Since 08-08-05
Coast Guard celebrates 215 years of service to U.S.
Since 08-08-05
From: Waspscpo@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2005 4:12 AM
To: undisclosed-recipients
Subject: Coast Guard celebrates 215 years of service to U.S.
Happy Birthday to my former Coast Guard readers.
http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=90148&ran=89483
Coast Guard celebrates 215 years of service to U.S.
(Founded August 4, 1790)
The Virginian-Pilot
August 4, 2005
ELIZABETH CITY — The U.S. Coast Guard celebrates 215 years of service today.
its, including Elizabeth City Air Station, will honor Coast Guard Day. The Coast
Guard’s service began Aug. 4, 1790, when the Revenue Cutter Service was
established by Congress to enforce tariff and trade laws, prevent smuggling and
protect the collection of the federal revenue.
The service, made up of 10 cutters , also was responsible for defending the
young nation, according to a statement from the Coast Guard. Later, the U.S.
Life Saving Service was created in response to a series of shipping accidents
along the East Coast. Lifesaving stations were built along the coast and were
frequently staffed by local townspeople who rescued shipwreck survivors,
according to the statement.
Eventually, the two services, along with the Light House Service, the Steamboat
Inspection Service and the Bureau of Navigation, combined to form the Coast
Guard. Elizabeth City boasts one of the largest Coast Guard bases, which
includes the air station, the Aircraft Repair and Supply Center, Aviation
Technical Training Center, Support Center and Elizabeth City Station. Elizabeth
City Air Station was commissioned Aug. 15, 1940, with four officers, 52 enlisted
men and 10 aircraft, according to the base’s Web site.
It was chosen because it was on the country’s northern-most ice-free river and
had great potential and strategic value as a seaplane base.The air station’s
missions and assigned aircraft have shifted and grown with changing national
priorities and technologies, the base Web site says.
Each year, the Coast Guard responds to more than 31,500 search-and-rescue cases,
saves more than 4,700 lives and $128 million worth of property, responds to more
than 3,500 oil or chemical spills and stops more than 41 metric tons of illegal
drugs from entering the country, according to the Coast Guard statement.
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/reserve/reshmpg.html
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Conributed,
YNCS Don Harribine, USN(ret)