CLEVELAND - U.S. Coast Guard men and women, stationed around the world will celebrate the service’s 216th Birthday on Friday, August 4, 2006.

“I am incredibly proud of our dedicated Coast Guard men and women,” said Adm. Thad Allen, commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. “As a multi-mission, maritime, military service, we continue to grow and evolve to help guarantee the maritime safety, security and stewardship of our oceans and waterways. Whether it’s saving lives, supporting the global war on terrorism, preserving our maritime environment and its resources, or protecting our vital waters for trade and commerce, Coast Guard men and women perform their duties every day with relentless courage, commitment and ingenuity.”

The U.S. Coast Guard, one of America’s five Armed Services, was created in 1790 when the first U.S. Congress authorized the construction of a fleet of “revenue marine” cutters. It received its present name in 1915 when the revenue Cutter Service merged with the U.S. Life-Saving Service. The service expanded in size and responsibilities as the nation grew and today is responsible for many diverse missions.

The U.S. Coast Guard, one of the oldest organizations in the federal government, continues to protect the nation throughout its long history. Coast Guardsmen have served proudly in every one of the nation’s conflicts including providing waterborne security in the ongoing actions in Iraq.

Maritime homeland defense remains one of the Coast Guard’s most important functions and has a renewed emphasis since September 11, 2001. The men and women of the Ninth Coast Guard District remain �Always Ready’ to guard those who work, live and play on the U.S. Great Lakes and protect the waters they enjoy.

The Ninth Coast Guard District employs more than 7,700 active duty, reserve, auxiliary, and civilian members. The Ninth District includes four (4) Sector Offices, four (4) Marine Safety Units, two (2) Air Stations, two (2) Air Facilities, nine (9) cutters, and 46 small boat Stations.

The Ninth Coast Guard District units are responsible for more than 1,500 miles of international border and 6,700 miles of U.S. shoreline, spanning eight states and all five Great Lakes.

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