Veterans' Voices: Happy birthday, U.S. Coast Guard

Veterans’ Voices is directed toward veterans and their families who have given so much to ensure our freedom in this country. This is an area where you may share your experiences, or read of other veterans’ experiences. We thank you for your service, and hope that you know how much you are loved and appreciated.

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The U.S. Coast Guard birthday was celebrated August 4 for its valor and discipline. Since 1790, the U.S. Coast Guard has kept our waterways safe, being a critical role in national security.

The U.S. Coast Guard patrols our coasts for drug smugglers, human trafficking and both domestic and international terrorism. Even though the bad guys (and girls) have gotten savvier with technology, the Coast Guard has developed sophisticated, effective technology to combat crimes on the water and at our ports. It’s a 24-hour-a-day, 7-days-a-week battle.

Now, some history.

In 1790, Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury, founded the Revenue Marine. Then, in 1915, the Revenue Cutter Service and the U.S. Life Saving Service merged to form a single maritime entity called the U.S. Coast Guard. Then, after the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security took over jurisdiction in 2003.