The Postal Service™ celebrates the 225th anniversary of the United Staes Coast Guard by dedicating the United States Coast Guard Forever® stamp on August 4, 2015, at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC.
This Forever stamp honors the U.S. Coast Guard for its role in protecting the security of the nation and advancing vital maritime interests. In an oil painting on masonite, renowned aviation artist William S. Phillips of Ashland, OR, depicts two icons of the Coast Guard: the cutter Eagle, a three-masted sailing ship often called “America’s Tall Ship,” and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, the service’s standard rescue aircraft. Art director Phil Jordan of Falls Church, VA, designed the stamp.
Postmasters are encouraged to salute the U.S. Coast Guard through special dedication ceremonies among nearly 300 Coast Guard units nationwide that are located along coastal and inland waterways.
Possible Special Dedication Ceremony Scenarios
n Have a Coast Guard official provide background on the history and function of the U.S. Coast Guard Station where the event is taking place along with its role in significant events.
n Invite individuals rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard to share their stories and provide thanks to their rescuers.
n If possible, ask the U.S. Coast Guard to conduct rescue drills, safe boating demonstrations, etc.
This publicity kit contains everything needed to conduct a successful event:
n U.S. Coast Guard unit locations;
n U.S. Coast Guard history;
n Sample media advisory;
n Sample news release;
n Sample speech;
n Corporate Communications field manager listing for assistance in publicizing local events; and
n Government Relations contacts listing for inviting elected officials.
Poster-sized blowups of the United States Coast Guard Forever stamps can be purchased through Colours Imaging, http://coloursimaging.com, by contacting Zach Scott, zscott@coloursinc.com, or 703–379–1121.
U.S. Coast Guard Unit Locations
To find a Coast Guard unit near you, visit: http://www.uscg.mil/top/units/. Scroll down to districts and within each district scroll down to units, then to Public Affairs.
If you need assistance in reaching out to your local Coast Guard unit, please email Mark Saunders at mark.r.saunders@usps.gov. To expedite the process, please include the name and location of the Coast Guard unit as well as any ideas or suggestions on the type of event you would like to conduct.
Additionally, the Coast Guard recommends reaching out to contacts with the Coast Guard City program which recognizes municipalities or counties that show extraordinary support to their local Coast Guard units. The program encourages other cities to develop similar programs and activities that support Coast Guard service members in their community. The program also raises the visibility of the Coast Guard and its missions.
Geri McCaleb
Mayor
City of Grand Haven
519 Washington Avenue
Grand Haven, MI 49417
Frank Jager
Mayor
City of Eureka
531 K Street
Eureka, CA 95501
Sandy Stimpson
Mayor
City of Mobile
PO Box 1827
Mobile, AL 36633
Bill Saffo
Mayor
City of Wilmington
102 North 3rd Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Sandra Roumagoux
Mayor
City of Newport
169 SW Coast Hwy
Newport, OR 97365
Trish Herrera Spencer
Mayor
City of Alameda
2263 Santa Clara Avenue, Room 320
Alameda, CA 94501
Patricia B. Branson
Mayor
City of Kodiak
710 Mill Bay Road
Kodiak, AK 99615
Frank Isganitis
Mayor
City of Rockland
270 Pleasant Street
Rockland, ME 04841
Kenneth I. Wright
Mayor
City of Portsmouth
801 Crawford Street
Portsmouth, VA 23704
Michael Estes
Mayor
City of Traverse City
520 North Spruce Street
Traverse City, MI 49684
Mim McConnell
Mayor
City and Borough of Sitka
100 Lincoln Street
Sitka, AK 99835
Arline LaMear
Mayor
City of Astoria
1095 Duane Street
Astoria, OR 97103
George Cretekos
Mayor
City of Clearwater
112 South Osceola Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33756
Donna D. Holaday
Mayor
City of Newburyport
60 Pleasant Street
PO Box 550
Newburyport, MA 01950
Kenneth Smith, Sr.
Mayor
City of Kingsland
107 South Lee Street
PO Box 250
Kingsland, GA 31548
Daryl Justin Finizio
Mayor
City of New London
181 State Street
New London, CT 06320
Edward J. Mahaney, Jr.
