NEW YORK – The Coast Guard Reserve will celebrate 75 years of serving the United States Feb. 19, 2016. More than 400 Reservists currently serve in the New York Tristate Area.
The theme for this anniversary is “Thank You,” as the organization would like to thank its members for their enduing 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, the most senior enlisted member of the Coast Guard Reserve.
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.
“I cannot applaud enough the great work our reservists continually perform, time and time again, since 1941,” said Adm. Paul F. Zukunft, 25th Commandant of the 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 our website at http://reserve.uscg.mil/thankyou and follow us on social media at Facebook , Twitter and Instagram, #USCGR75, for the most current information. For information 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.