Did you know?
Under Michigan law, the flag of each branch of service is flown over the state Capitol on the service founding date. In June, we put the U.S. Army in the spotlight and going into the fall months we”ll recognize the Air Force, Navy, and Marines. Today, we honor and salute the men and women — past and present — who proudly represent the United States Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard at a Glance:
- Founded August 4, 1790
- Motto: Semper Paratus (Latin for “Always ready”)
- Colors: White, Coast Guard Blue, and Coast Guard Red
- March: “Semper Paratus”
Used in parades, the flag was derived from the jack (national flag flown at the head of a ship) of the Coast Guard ensign which was flown by revenue cutters
Photo source: www.FlagPictures.org
Going strong for 225 years, the U.S. Coast Guard was originally created at the request of Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton as the “Revenue Marine,” and collected customs duties in the nation”s seaports. In the 1860s it became known as the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service, and eventually the modern Coast Guard was formed when the Revenue Cutter Service merged with the U.S. Life-Saving Service in 1915. The Coast Guard”s three main roles are: maritime safety, security, and stewardship.
During peacetime, the Coast Guard falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. During times of war, jurisdiction can transfer to the U.S. Department of Navy by order of the President or Congress as it did with both World Wars. Wartime is also one of the instances where the Coast Guard flag is displayed before the U.S. Air Force flag.
Learn more at www.USCG.mil or www.GoCoastGuard.com.
The Coast Guard on Film:
- Clear and Present Danger (1994)
- The Guardian (2006)
About Sarah Hovis