Mayor
City of Cape May
643 Washington Street
Cape May, NJ 08204
Joseph W. Peel
Mayor
City of Elizabeth City
306 East Colonial Avenue
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
Thad Birmingham
Mayor
City of Sturgeon Bay
421 Michigan Street
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Mr. W. Russell Overman
Manager, Carteret County
302 Courthouse Square
Beaufort, NC 28516
Coast Guard History
The U.S. Coast Guard traces its history to a law enacted in August 1790 by President George Washington, at the urging of Alexander Hamilton. The law provided for a fleet of 10 vessels, or “revenue cutters,” to aid in the collecting of duties on goods imported into the United States. This small fleet — given the big task of guarding the Atlantic coast and thwarting smugglers and pirates trying to evade tariff restrictions — was the genesis of what eventually became the Revenue Cutter Service, forerunner of today’s Coast Guard.
The responsibilities of the fleet increased in its first combat operation during the undeclared naval war of 1798–1800 with France, when Congress instructed it to cooperate with the U.S. Navy at the President’s discretion. Prior to this time, since there was no Navy, the cutters served as the nation\u0027s only armed force afloat. Ever since then, the Coast Guard has played a supportive role in the country’s defense during times of war.
The Coast Guard received its current name in 1915, when President Woodrow Wilson signed into law the “Act to Create the Coast Guard.” This legislation combined the Revenue Cutter Service and the Life-Saving Service, which had been established as a separate agency in 1878, into one organization. The 1915 legislation also made explicit that the Coast Guard was “a part of the military forces of the United States” and would “operate as a part of the Navy. . . in time of war or when the President shall so direct.”
The Coast Guard later absorbed other long-standing maritime agencies, most notably the U.S. Lighthouse Service in 1939 and the Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation (comprising the earlier Steamboat Inspection Service and the Bureau of Navigation) in 1942.
The search-and-rescue mission of the Coast Guard is perhaps the one most familiar to the public today. This mission took root during the 19th century, when the government directed revenue cutters to search for vessels and persons in distress at sea. In this often hazardous enterprise, the helicopter became a valuable aid soon after its introduction in the 1940s. Two events in the 1950s demonstrated the unique capabilities of this new flying machine: In 1955, Coast Guard helicopters rescued scores of Connecticut residents from floodwaters caused by two late-summer hurricanes, and on Christmas Eve of that year a single helicopter rescued 138 victims of a massive flood in northern California. Not long after these dramatic incidents, helicopters joined cutters as icons of the Coast Guard.
Hurricane Katrina
One of the largest response-and-rescue efforts in the history of the Coast Guard took place in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina slammed the Gulf Coast. As the city of New Orleans was deluged by 20-foot high floodwaters, tens of thousands of residents were left clinging to rooftops or huddling in attics. Some 5,000 members of the Coast Guard, including units from across the nation, rushed to the scene, and a large percentage of the Coast Guard helicopter fleet deployed.
The effort was complicated by the unusual challenges of urban search and rescue, including downed wires that posed a hazard to helicopter rotor blades. Some rescue swimmers had to borrow fire axes to cut through rooftops to reach people trapped in attics. At one point, Coast Guard personnel were rescuing 750 people an hour by boat and 100 people an hour by air. The final tally of persons rescued and evacuated from rooftops, flooded homes, and stricken hospitals exceeded 33,000.
The Coast Guard’s incredibly successful response to Katrina was a testament to its culture of service and exemplified its longtime motto, “Semper Paratus — Always Ready.”
The Coast Guard today has more than 49,000 active-duty men and women; 7,300 Reservists; 8,300 civilian employees, and 30,000 volunteer auxiliary personnel. In addition to saving lives at sea, their responsibilities include enforcing maritime law, overseeing aids to navigation, carrying out icebreaking operations, protecting the marine environment, responding to oil spills and water pollution, ensuring port security, supporting scientific research at sea, combating terrorism, and aiding in the nation’s defense.
During an average day, Coast Guard personnel assist more than 300 people in distress, save more than $2 million in property, board 90 large vessels for port safety checks, conduct 120 law enforcement boardings, and investigate more than a dozen marine accidents.
Sample Media Advisory
Contact: Name
xxx-xxx-xxxx
xxxxx@usps.gov
usps.com/news
[Name] Post Office Salutes Coast Guard’s 225th Anniversary
[Optional: Recognizes Rescuers of Local Residents]
A high-resolution image of the stamp is available for media use only by emailing mark.r.saunders@usps.gov.
WHAT: Special dedication ceremony for United States Coast Guard Forever Stamp. The event is free and open to the public.
WHO: [U.S. Coast Guard official]
[U.S. Postal Service official]
[Names of special guests. i.e. individuals who have been rescued by the Coast Guard and their rescuers.]
WHEN: [Day, Date, Time]
WHERE: [Event location name]
[Street address]
[City, State, ZIP + 4]
[Special instructions for entering the location or directions.]
