With 3,359 miles of Texas coastline on the Gulf of Mexico, it’s a good thing the U.S. Coast Guard has our back. This military branch goes on rescue missions, protects the environment and keeps an ever-watchful eye on our homeland. Its roots run back to the days of George Washington. February 19 marks the birth of the Coast Guard Reserve, an offshoot created in 1941. This group of part timers has become important to the overall success of our patrollers of the high seas.
The Reserve, about 8,000 strong, functions as a standby when the Coast Guard needs a little more help. There are currently about 385 Coast Guard Reserve members from the Lone Star State. And there are another 1,700 or so Texas members in the Coast Guard full time.
Reservists typically work two weeks each year for the Coast Guard. But members are also called out on more extensive missions, helping with such disasters as hurricanes and floods.
Reservists have also been active during such conflicts as World War II, the Vietnam War and operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. They’ve helped patrol the waters near Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, keeping space shuttle launches safer. And reservists made up the largest number of Coast Guard members who helped in the cleanup effort following the Exxon Valdez oil spill.
In 1994, the Coast Guard created the Sea Partners program. It’s sponsored by the Reserves and aims to teach the public about protecting marine environments. It also teaches the laws that govern that protection. Program members have taught more than 2 million people in person. And Sea Partners has also reached countless others through media campaigns over the years.
For 227 years, the Coast Guard has helped keep this country afloat. And the Reserves have been an important part of the Coast Guard’s mission. Veteran Energy is thankful there are so many brave men and women willing to take part in keeping us safe.
