Happy 221st Birthday to the US Coast Guard

"From humble beginnings, the United States Coast Guard has emerged as a model within our government and, indeed, around the world. I am so very proud to serve with you and your families who make possible everything their loved ones do for our Nation.
The Joint Chiefs and I salute the extraordinary men, women and families of our United States Coast Guard, Reserve and Auxiliary. America is safer and more secure because of you."  Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

From it's humble beginnings in 1790 when President George Washington created the Revenue Cutter Service, the US Coast Guard has grown into the nations first responder on the water, America’s Maritime Guardian

By law, the Coast Guard has 11 missions:

• Ports, waterways, and coastal security
• Drug interdiction
• Aids to navigation
• Search and rescue
• Living marine resources
• Marine safety
• Defense readiness
• Migrant interdiction
• Marine environmental protection
• Ice operations
• Other law enforcement

The Coast Guard's motto is Semper Paratus, meaning "Always Ready."