WHEREAS, the United States Coast Guard was established on August 4, 1790 as the Revenue-Marine by the first Congress of the newly created United States of America; it was the nation’s only armed force at sea tasked with enforcing federal tariff and trade laws and the prevention of smuggling; and
WHEREAS, in 1915, the Revenue Cutter Service, the successor of the Revenue-Marine, merged with the United States Life-Saving Service by congressional action, forming the modern United States Coast Guard; and
WHEREAS, today, the Coast Guard has grown to include more than 40,000 active-duty service members, more than 7,000 reservists, and 31,000 auxiliary members; and
WHEREAS, Coast Guard Base Elizabeth City and United States Coast Guard Sector North Carolina in Wilmington represent the heart of the Coast Guard presence in the state of North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina is proud to be home to over 1,900 men and women serving as Coast Guardsmen on active duty and as Reservists; and
WHEREAS, the Coast Guard motto, Semper Paratus, represents the continued commitment of the United States Coast Guard to remain ever vigilant and always ready to safeguard the people of North Carolina; and
WHEREAS, North Carolina has a long and proud history of supporting our military service members, their families, and their communities; and
WHEREAS, today, we seek to demonstrate our sincere gratitude and appreciation towards those who serve and have served in the United States Coast Guard and their families;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim August 4, 2021, as the “BIRTHDAY OF THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.
