Today, the United States Coast Guard celebrates their 218th birthday. The nation’s oldest continuous seagoing service began August 4, 1790 from a proposal written by Alexander Hamilton and approved by Congress. Some history:

The Coast Guard is one of America’s five armed forces and traces its founding to Aug. 4, 1790, when the first Congress authorized the construction of ten vessels to enforce tariff and trade laws, prevent smuggling, and protect the collection of the federal revenue. Considerable responsibilities have been added over the years including humanitarian duties such as aiding mariners in distress. The service received its present name in 1915 when the Revenue Cutter Service merged with the U.S. Life-Saving Service to form a single maritime service dedicated to safety of life at sea and enforcing the nation’s maritime laws.

Unfortunately, the Coast Guard is probably the most underrecognized and underappreciated branch of the military. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard people query, “Is the Coast Guard part of the military?” Yes, Virginia, the Coast Guard is a branch of the military. They’re part of the Department of Homeland Security rather than the Department of Defense, and they’re our guardians at home while the other branches defend us around the world.

Today, the City of Jacksonville, the USO, and the Northeast Florida Chief Petty Officers Assocation hosted a Coast Guard Appreciation Day at Metropolitan Park. Jacksonville mayor John Peyton also issued a proclamation recognizing the Coast Guard and officially designating August 4 as Coast Guard Day for the city of Jacksonville. There was a live concert, contests, games, and raffles. Bono’s BBQ and Firehouse Subs also provided free food.

The Coast Guard’s motto is Semper Paratus, meaning “Always Ready”. And they are. They’re the silent heroes that we forget too often. Their missions include: search-and-rescue; drug interdiction; migrant interdiction; recreational boating safety; pollution response; foreign and domestic vessel inspections; ports, waterways, and coastal security; fisheries enforcement; service and construction of aids to navigation (plus more!). Obviously, that’s a lot of responsibility that most of us don’t even know exists.

So today, let’s give the Coast Guard a little appreciation. Wish them a happy birthday and thank them for their service. We thank every other branch for what they do, and we should thank the Coast Guard, too. Happy Birthday to the Coast Guard, and thank you to our silent heroes defending the home front!