BACKGROUND: The Postal Service celebrates the 225th anniversary of the Coast Guard and raises awareness of its role in protecting the security of the nation and advancing vital maritime interests by dedicating the United States Coast Guard Forever stamp. The stamp depicts the cutter Eagle, a three-masted sailing ship often called “America’s Tall Ship,” and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter, the standard rescue aircraft of the Coast Guard.
[Insert background here on individuals appearing at the event who were rescued and their rescuers, if applicable.]
[Insert background history of the coast guard station where the ceremony is taking place.]
During an average day, U.S. Coast Guard personnel assist more than 300 people in distress, save more than $2 million in property, board 90 large vessels for port safety checks, conduct 120 law enforcement boardings and investigate more than a dozen marine accidents.
# # #
Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at http://usps.com/news/welcome.htm.
Reporters interested in speaking with regional Postal Service media contacts should go to http://about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf.
Follow us on http://twitter.com/usps and like us at http://facebook.com/usps. For more information about the Postal Service, go to http://usps.com and http://usps.com/postalfacts.
Sample News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Name
xxx-xxx-xxxx
Date xxxxx@usps.gov
usps.com/news
[Name] Post Office Salutes United States Coast Guard’s 225th
Anniversary with a Forever Stamp
A high-resolution image of the stamp is available for media use only by emailing mark.r.saunders@usps.gov.
City, State — The [Name] Post Office commemorated the United States Coast Guard on its 225th anniversary today by dedicating a Forever stamp to honor its role in protecting the security of the nation and advancing the nation’s vital maritime interests. Optional: Members of the [Name] of Coast Guard unit were recognized for their heroism in rescuing [Name].
“Quote,” said Postal Official [Title and Name].
Joining [Name] in the ceremony were Coast Guard [Title and Name], etc.
“Optional quote” from [Name] of individual rescued.
“Quote,” said Guard Official [Name].
The special dedication ceremony took place at [Name of Location].
Renowned aviation artist William Phillips of Ashland, OR, depicts in an oil painting on Masonite, 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. Phil Jordan of Falls Church, VA, was the art director for the stamp.
The U.S. Coast Guard is a multi-mission agency that during an average day, assists more than 300 people in distress, saves more than $2 million in property, boards 90 vessels for port safety checks, conducts 120 law enforcement boardings, and investigates more than a dozen marine accidents.
The U.S. Coast Guard today has more than 49,000 active-duty men and women; 7,300 Reservists; 8,300 civilian employees, and 30,000 volunteer auxiliary personnel. In addition to saving lives at sea, members of the Coast Guard enforce maritime law, oversee aids to navigation, conduct icebreaking operations, protect the marine environment, respond to oil spills and water pollution, ensure port security, support scientific research at sea, combat terrorism, and aid in the nation’s defense.
U.S. Coast Guard History
The U.S. Coast Guard traces its history to August 1790 and a law signed by President George Washington. The law provided for a fleet of 10 vessels, or “revenue cutters,” to aid in collecting duties on goods imported into the United States. This fleet guarded the Atlantic coast and thwarted smugglers and pirates trying to evade tariffs. It was the genesis of what became the Revenue Cutter Service, forerunner of today’s Coast Guard.
The U.S. Coast Guard received its current name in 1915, under President Woodrow Wilson. The Revenue Cutter Service and the Life-Saving Service, which had been established as a separate agency in 1878, were combined into one organization. The 1915 legislation also made explicit that the Coast Guard was “a part of the military forces of the United States” and would “operate as a part of the Navy. . . in time of war or when the President shall so direct.”
Nation’s Lifeguard
The search-and-rescue mission of the Coast Guard is perhaps the mission most familiar to the public today. The helicopter became a valuable aid in the cause soon after its introduction in the 1940s. In 1955, Coast Guard helicopters rescued scores of Connecticut residents from floodwaters caused by two late-summer hurricanes, and on Christmas Eve of that year a single helicopter rescued 138 victims of a massive flood in northern California. Not long after these dramatic incidents, helicopters joined cutters as icons of the Coast Guard.
Hurricane Katrina
One of the largest response-and-rescue efforts in the history of the Coast Guard took place in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina slammed the Gulf Coast. As the city of New Orleans was deluged by 20-foot high floodwaters, tens of thousands of residents were left clinging to rooftops or huddling in attics. Some 5,000 personnel rushed to the scene, and a large percentage of the Coast Guard helicopter fleet deployed.
The effort was complicated by the challenges of urban search and rescue, including downed wires that posed a hazard to helicopter rotor blades. Some rescue swimmers had to borrow fire axes to cut through rooftops to reach people trapped in their attics. At one point, Coast Guard personnel were rescuing 750 people an hour by boat and 100 people an hour by air. The final tally of persons rescued and evacuated from rooftops, flooded homes, and stricken hospitals exceeded 33,000.
