HONOLULU — The U.S. Coast Guard Reserve will celebrate 75 years of service, their diamond anniversary, to the United States Friday.
The theme for this anniversary is Thank You, as the organization would like to thank its members for their enduring commitment to professionalism, patriotism and preparedness and also to thank the American public for their continued faith and support.
"The nearly 7,000 men and women that make up the Coast Guard Reserve want to use the opportunity of our 75th anniversary to thank the American public for the privilege of allowing us to serve them," said Master Chief Petty Officer Eric L. Johnson, reserve force master chief.
The Auxiliary and Reserve Act of 1941, signed Feb. 19, 1941, designated the Coast Guard Reserve as a military branch of the active duty service. Since World War II, Coast Guard reservists have served in every major conflict or crisis the U.S. has faced. From the beaches of Normandy and Iwo Jima to the shores of the Gulf Coast for Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The Coast Guard 14th district serves as home or a service location to more than 150 reservists from Hawaii to Guam.
"I cannot applaud enough the great work our reservists continually perform, time and time again, since 1941," said Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, commandant, U.S. Coast Guard.
For 75 years, the Coast Guard Reserve has taken on the job of utility responder, meaning reservists have the unique ability to respond to a multitude of crises and amplify the service's ability to ensure the safety, security and stewardship of America's waters.
"The Coast Guard depends on the Reserve Force to be always ready to mobilize with critical competencies in boat operations, contingency planning and response, expeditionary warfare, marine safety, port security, law enforcement and mission support," said Rear Adm. Kurt B. Hinrichs, director of Reserve and Military Personnel.
The Coast Guard Reserve is a multi-mission workforce ready to respond to a variety of threats to the United States and its people. Whether the need is related to a domestic man-made or natural disaster or requires an international deployment in support of the Department of Defense, Coast Guard reservists remain Semper Paratus - Always Ready to answer their country's call.
The Coast Guard Reserve has much more to share, so please visit their website at http://reserve.uscg.mil/thankyou and follow them on social media at Facebook, Twitter (@USCGReserve) and Instagram (#USCGR75) for the most current information. A high-resolution image of the Coast Guard Reserve's 75th anniversary logo is available at https://www.dvidshub.net. We'll also be sharing local stories on our local social media at Facebook (USCGHawaiiPacific) and Twitter (@USCGHawaiiPac).
For more details on the national campaign, please contact Petty Officer Pam Boehland or Petty Officer Sara Romero at 212-514-4289 during regular business hours and 917-703-0983 after hours.