Briefings & Statements Presidential Message on the Birthday of the United States Coast GuardToday, our Nation celebrates the 236th birthday of the United States Coast Guard, a force of American law enforcement professionals and Coast Guardsmen who stand constant watch over our shores, our waters, and our glorious way of life. From the earliest days of our Republic, Coast Guardsmen have answered every call with the vigilance and grit that define the very best of the American Spirit. This historic investment is putting 21 new cutters and 40 new search and rescue helicopters into service alongside 17 state-of-the-art icebreakers, giving our Coast Guardsmen unequaled reach to patrol our coasts from the Caribbean to the Arctic. Thanks to my Administration’s policies, recruiting numbers have climbed to their highest levels in a generation, and the Coast Guard is once again operating with a confidence and spirit unmatched in its long and glorious history. On this day, we honor the incredible legacy and unique mission of the United States Coast Guard and pay tribute to every Coast Guardsman who has ever served our Nation as well as those who remain “Always Ready” this very hour at home and abroad.