The Coast Guard’s incredible response to Katrina was a testament to its culture of service and exemplified its longtime motto, “Semper Paratus — Always Ready.”
Text on the Back of the Stamp Sheet (Verso Text)
“Semper Paratus — Always Ready” (Coast Guard motto)
The United States Coast Guard is a multi-mission military service that has helped ensure the safety and prosperity of the nation for 225 years.
The Coast Guard traces its history to 1790, when rampant maritime smuggling was starving the fledgling nation of desperately needed tariff revenue. At the urging of Alexander Hamilton, considered to be the Coast Guard’s founder, President George Washington approved the construction of a fleet of 10 boats, or revenue cutters, to serve as an armed customs enforcement service. These cutters and their brave crews were the forerunners of today’s Coast Guard.
Today, on America’s waterways and oceans, the Coast Guard is the nation’s first responder. In addition to saving lives at sea, the Coast Guard enforces maritime law, maintains shipping lanes, breaks ice, protects the marine environment, responds to oil spills and water pollution, ensures port security, and combats terrorism. In times of emergency, the Coast Guard is ready for action, working with maritime law enforcement and military partners. The Coast Guard has served alongside the other armed forces in nearly every armed conflict in the nation’s history.
From across the nation and every walk of life, through basic training at Cape May, NJ, or the Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT, service members embody the Coast Guard’s core values of honor, respect and devotion to duty.
Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks
Customers have 60 days to obtain the first-day-of-issue postmark by mail. They may purchase new stamps at their local Post Office, at The Postal Store website at http://usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-STAMP-24. They should affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes (to themselves or others), and place them in larger envelopes addressed to:
United States Coast Guard Stamp
Special Events
PO Box 92282
Washington, DC 20090-2282
After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for postmarks up to a quantity of 50. There is a 5-cent charge for each additional postmark over 50. All orders must be postmarked by October 3, 2015.
Ordering First-Day Covers
The Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamp issues and Postal Service stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue postmark. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the quarterly USA Philatelic catalog, online at http://usps.com/shop, or by calling 800-782-6724. Customers may request a free catalog by calling 800-782-6724 or writing to:
U.S. Postal Service
Catalog Request
PO Box 219014
Kansas City, MO 64121-9014
Philatelic Products
There are nine philatelic products for this stamp issue:
|
473206 Press Sheet with Die-cut, $58.80
(print quantity 500).
473208 Press Sheet without Die-cut, $58.80
(print quantity 1,000).
|
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473210 Keepsake (stamp pane with Digital Color Postmark), $11.95.
|
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473216 First-Day Cover, $0.93.
|
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473221 Digital Color Postmark, $1.64.
|
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473224, Framed Art, $39.95.
|
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473230 Ceremony Program, $6.95.
473231 Stamp Deck Card, $0.95.
473232 Stamp Deck Card with Digital Color Postmark, $1.99.
|
The Postal Service receives no tax dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.
# # #
Please Note: For broadcast quality video and audio, photo stills and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at http://usps.com/news/welcome.htm.
Reporters interested in speaking with regional Postal Service media contacts should go to http://about.usps.com/news/media-contacts/usps-local-media-contacts.pdf.
Follow us on http://twitter.com/usps and like us at http://facebook.com/usps. For more information about the Postal Service, go to http://usps.com and http://usps.com/postalfacts.
Sample Speech
United States Postal Service
United States Coast Guard Forever Stamp
Special Dedication Stock Speech
August 2015
[Not to be used prior to August 4, 2015]
Thank you for your kind introduction!
[Or if no introduction is given:]
Good [morning/afternoon/evening.] I’m [Name and Title] from the United States Postal Service.
It’s a pleasure to be with you today to help celebrate the 225-year history of the United States Coast Guard!
We at the Postal Service are long-time supporters and admirers of the Coast Guard and its magnificent record of service to Americans. In fact, today’s event is the latest in a series of special commendations honoring the Coast Guard over the years.
In 1945, we issued a stamp saluting the Coast Guard’s accomplishments in World War II. We also issued a commemorative Coast Guard postal card in 1965.
And, this isn’t the first time we’ve celebrated a significant Coast Guard anniversary. In 1990, our Lighthouses booklet of stamps honored the service’s 200th anniversary. The booklet cover highlighted the Coast Guard insignia and proudly read, “200 years.” One of the stamps inside showed a Coast Guard cutter in the foreground.
