Happy 216th Birthday USCG!
Today is the 216th birthday of the Coast Guard. Following is a note to my wonderful husband (along with all the other men and women of the USCG) from Adm. Thad Allen, Commandant of the Coast Guard.
To the Men and Women of the Coast Guard:
Today marks the 216th Birthday of our Coast Guard. This anniversary offers us a moment to celebrate our rich history, reflect on our past and focus on our future. The Coast Guard’s unique legacy as America’s lifesaver and maritime guardian evolved from the selfless courage and unflinching determination of our predecessors. It is in their honor that we celebrate today. In 1790, Congress authorized secretary of the treasury Alexander Hamilton to build a fleet of ten cutters to secure our freedom and protect our coast. For the next eight years, the Revenue Marine was the nation’s only naval force. Over time, it evolved and acquired new responsibilities to meet the growing needs of a democracy in the early years of a new nation.
The world has changed dramatically since 1790 and continues to change with every day. The global war on terrorism, the Maritime Transportation Security Act, The Homeland Security Act, the National Strategy for Homeland Security, and the National Strategy for Maritime Security have given the Coast Guard additional areas of mission emphasis. Meeting those new maritime security demands, while sustaining the trust and confidence of the public we serve in preserving our maritime safety and exercising our maritime stewardship duties, requires us to continually challenge ourselves and improve the way we do business. By focusing on superior mission execution in all that we do, our active duty, reserve, civilian and auxiliary men and women are meeting these challenges head on, often times in unique and innovative ways. I am proud of these tremendous efforts and your hard work.
With the arrival of our 217th year of continuous service, we can look forward to the promise of more opportunities to serve America, and even more challenges. I reaffirm my commitment to each of you on this special day to ensure that our Coast Guard men and women are the most versatile workforce in government, equipped with the most capable fleet of ships, aircraft and boats, along with the most effective systems that will support them. We have an extraordinary legacy of excellence as America’s Coast Guard. We will build on that legacy. We will rise to meet the challenges facing us. And we will remain always ready.
Happy Birthday and Semper Paratus!
Admiral Thad Allen
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And here's a prayer for the Coast Guard on it's birthday. I found this on the Navy's Chaplain website:
God, we thank you for this special day. It is our Birthday. It is a day to rest from our daily labor. It is a day to share our daily bread with each other. It is a day to challenge each other to a different kind of excellence. May we be refreshed today – in body and soul. May we be renewed today – in mind and spirit. May we be re-dedicated today – in word and deed. Lord, in everything we do, may we please you, may we be all that we can be and may we do for those whom we help what we would like them to do for us. AMEN.
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Honey, I'm so proud of you and all that you do for so many people. I can't believe how many lives you have saved or assisted. There are so many people still alive today because of you. You not only save their lives, but they go on to live another day with their families who are eternally grateful for what you have done. Sure, most of them do not know the names of the pilots or crew who saved their life, but you are fulfilling God's work. You are an amazing person and pilot and I am so blessed and proud to have you in my life.
Happy Coast Guard Day everyone! A special thanks goes out to our all of our men in women serving and protecting our homeland. God bless you all!
To the Men and Women of the Coast Guard:
Today marks the 216th Birthday of our Coast Guard. This anniversary offers us a moment to celebrate our rich history, reflect on our past and focus on our future. The Coast Guard’s unique legacy as America’s lifesaver and maritime guardian evolved from the selfless courage and unflinching determination of our predecessors. It is in their honor that we celebrate today. In 1790, Congress authorized secretary of the treasury Alexander Hamilton to build a fleet of ten cutters to secure our freedom and protect our coast. For the next eight years, the Revenue Marine was the nation’s only naval force. Over time, it evolved and acquired new responsibilities to meet the growing needs of a democracy in the early years of a new nation.
The world has changed dramatically since 1790 and continues to change with every day. The global war on terrorism, the Maritime Transportation Security Act, The Homeland Security Act, the National Strategy for Homeland Security, and the National Strategy for Maritime Security have given the Coast Guard additional areas of mission emphasis. Meeting those new maritime security demands, while sustaining the trust and confidence of the public we serve in preserving our maritime safety and exercising our maritime stewardship duties, requires us to continually challenge ourselves and improve the way we do business. By focusing on superior mission execution in all that we do, our active duty, reserve, civilian and auxiliary men and women are meeting these challenges head on, often times in unique and innovative ways. I am proud of these tremendous efforts and your hard work.
With the arrival of our 217th year of continuous service, we can look forward to the promise of more opportunities to serve America, and even more challenges. I reaffirm my commitment to each of you on this special day to ensure that our Coast Guard men and women are the most versatile workforce in government, equipped with the most capable fleet of ships, aircraft and boats, along with the most effective systems that will support them. We have an extraordinary legacy of excellence as America’s Coast Guard. We will build on that legacy. We will rise to meet the challenges facing us. And we will remain always ready.
Happy Birthday and Semper Paratus!
Admiral Thad Allen
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And here's a prayer for the Coast Guard on it's birthday. I found this on the Navy's Chaplain website:
God, we thank you for this special day. It is our Birthday. It is a day to rest from our daily labor. It is a day to share our daily bread with each other. It is a day to challenge each other to a different kind of excellence. May we be refreshed today – in body and soul. May we be renewed today – in mind and spirit. May we be re-dedicated today – in word and deed. Lord, in everything we do, may we please you, may we be all that we can be and may we do for those whom we help what we would like them to do for us. AMEN.
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Honey, I'm so proud of you and all that you do for so many people. I can't believe how many lives you have saved or assisted. There are so many people still alive today because of you. You not only save their lives, but they go on to live another day with their families who are eternally grateful for what you have done. Sure, most of them do not know the names of the pilots or crew who saved their life, but you are fulfilling God's work. You are an amazing person and pilot and I am so blessed and proud to have you in my life.
Happy Coast Guard Day everyone! A special thanks goes out to our all of our men in women serving and protecting our homeland. God bless you all!
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