Stamp honors Coast Guard’s 225th birthday

BOSTON (LOG NEWS SERVICE) — The U.S. Postal Service has issued a stamp honoring the U.S. Coast Guard for its role in protecting the security of the nation and advancing its vital maritime interests.

The stamp, from an oil painting by renowned aviation artist William S. Phillips, depicts two icons of the Coast Guard: the cutter Eagle, a three-masted sailing ship known as “America’s Tall ship,” and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, the standard rescue aircraft of the Coast Guard. 

The commanding officer of the Eagle and representatives of the U.S. Postal Service unveiled the special edition stamp commemorating the Coast Guard’s 225th birthday on Aug. 4 during ceremonies held Aug. 7 at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island.

One hundred years ago the Coast Guard received its current name, when President Woodrow Wilson signed into law the 1915 “Act to Create the Coast Guard.”

However, the origins of the Coast Guard go back to 1790 when President George Washington signed into law an act that provided for a fleet of 10 revenue cutters to aid in the collection of duties on goods imported into the United States.

In a release announcing the issuance of the stamp the USPS said that the Coast Guard now has 38,000 active-duty men and women whose duties — in addition to saving lives at sea — include enforcing maritime law, overseeing aids to navigation, carry out icebreaking operations, protecting the marine environment, responding to oil spills and water pollution, ensuring port security, supporting scientific research at sea, combing terrorism and aiding in the nation’s defense.

The Coast Guard stamp is issued as a first-class mail Forever stamp.