construction and operation. They seize illegal drugs, stop human trafficking, and prevent environmental pollution in the marine ecosystem. 

The Coast Guard also operates the International Ice Patrol, which maintains surveillance of icebergs in the North Atlantic. 

The Coast Guard also gathers data for the National Weather Service and assists distressed ships and planes.


The Coast Guard during wartime

In times of war, or under the direction of the President of the United States, control of the Coast Guard shifts to the Department of the Navy, under the Department of Defense. The Coast Guard has fought in almost every war since the inception of the United States. Their wartime duties include escorting ships, securing ports, and manning transports. The Coast Guard can be deployed overseas or defend the United States’ shores.

 

History of the US Coast Guard

The US Coast Guard was founded on August 4, 1790, by Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton authorized the construction of ten vessels known as Revenue Service Cutters, which were used to enforce the nation’s first tariff laws. The Navy that had been formed to fight in the Revolutionary War disbanded in 1785 and would not reform until 1794, thus for the first four years of its existence the Revenue Cutter Service was the United States’ only armed force at sea and remains the oldest continuous seagoing service.

The name of the Revenue Cutter Service was changed to “Coast Guard” when President Woodrow Wilson signed a law that combined it with the United States Life-Saving Service in 1915. The Life-Saving Service was a federal agency that was responsible for rescuing shipwrecked mariners and passengers. More mergers were to follow with the Lighthouse Service joining the Coast Guard in 1939 (responsible for lighthouse maintenance), and the Bureau of Navigation and Steamboat Inspection in 1946 (enforced laws related to merchant vessels). 

The Coast Guard was originally formed under the Treasury Department, but would move twice: first, to the Department of Transportation in 1967, and then to the newly formed Department of Homeland Security in 2003. It remains under the Department of Homeland Security with the agreement to shift control to the Department of the Navy when directed.

The US Coast Guard has played a vital role in nearly every war the US has been involved in. During World War II the Coast Guard transported troops and manned amphibious-style assault craft, as well as small craft that brought in reinforcements and supplies. During the Vietnam War the Coast Guard deployed a special regiment, known as Squadron One, which patrolled the coastlines of Vietnam. The Coast Guard also supported efforts during the War on Terror, both domestically and on foreign land.

 

National Coast Guard Day

 

How to Celebrate the US Coast Guard’s Birthday

National Coast Guard Day is the only holiday for a branch of the military that is separate from Armed Forces Day. Originally celebrating individual holidays, the other branches of the military were all consolidated into one day, but the Coast Guard celebrates on both Armed Forces Day, and on its birthday. The Coast Guard’s birthday is generally an internal celebration, with activities to commemorate the holiday organized by individual commands or units.

There is one place in the United States, Grand Haven, Michigan, also known as Coast Guard City, that holds a public Coast Guard Festival annually during the week of August 4. There are actually 21 Coast Guard Cities, an honorary title given to communities that have special value and importance to the Coast Guard. Many of these cities have celebrations for the Coast Guard, but these are usually held on the day that the city was given the honorary title, which falls throughout the year. For National Coast Guard Day, Grand Haven is the place to be!


Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven, Michigan

The Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven is the largest community celebration of a branch of the Armed Forces in the United States! They have been commemorating National Coast Guard Day every year since 1924, and the festivities have only expanded over time. The city welcomes a mix of Coast Guard servicemembers and their families, residents, visitors, and local and state dignitaries. Events include parades, memorials, picnics, a carnival, fireworks, a car show, craft fair, and far more! There are lighthouse, beach, and ship tours, and the waterfront stadium hosts musical acts and a water ski show!


Other Ways to Celebrate National Coast Guard Day

If you’re not able to visit Grand Haven for the Coast Guard’s Birthday, there are plenty of other ways you can celebrate and honor those who serve. Here are a few ideas:

  • Visit a Coast Guard or military museum and learn about the Coast Guard’s history
  • Place flowers at a Coast Guard or military memorial
  • Donate to a Coast Guard service organization
  • See if your local Veterans Hospital has any volunteer openings
  • Check if your nearest Coast Guard City has any activities planned for the week

If you’re really feeling inspired, you can also apply to join the Coast Guard Auxiliary, an all-volunteer division of the Coast Guard! The Coast Guard Auxiliary has nearly 21,000 members who assist in patrolling waterways, protecting the environment, educating the public in boating safety, and more!

 

Semper Paratus: Always Ready

The US Coast Guard’s motto is “Semper Paratus” which means “Always Ready” in Latin. It’s clear from the wide variety of tasks and responsibilities that fall under the Coast Guard’s jurisdiction that their motto is incredibly apt. From enforcing laws and regulations, to protecting the environment, to responding to emergencies, and assisting the Navy when called upon, the Coast Guard really does it all-- and we thank them for their service!

 

Garmont’s Tactical Collection

Like the US Coast Guard, our tactical boots are also Always Ready! Designed specifically for those who serve in the Armed Forces, our boots will withstand demanding field conditions without compromising on comfort. Whether you’re looking for a pair of boots to keep your feet warm and dry in wet conditions, a pair to increase your speed and agility, or simply a dependable pair for everyday life, our Tactical Collection has exactly what you need!