Celebrating 236 Years of Semper Paratus
As the United States Coast Guard reaches its monumental 236th anniversary today, August 4, 2026, we pause with profound respect and immense gratitude to celebrate a legacy built on unmatched dedication, sacrifice, and grace. From protecting America’s expansive coastline to standing tall on the front lines of maritime security, the men and women of the Coast Guard embody the true spirit of their noble motto: Semper Paratus—Always Ready.
The Origins of a Maritime Legacy
The rich history of the United States Coast Guard dates back to August 4, 1790, when Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton petitioned Congress to authorize the construction of ten revenue cutters. Originally established as the Revenue Marine (later the Revenue Cutter Service), this small but vital fleet was tasked with enforcing federal tariff and trade laws and preventing smuggling. For nearly a decade, before the formal establishment of the Department of the Navy, these swift cutters served as the nation’s sole armed force afloat.
Over the decades, the service evolved to meet the changing needs of a growing nation. In 1915, Congress officially merged the Revenue Cutter Service with the U.S. Life-Saving Service, forging a unified branch dedicated equally to maritime law enforcement and the perilous, life-saving work of rescuing souls from treacherous seas. Later additions, including the integration of the Lighthouse Service in 1939 and the Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation in 1946, cemented the Coast Guard’s role as the definitive guardian of America’s waterways. Today, operating under the Department of Homeland Security, the Coast Guard seamlessly balances defense readiness, environmental protection, and relentless search-and-rescue missions.
Connecticut Connection: A Pillar of Coast Guard Heritage
The State of Connecticut holds a cherished and foundational place in Coast Guard history. Known affectionately as a premier Coast Guard hub, New London and the surrounding southeastern region have long been deeply intertwined with the service.
Most notably, Connecticut is the proud home of the United States Coast Guard Academy. Relocated to the scenic banks of the Thames River in New London in 1932, the Academy serves as the premier institution for training the service’s future commissioned officers. Here, generations of cadets are molded in mind, body, and character, learning the intricate lore of the sea and the unyielding tenets of honorable leadership.
Connecticut is also the proud homeport of the majestic Barque Eagle—the legendary three-masted tall ship used as a floating classroom for Academy cadets and the only active-duty sailing vessel in U.S. military service. From the historic stations dotting Long Island Sound to advanced research centers, Connecticut’s deep maritime roots continue to nourish the heartbeat of the Coast Guard.
A Cheerful Salute to Our Guardians
Reaching 236 years of service is a remarkable milestone that deserves our loudest cheers and deepest reverence. Whether battling fierce open-ocean gales, securing bustling ports, or training the next generation of leaders along the Thames River, the Coast Guard has never wavered.
Happy 236th Birthday to the United States Coast Guard! Thank you for 236 years of courage, vigilance, and grace under pressure. May the wind always be at your back, and may you always remain safe as you keep our nation secure. Semper Paratus!
I am not a veteran. I am a member of the Civil Air Patrol, the United States Air Force Auxiliary. But in 1991, personal loss brought me to a place I never left.
Over two decades later, that loss led me to the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown, Connecticut, where I took on the coordination of Wreaths Across America — which grew into the largest and fastest growing veterans program in the state. I didn’t do it for recognition. I did it for them.
In 2016 I founded the Connecticut Veterans Bulletin. Not because I served, but because I believe those who did deserve to be honored, connected, and kept alive.
Twenty-two veterans die by suicide every day. I knew about that number before it became a hashtag. I knew it personally, long before anyone was talking about it.
This publication exists because that number is unacceptable. Because every veteran in Connecticut deserves to know someone gives a damn.
That someone is me.