VFW Celebrates the Coast Guard’s 236th Birthday

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) proudly joins a grateful nation in celebrating the 236th birthday of the United States Coast Guard. Since its founding on Aug. 4, 1790, as the Revenue Cutter Service, the Coast Guard has safeguarded America's shores, protected our maritime interests and answered the call whenever and wherever duty demands.

While they may be the smallest branch of our Armed Forces, their impact is anything but. Coast Guardsmen have earned a reputation for answering every call with professionalism, courage and selfless service, often in the harshest conditions imaginable.

Now serving under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime and capable of operating as part of the Department of the Navy during times of war, the Coast Guard fulfills a remarkable range of missions. From search and rescue to maritime law enforcement, drug interdiction, environmental protection and national defense, Coast Guardsmen embody their motto, Semper Paratus - Always Ready.

Whether responding to hurricanes, rescuing mariners in distress, interdicting illicit trafficking at sea or deploying alongside fellow service members around the globe, the Coast Guard quietly carries out some of the nation's most demanding missions. Their vigilance protects more than 100,000 miles of U.S. coastline and inland waterways and secures an Exclusive Economic Zone spanning 4.5 million square miles, which is the largest of any nation in the world.

Please join the more than 1.3 million members of the VFW and its Auxiliary in wishing every Coast Guardsman - past and present - a happy 236th birthday. Thank you for always standing the watch.