HAPPY 214TH BIRTHDAY TO THE COAST GUARD

July 30, 2004

HAPPY 214TH BIRTHDAY TO THE COAST GUARD
NASCAR Driver and Team on Hand to Celebrate

PORTSMOUTH, Va. – NASCAR driver Justin Labonte and his race team will be on hand Saturday afternoon during the annual Coast Guard Day Picnic at the Integrated Support Command to wish a Happy Birthday to America’s oldest, continuous sea-going service.

“I’m honored to celebrate the 214th anniversary of such a great military service as the Coast Guard by spending the day with them,” said Labonte, NASCAR Busch Series driver of the #44 Coast Guard “Shield of Freedom” car. “The more I see the more impressed I am by these dedicated men and women and the many things they do that impact our lives and national security.”

In addition to meeting Labonte and his race team, all members of the Coast Guard family will be able to participate in numerous games and events, including a rock climbing wall, dunk tank, volleyball tournament and survivor Jr. obstacle course.

The Coast Guard, one of America’s five armed services, traces it roots to Aug. 4, 1790, when the first Congress authorized the construction of a fleet of “revenue marine” cutters to enforce the fledgling nations tariff and trade laws and protect the collection of federal revenue. The service expanded in size and responsibilities as the nation grew and today is responsible for many diverse missions; including maritime law enforcement, aiding mariners in distress, maintaining maritime navigation aids, protection of the marine environment, merchant marine licensing and merchant vessel safety, and serving as the lead maritime homeland security agency.

The service received its present name in 1915 under an act of Congress when the Revenue Cutter Service merged with the Life-Saving Service.

The Coast Guard is one of the oldest organizations of the federal government and, until the Navy Department was established in 1798, served as the nation’s only armed force afloat. The Coast Guard has continued to protect the nation throughout its long history, and Coast Guardsmen have served proudly in every one of the nation’s conflicts, including Operation Iraqi Freedom. Currently, there are about 400 Coast Guard personnel overseas serving in support of OIF.

The picnic is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and is free to all Coast Guard active duty, reservists, dependants, retirees, auxiliarists, and DHS employees. All other military is $5. Anyone wishing access to the event must show proper military ID.

HAPPY 214TH BIRTHDAY TO THE COAST GUARD
NASCAR Driver and Team on Hand to Celebrate

The service received its present name in 1915 under an act of Congress when the Revenue Cutter Service merged with the Life-Saving Service.

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