The United States Coast Guard celebrates their birthday every year on August 4. The Coast Guard protects our country’s coasts, performing search and rescues and inspections. Learn more about the Coast Guard and how to celebrate their birthday by reading more from Operation Rubix.

In the year 2012, the Coast Guard responded to 19,790 search and rescue cases, saving 3,560 lives. They also conducted 25,500 container inspections, 5,000 facility safety and marine pollution-related inspections, and 1,195 cargo transfer monitors to protect our country and our environment.

Did you know the Coast Guard is the nation’s oldest continuous maritime service? The first-ever Coast Guard was created in 1790 when Congress authorized the construction of 10 vessels, which would be used to enforce trade laws and federal tariffs. Before the Coast Guard was known as the Coast Guard, it was called the Revenue Marine and the Revenue Cutter Service.

The Coast Guard has several missions, do you know all 11? These missions include port, waterway, 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; and assistance to other law enforcement.

The motto of the Coast Guard is “Semper Paratus,” or always prepared. The Coast Guard’s core values are honor, respect, devotion, and duty. They are part of Homeland Security and serve as the nation’s front line agency when it comes to enforcing our laws at sea, protecting the marine environment, and saving lives.

Consider honoring the Coast Guard this August 4. Celebrate a member of the Coast Guard that you may know, or pay your respects to these individuals in other ways. At Operation Rubix, we offer services to veterans and active military members who are interested in mental health services. We can connect you or a loved one to helpful resources, so feel free to email us at info@operationrubix.org for further information.