Coast Guard families have a lot on their plate. Whether you are a couple without children or a family of 10, you know what I am talking about. All too often, Coast Guard families feel as though they are the forgotten ones—the branch that supposedly is not really “military”. You and I know that could not be further from the truth. The United States Coast Guard is in fact a military service and is one of the five branches of the US Armed Forces.
In 1915, the deal was sealed, even though the Coast Guard had been around for a long, long time before that. That is neither here nor there though because some naysayers will continue to disagree with you. Well, show them this and tell them to stick it in their hat: Coast Guard Authorization Act
If you don’t feel like reading the White House release, know this, that on October 15, 2010, President Obama stated “[t]oday I have signed into law H.R. 3619, the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010. This Act strengthens the Coast Guard as a military service and branch of the Armed Forces in the Department of Homeland Security by providing organizational flexibility for the Coast Guard and allowing for improvements to its military housing. Additionally, the Act materially enhances the marine safety and maritime security missions of the Coast Guard, and it includes language to implement the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, 2001.”
There you have it folks, a reiteration of the Coast Guard being a military service.
Know this too: Coast Guard Family Organization, Inc. (CGFO) is working hard to get more recognition and programs for Coast Guard families. However, they cannot do it without your feedback. Write them, and also write your Congress reps, and keep yourself informed and be proactive. There are always going to be uninformed people, but we know you are working hard day to day and enduring your own sacrifices and trials just as the millions of other military families throughout the world. So, keep on keepin’ on and give a shout out to CGFO and let them know your needs and thoughts. You have a voice--let it be heard! Write CGFO at admin@coastguardfamily.org
4 comments:
It's always nice to have the fact that we're a military service reiterated every once-in-a-while. Thanks.
~Ryan
I really appreciate that! It's so true that Coast Guard and their families don't get enough recognition compared to the other branches of service.
I will be writing in to Coast Guard Families Organization as well! I didn't know about it! Thank you. When I write them, I think I'll mention that even the smallest base should have an Exchange, at least with uniform items available, and a small Commissary.
Haha, and base housing would be awesome. Even at the smaller bases.
Ryan, It is so a necessary reiteration too! The USCG does a phenomenal job in war/conflict time and in times of peace. Unfortunately, not many folks are aware of the scope of the USCG's missions. We will continue to praise and educate about the USCG as long as we are able. :)
Danielle, That's great! CGFO, in case you weren't aware, is not an official USCG program. CGFO is a nonprofit organization developed to advocate for Coast Guard families, provide resources, share information and offer an outlet to share ideas on how to improve the lives of Coast Guard families. CGFO has a strong focus on the CG spouse and offers an annual scholarship, financial counseling and much more.
Thank you for this post! I agree. It is a VERY NECESSARY reiteration, and I loved the way you wrote it! CGFO is an awesome non-profit program and right now they are very present and active on Facebook, so those of you who are not "liking it" yet, hop on over and search for them there, or I have a link to their page on my Coast Guard Life page on my blog.
Thanks again, ladies!! Your blog is stellar!
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