In 1997, the women of the Coast Guard and their counterparts in the other armed services were all honored with a new stamp.
And in 2013, we released the New England Coastal Lighthouses Forever stamps. The set includes a stamp depicting the famous Boston Light — by law, the only lighthouse still fully manned by the Coast Guard.
Also in 2013, we honored members of the armed services awarded the Medal of Honor for their valiant and heroic service in World War II. Among the 464 recipients we listed on the stamp sheet was Coast Guard Signalman First Class Douglas A. Munro. He died heroically in Guadalcanal while navigating his landing craft to rescue a detachment of Marines pinned down by enemy fire.
So our relationship with the Coast Guard is enduring, based on the gratitude, pride, and admiration of all Americans for the work it performs each day. That’s why this event — and the stamp we are issuing — is so special.
Like most of our commemorative stamps, this is a Forever stamp, which means its value will always equal the current price to mail a one-ounce First-Class Mail letter.
The artwork on the stamp depicts a Coast Guard helicopter and the Eagle, the service’s magnificent, square-rigged, tall ship. It’s a reminder that the Coast Guard — like the Postal Service — has its roots in the very early years of this country’s history and today remains vital to the nation’s welfare.
Today’s Coast Guard has a multi-faceted mission. In addition to saving lives at sea, it enforces maritime law, and provides aid to navigation, protection of the marine environment, and icebreaking operations. The Coast Guard also responds to environmental threats, and supports port security and scientific research at sea, while combating terrorism and aiding in the nation’s defense.
To put this mission in a more human perspective, on a typical workday, Coast Guard personnel:
n Assist more than 300 people in distress;
n Save more than $2 million in property;
n Board 90 large vessels for port safety checks;
n Conduct 120 law enforcement boardings; and
n Investigate more than a dozen marine accidents.
The work of the Coast Guard in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina is just one example. When the devastating storm slammed the Gulf Coast in 2005, more than 5,000 Coast Guard servicemen and women helped rescue residents whose homes and neighborhoods had been flooded or were destroyed.
People everywhere watched in awe as televised images of Coast Guard personnel rescuing as many as 750 people per hour flashed around the world. Rescues included dramatic helicopter interventions as well as units in small boats navigating flooded streets to rescue stranded victims.
All told, the Coast Guard rescued more than 33,000 victims of Katrina — a testament to the culture of service and commitment evidenced in its motto, “Semper Paratus,” (pronounced SEM-pur Par-AH-tus) which means: “Always Ready.”
Not all the Coast Guard’s dramatic achievements receive this much attention. Many times, Coast Guard servicemen and women brave savage storms or troubled waters far from public view to assist people in need.
But the gratitude for assistance — often delivered at great risk to the Coast Guard personnel involved — is no less heartfelt from those who benefit from it.
That’s why I’m pleased to introduce you to [Name] from our local Coast Guard unit [Name of Coast Guard Unit] who performed heroically by coming to the assistance of citizens in danger.
[Insert description of event, ask U.S. Coast Guard Personnel and, if present, the people they assisted to stand and be recognized.]
[Applause]
As the commercial and security needs of our nation continue to grow, the Coast Guard’s mission is expanding.
At the Postal Service, we have no doubt the Coast Guard is up to future challenges. It’s evident in the professionalism and dedication of its personnel.
And it’s clear in the heroic ways Coast Guard personnel such as [Name(s) OF USCG Personnel Present] perform their duties.
With today’s dedication of the United States Coast Guard Forever Stamp, the men and women of the Postal Service salute the Coast Guard for its more than two centuries of contributions to the nation’s welfare. We look forward to working with the men and women of this remarkable service for another 225 years.
Thank you.
# # #
Area Corporate Communications Managers
Please feel free to contact your area communications manager for assistance in promoting your event.
Capital Metro
George Maffett
Telephone: 301-548-1465
email: george.t.maffett@usps.gov
Eastern
Paul Smith
Telephone: 215-863-5055
email: paul.f.smith@usps.gov
Great Lakes
Ed Moore
Telephone: 313-225-5452
email: edward.r.moore@usps.gov
Pacific
Don Smeraldi
Telephone: 858-674-3149
email: don.a.smeraldi@usps.gov
Northeast
Maureen Marion
Telephone: 860-285-7029
email: maureen.p.marion@usps.gov
Southern
Polly Gibbs
Telephone: 214-819-8704
email: polly.j.gibbs@usps.gov
Western
John Friess
Telephone: 303-313-5130
email: john.g.friess@usps.gov
Congressional State Representative Listing
202.268.XXXX
— Stamp Services,
Marketing and Sales, 7-23-15
